From the history of the use of mineral waters to treat diseases

“Mineral waters of salt, ferruginous, sulfuric, iodide, carbonic acid, etc. There are as many ways to cure ailments as there are sands at the bottom of the sea.”– wrote a hundred years ago, M. Platen in his “Guide to living according to the laws of nature, to maintain health and to treat without the help of drugs.” The term “ mineral water" came into use in the 16th century, but in everyday life the word " water", and, just like in Ancient Rome, " aquae", - in plural. Origin of the word " aquae" refers to the time when Thales of Miletus (c. 624 - c. 546 BC) - a Greek philosopher and mathematician from Miletus, trying to determine the basis of the material world, came to the conclusion that it was water. Word " aqua" - water, consists of two Greek words - "a" and "qua", the literal translation is from which (implies omnia constant- everything happened, everything is complete).

The first attempt to classify mineral waters by composition belongs to the Greek scientist Archigen (II century). He identified four classes of waters: aquae nitrose, aluminose, saline and sulfurose (alkaline, ferruginous, salty and sulphurous). L.A. Seneca identified sulfur, iron, and alum waters and believed that taste indicated their properties. Archigen recommended sulfur baths for gout, and for bladder diseases he prescribed drinking mineral waters up to 5 liters per day. He believed that it was enough to know the composition of water to prescribe it for treatment. It should be noted that the composition of the water at that time could not be known even approximately.

The composition of mineral waters is discussed by G. Fallopius, the author of one of the first manuals on mineral waters that have survived to our times, published after his death (“ De thermalibus aquis atque metallis", 1556). However, the composition of the waters of Italy, described by Fallopius, was far from true, since the science of the 16th century. Many chemical elements were not yet known. A real breakthrough in the study of mineral waters occurred in the 18th century, after revolutionary discoveries in chemistry, which are mainly associated with the name of A. Lavoisier. The very concept of “mineral waters” (from Lat. minari- dig) was formed during the 19th-20th centuries, when the foundations of balneology (health resorts) and the scientific justification for the use of groundwater for medical purposes were laid.

The first resort in Russia was built by Decree of Peter the Great on the sources of ferruginous Martial waters. Peter I upon his return from Belgium, where he was successfully treated with the waters of the Spa resort. In honor of the Russian Emperor, a drinking pavilion was built at the resort - “Pouhon Pierre Le Grand”. Peter I called the waters of the Belgian resort a source of salvation, and upon returning to Russia he issued a decree to look for key waters in Russia that can be used to treat diseases. The first Russian resort was built in Karelia on the Olonets waters, called Marcial. Marcial waters exceed all known ferrous sources in the world in terms of the content of divalent ferrous iron - up to 100 mg/l. The iron content in the waters of the Belgian ancestor of resorts – Spa, is only 21 mg/l (ferruginous waters – Fe 10 mg/l).

The first cadastre of mineral waters in Russia was compiled by scientists of the Mineralogical Society, created in 1817 in St. Petersburg. Among its founders were academician V.M. Severgin and Professor D.I. Sokolov. According to studies of numerous academic expeditions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. V.M. Severgin described the mineral springs and lakes of Russia, classified them according to a set of characteristics and compiled instructions for their research. The results of the research were summarized in the book “A Method for Testing Mineral Waters, Compiled from the Latest Observations on the Subject,” published in St. Petersburg in 1800. In 1825, the work of the Russian chemist G.I. Hess “Study of the chemical composition and healing effects of Russian mineral waters,” which became the basis of his dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

An important role in the study of medicinal mineral waters was played by the founding in 1863 of the Russian Balneological Society in the Caucasus on the initiative of the director of the Caucasian Mineral Waters resort management, Professor S.A. Smirnova. After 1917 (after the nationalization of resorts), the intensive development of balneology began. In 1921, the Balneological Institute was created in the Caucasian Mineral Waters (in , in 1922 - the Tomsk Balneophysiotherapeutic Institute, and in 1926 the Central Institute of Balneology and Physiotherapy was opened in Moscow.

Chemical composition of mineral waters

Mineral water– complex solutions in which substances are contained in the form of ions, undissociated molecules, gases, colloidal particles.

For a long time, balneologists could not come to a consensus on the chemical composition of many waters, since the anions and cations of mineral waters form very unstable compounds. As Ernst Rutherford said, “ions are cheerful little kids, you can almost see them with your own eyes.” Back in the 1860s. chemist O. Tan pointed out the incorrectness of the salt image of mineral waters, which is why Zheleznovodsk has long been considered a resort with an “unestablished reputation.” At first, the mineral waters of Zheleznovodsk were classified as alkali-ferrous, then they began to combine carbonates with alkalis, and sulfates with alkaline earths, calling these waters “alkali-ferrous (containing sodium carbonate and iron) with a predominance of gypsum (calcium sulfate) and soda (sodium bicarbonate ). Subsequently, the composition of waters began to be determined by the main ions. The composition of the unique Zheleznovodsk springs belongs to the carbon dioxide bicarbonate-sulfate calcium-sodium high-thermal waters, which contain little sodium chloride, which eliminates the risk of irritation of the kidney tissue when used for drinking. Currently, Zheleznovodsk is considered one of the best “kidney” resorts. The mineral waters of this resort contain relatively little iron, up to 6 mg/l, i.e. less than in specific ferruginous waters, which must contain at least 10 mg/l.

In the German “Spa Book”, published in 1907, analyzes of mineral spring waters were first presented in the form of ion tables. The same book about Austrian spas was published in 1914. This type of presentation of mineral waters is currently accepted in Europe. As an example, we give the ionic composition of the waters of one of the most popular springs of the French resort of Vichy, known since the times of the Roman Empire - Vichy Celestins (M - 3.325 g/l; pH - 6.8).

Criteria for classifying waters as “mineral”

Criteria for classifying waters as “mineral” vary to varying degrees among different researchers. They are all united by their origin: that is, mineral waters are waters extracted or brought to the surface from the bowels of the earth. At the state level, in a number of EU countries, certain criteria for classifying waters as mineral waters have been legislatively approved. National regulations regarding the criteria for mineral waters reflect the hydrogeochemical features of the territories that are inherent in each country.

In the regulations of a number of European countries and international recommendations - the Codex Alimentarius, Directives of the European Parliament and the European Council for EU member countries, the definition of “mineral waters” has acquired a broader content.

For example, " Codex Alimentarius" gives the following definition of natural mineral water: Natural mineral water is water that is clearly different from ordinary drinking water because:

• it is characterized by its composition, including certain mineral salts, in a certain ratio, and the presence of certain elements in trace quantities or other components
• it is directly obtained from natural or drilled sources from underground aquifers, for which it is necessary to observe all precautions within the protection zone to avoid any contamination or external influence on the chemical and physical properties of mineral waters;
• it is characterized by the constancy of its composition and stability of flow rate, a certain temperature and corresponding cycles of minor natural fluctuations.

In Russia, the definition of V.V. Ivanov and G.A. Nevraev, given in the work “Classification of underground mineral waters” (1964).

Medicinal mineral waters are natural waters that contain high concentrations of certain mineral (less often organic) components and gases and (or) have some physical properties (radioactivity, environmental reaction, etc.), due to which these waters have an effect on the body human therapeutic effect to one degree or another, which differs from the effect of “fresh” water.

Mineral drinking waters (in accordance with) include waters with a total mineralization of at least 1 g/l or with less mineralization, containing biologically active microcomponents in quantities not lower than balneological standards.

Myths and legends have brought to us from the most distant times evidence that the waters of healing springs have been used since time immemorial. The ancient Greeks, for example, believed that Hercules gained his heroic strength by bathing in a magical spring in the Caucasus, so at one time the mythical hero was even considered the patron of healing waters.

In ancient times, the Greeks built sanctuaries dedicated to the god Asclepius near healing springs (the Romans built temples in honor of Aesculapius in similar places). In Greece, archaeologists have discovered the ruins of an ancient hydropathic hospital, built around the 6th century BC. e. The remains of ancient baths are also found here in the Caucasus, where they not only bathed, but also were treated with mineral waters. Oral legends have been passed down from generation to generation about the miraculous properties of the waters gushing out of the ground here. The names of many sources indicate this. Thus, “Narzan” (“Nart-sana”) translated from Balkar means “heroic drink”.

The healing power of underground waters was a mystery to ancient people. It was sometimes attributed to some mysterious creatures that allegedly lived in the springs. However, scientific attempts have also been made to explain the effectiveness of mineral waters. Greek physician Archigenes, who lived in the 1st century AD. e., one of the first in the world to claim that the secret of groundwater is in its composition. He even began to systematize waters, dividing them into four groups: alkaline, ferruginous, salty and sulfurous.

About two thousand years have passed since then. Today, no one doubts that the power of these waters is due to the substances they contain. Some substances are contained in mineral waters in the form of ions, others in the form of undissociated molecules, and others are colloidal particles. Of course, different mineral waters differ from each other in the set of components and their ratio. Some of these “living waters” are suitable for drinking, others for medicinal baths.

The history of the study and use of mineral waters in Russia is connected with the name of Peter I. By his order, the first hydrotherapy resort in Russia was built on the Marcial (ferruginous) waters in Zaonezhye. Peter I himself was repeatedly treated with these waters, and on his order the first “Doctor’s Rules on how to act with these waters” were drawn up.

In recent years, much attention has been paid to balneotherapy, a science that studies the effect of mineral waters on the human body both in resorts and outside of them. The term "balneotherapy" comes from the Latin "balneum" -

bath, bathing and the Greek “logos” - teaching, that is, literally translated, balneotherapy means the teaching, the science of bathing, bath. The science of balneotherapy is designed to study the composition, physicochemical properties of medicinal mineral waters, as well as indications and contraindications for their use. Not all water can be considered medicinal. For treatment, the waters of underground mineral springs are often used at their natural outlets or where wells are drilled. Groundwater acquires its special chemical composition as it passes through rocks.

Medicinal mineral waters are natural waters that contain large quantities of certain mineral substances, various gases - carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, etc., organic substances or have any unique properties - radioactivity, temperature, etc., due to which these waters have a healing effect on the body.

The basis for the formation of mineral waters is atmospheric precipitation (snow and rain), which, falling underground and passing through rocks, leach various chemicals, become saturated with gases, and are sometimes enriched with radioactive substances. As a result, one or another type of mineral water is formed. The content of mineral substances dissolved in them depends on the natural conditions in which mineral waters are formed. Passing through gypsum, water is enriched with chloride and sulfate components, and through rock salt - sodium chloride. The formation of mineral waters, their chemical and gas composition, occurs over tens and hundreds of thousands of years. The minerals and trace elements contained in the waters are of great importance and give them special healing properties.

Minerals are vital components of nutrition with very diverse physiological functions. They do not have energy value, however, numerous enzymatic processes in the body are impossible without the participation of certain minerals. Living organisms contain various chemical elements. Of the 92 naturally occurring chemical elements, 81 are found in the human body. Conventionally, depending on the concentration of chemical elements in the body, macro- and microelements are distinguished. The content of the former in the body exceeds 0.005% of body weight. These include calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine and sulfur. Microelements are contained in very small quantities, their concentration in tissues does not exceed 0.000001%. This group includes

iron, zinc, iodine, fluorine, copper, selenium, manganese and others. The stability of the chemical composition of the body is one of the prerequisites for human health. To designate all pathological processes caused by deficiency, insufficiency or imbalance of macro- and microelements, the concept microelementoses. It is known that changes in the content of chemical elements caused by environmental, climatic, occupational factors or diseases lead to a deterioration in the condition of the body. Many human diseases are closely related to insufficient intake or content of certain macro- and microelements in the body.

Total mineralization is the total amount of all substances dissolved in water, expressed in grams per liter. The total mineralization may be insignificant (less than 1 g/l), which makes such waters similar to fresh waters. At the same time, the maximum mineralization of mineral waters can reach 350-400 g/l.

Table 1.

Characteristics of mineral waters by degree of mineralization

Waters, the mineralization of which does not exceed 1 g/l, and which do not contain medicinal microcomponents that have a therapeutic effect, are classified as natural table. They are used to quench thirst. Waters with a total mineralization from 1 to 8 g/l are medicinal table waters, They are used as prescribed by a doctor, and are also used as a table drink. Waters with mineralization from 8 to 15 g/l are classified as medicinal. Waters with less mineralization also have medicinal properties, but they contain biologically active components.

Depending on the degree of mineralization, mineral waters can have a hypo-, iso- and hypertonic effect. If hypo- or isotonic mineral waters are prescribed, they are well absorbed and

have a diuretic effect, hypertonic mineral waters are absorbed less actively and have a laxative effect.

Table 2.

The mechanism of action of mineral waters, depending on the degree of mineralization

Water obtained from different depths has different temperatures. Mineral waters can have the opposite effect depending on the temperature. Cold water stimulates the motor function of the stomach and is quickly evacuated. Mineral water, taken warm, relieves spasms well.

Table 3.

Characteristics of mineral waters depending on temperature conditions

The healing properties of mineral water, its chemical essence is determined by six main ions; three cations - sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+) and three anions - chlorine (C1-), sulfate (S04-) and bicarbonate (HCO3). All the diversity of mineral waters is largely created by the various combinations of these magnificent six! So, for example, the group that includes “Borjomi”, “Dilijan”, “Nabeghlavi”, in which hydrocarbonate ions and sodium ions predominate, is called the group of sodium bicarbonate waters. In everyday life they are also called in the old fashioned way - soda, or alkaline.

If sodium ions are combined with chlorine ions, then the water belongs to the group of sodium chloride, or salty, mineral waters. This group includes “Mirgorodskaya” and “Rostovskaya”. The combination of sodium, chlorine and bicarbonate gives a group of hydrocarbonate-chloride sodium mineral waters (they are also called “salt-alkaline”): “Essentuki v„– 4”, “Essentuki v„– 17”, “Arzni”. But “Narzan” contains four main ions: magnesium, calcium, bicarbonate and sulfate, which is why it is called “sulfate-bicarbonate magnesium-calcium mineral water.” Carbon dioxide, or carbonic anhydride, or what we used to call “carbon dioxide” - makes mineral water pleasant to the taste; sparkling water quenches thirst better. We can say that it is thanks to carbon dioxide that many healing mineral waters are formed in giant underground laboratories: dissolved carbon dioxide acts on the surrounding rocks, resulting in the formation of calcium, magnesium and sodium bicarbonates. CO2 owes its birth to such wonderful waters as Narzan, Dilijan, Essentuki, Borjomi and many others.

Carbon dioxide is needed and to stabilize the chemical composition of mineral waters, therefore, before bottling, the water is additionally saturated with carbon dioxide to preserve its healing properties.

We can say with complete confidence that in addition to the six main ions mentioned, almost the entire periodic table is present in mineral waters. Those elements that are contained in very small quantities are called microelements and even ultramicroelements. Among them are iron, cobalt, molybdenum, arsenic, fluorine, manganese, copper, iodine, bromine, and lithium. Including those with a pronounced pharmacological effect - iron, arsenic, iodine and bromine. Iron is found in many mineral waters of Siberia and the Caucasus. The highest amount of iron is in the above-mentioned “Martial” waters - up to 70 mg/l. Availability

iron makes even water with very low mineralization, for example, “Polustrovo” (less than 1 g/l), healing. If the iron content reaches 20 mg/l, then the water is considered “ferrous” and is prescribed to people suffering from anemia.

Arsenic is a substance with pronounced toxic and pharmacological effects. properties. Mineral waters containing 0.7 mg/l of arsenic and higher have a specific therapeutic effect and are classified as arsenic mineral waters. “Avadhara”, “Tursh-Su”, “Jermuk” are medicinal table waters, they contain no more than 1.5 mg/l of arsenic. Among the arsenic mineral waters, Chvizhepse water, or Sochi Narzan, also appeared.

Among drinking mineral waters there are also bromine waters. (As you know, bromine is used in the treatment of nervous system disorders.) The lower the mineralization of water and the less chlorides it contains, the more pronounced the effect of bromine on the human body. Iodine is an important trace element and plays a large role in the functioning of the thyroid gland. Drinking mineral waters also contain organic substances. The organic composition of mineral waters is still largely unexplored.

In-person municipal stage of the regional forum

"Youth and Science"

Title of work: Myths about mineral water

Direction: “Natural science”

Type of work: research work

9th grade student

MBOU "Taezhenskaya Secondary School"

Head: Klimova Elena Aleksandrovna

biology and chemistry teacher

MBOU "Taezhenskaya Secondary School"

INTRODUCTION

Mineral water is one of the oldest natural medicines used by people. For centuries, hospitals existed near the sources of healing mineral waters, world-famous resorts and sanatoriums were created, and later - factories supplying bottled mineral water throughout the world. The natural beneficial properties of mineral water are unique, because they were formed in the depths of the earth, under very special conditions. They undergo natural processing by various rocks, high temperatures, and dissolved gases.

Mineral water (colloquially “Mineralka”) - containing dissolved as well as some biologically active components.

Word " balneology" means "the science of bathing."
Currently under balneology refers to that part of the science of resorts that studies the origin of mineral springs, their physical and chemical properties, technical devices for their medicinal use, the physiological basis of the influence of Mineral waters on the body, the clinical course of diseases after internal and external use of mineral waters.

Balneology is divided into: 1) balneography, which provides a description and characteristics of resorts and healing areas; 2) balneotherapy - the science of internal and external use of medicinal waters; 3) balneotechnics, in which technical measures are developed for the design and equipment of springs, bathroom buildings, swimming pools, water heating, etc.

Mineral water differs from the ordinary one in special physical and chemical properties, temperature, smell, color, taste and specific physiological effect on the body; The water of mineral springs is usually called medicinal.

Origin of mineral springs and their properties

There was also exists a number of theories about the origin of medicinal waters. The most ancient theory explained the origin of underground, including mineral, waters by the penetration of atmospheric precipitation into the soil to great depths, their accumulation on impermeable layers and their subsequent release to the surface of the earth.

Now installed that: 1) the waters of mineral springs are obtained from atmospheric precipitation or come from the unexplored bowels of the earth; 2) they either acquire their mineralization as a result of the dissolution and decomposition of the rocks under which they pass, or bring it from the bowels of the earth; 3) gases from mineral waters are formed during chemical processes in the soil, and also appear as a result of underground volcanic activity; some of them are released from the atmosphere during the formation of precipitation. Waters formed in the bowels of the earth and first appearing on its surface are called “juvenile”, in contrast to other mineral waters, called “vodoznye”, i.e. surface. Most deep waters, that is, those coming from the deep bowels of the earth, are of a mixed type and consist of juvenile and aquatic water.

Quantity water in mineral springs depends on their origin: in some sources it is constant, in others it varies depending on the season, the amount of precipitation or volcanic activity in the bowels of the earth. The amount of water supplied by the source is calculated in liters per second or hectoliters per day. For example, the Batalinsky spring, near Pyatigorsk, gives 720 hectoliters per day. Narzan in Kislovodsk - 1980,000 l.

Temperature of mineral springs depends mainly on the thermal conditions that are observed in the earth's crust and on the average annual temperature of the area. There are springs whose temperature slightly exceeds the freezing point (for example, Darasun in Transbaikalia), while in some springs the temperature reaches the boiling point (Goryachevodsk). In most cases, the temperature of medicinal waters approaches the temperature of spring water. Those sources whose water temperature is above 37° are usually called thermals, i.e. warm. According to the international balneological classification, mineral waters, depending on temperature, are divided into the following groups: 1) cold (below 20°); 2) moderate, or subthermal (from 20 to 36°); 3) warm, or thermal (from 37 to 42°); 4) hot, or hyperthermal (above 42°). Waters that have a high temperature with low mineralization and low gas content are called acrotherms.

Medicinal mineral waters are natural waters that contain high concentrations of certain mineral (less often organic) components, various gases (carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, etc.), or have any specific physical properties - radioactivity, temperature, environmental reaction etc., due to which these waters have one or another effect on the human body.

Mineral waters have a pronounced biological effect - physiological, therapeutic or toxic - depending on the various combinations of the above components and especially on their concentration.

Not every mineral water can be considered medicinal, much less suitable for internal use. For medicinal purposes, the waters of underground mineral springs are used at their natural outlets or water obtained by drilling wells to various depths. Groundwater is formed from atmospheric waters or as a result of the metamorphosis of ancient sea waters, often millions of years old and located at greater or lesser depths from the earth's surface. Groundwater acquires its characteristic chemical composition, which is associated with the leaching of various rocks. Often, mineral waters of deep origin on their way to surface outlets mix with atmospheric waters and form new types of waters.

The emergence of natural springs to the surface is sometimes far from the places where mineral water is formed. A long underground path of 20-30 km is made, for example, by the Kislovodsk Narzans and some waters of the Pyatigorsk springs. Long-term observations of flow rate, salt composition, on the one hand, and the amount of precipitation, on the other, have shown that the time during which water travels this path is sometimes about a year. Along the way, mineral water continues to form, is enriched with new salts, and loses some of its gases and heat.

Valuable mineral springs for their medicinal qualities are found in various geographical regions of the country. Especially many sources suitable for internal use were discovered in the Transcaucasus - in Armenia, Georgia, Abkhazia and Azerbaijan - and, perhaps, even more in the North Caucasus - in North Ossetia, Kabarda and in the region. In the latter deposit, in a comparatively small area, there are more than 100 active sources, 22 of which are suitable for internal use and have long won wide recognition.

Capture wells, adits or galleries are installed at the natural outlets of the springs. Many of them are complex engineering structures.

Over the past 10 years, almost all sources at resorts have been reliably captured by drilling wells (Fig. 1). Now you can get mineral water from a depth of 1-2-3 km. The water from deep boreholes is absolutely clean, and its flow rate varies within insignificant limits.

The healing properties of mineral water are determined by its physical and chemical composition, temperature, reaction, general mineralization, ion-salt composition, the presence of gases and organic substances. Various qualitative and quantitative combinations of these factors determine a huge variety of natural mineral waters.