BarNaCle Bill's History of Salt Quiz

Answer: 90%

Most of the saltwater on Earth is in the oceans. There are also several salt lakes such as the Great Salt Lake in Utah, USA, which is reportedly eight times saltier than the oceans. We bobbed around in it on a camping trip many years ago and found that it was almost impossible to sink.

The Morton Salt Factory sits on the shore of the lake. Unfortunately, the surface was almost black with salt flies or no-see-ums. Being out in some strong sun and unable to shower until the next state, we noticed our skin turning whitish and we became very thirsty in the next two days. Showering in Arizona's Grand Canyon campground got the worst of it off.

Answer: NaCl

Natrium (Sodium) Chloride is common table salt. Potassium can also be combined with chlorine to make potassium chloride, KCl, or both can be mixed in and used as cooking or table salt. Sodium and potassium are both necessary in the human body and ideally should be well balanced so one doesn't try pushing the other out.

These minerals are needed for proper heart rhythm and many other functions. Too much or too little of either can cause leg cramps, dehydration or otherwise affect the organs and general health.

Answer: Chinese

Though other civilisations may have used salt as currency, Marco Polo found evidence in Tibet in some salt tablets imprinted with images of the Khan.

The root for the word salary is from the Latin for salt. Town name Salzburg, the site of an ancient salt mine, Salton Sea, salad, and the word salacious all have their roots in salt as well. In Germany, a bride's shoes are sometimes sprinkled with salt. The Hebrews sealed their covenants with salt. The Venetians taxed salt, and when the British taxed salt in India it led to Gandhi's protest walk of 240 miles to the sea for untaxed salt, with thousands of people protesting the tax. Many cultures throughout history used salt in trade for other goods. It was often traded in equal weight for gold. Wars were fought over salt!

The first Roman road, the Via Salaria, was built to transport salt. During the American Civil War, Union forces closed off southern harbors so they could not import salt. Revenues from salt taxes helped support the building of great structures such as the Erie Canal.

Answer: As much as meat loves salt

The poor girl was banished, and the older daughters who compared their love of jewels and fancy dresses to the love of their father were held in high esteem. Many years later the banished daughter was working as a scullery maid in the kitchen and her identity was unknown to anyone. Part of her job was to season each plate as it came by before being served.

She put no salt on the king's meat, and when he received his dinner he roared that it had no flavor. The maid was literally called on the carpet and bowed before the irate king who demanded proper seasoning for his meat.

She brought forth the salt and sprinkled it on his food. The king harrumphed and sat down to enjoy his meal, which was the best he had ever tasted. She inquired sweetly if it was good, and as he looked up to answer he recognized his daughter and immediately understood. Rushing from the table, he embraced her and begged her forgiveness.

They lived happily ever after. The two older daughters were banished to a small island and supplied with plenty of ball gowns and jewelry, but there was nobody there to admire them. And they had no salt.

Answer: Returning to a tedious job

Also known as 'back to the old grind', the idiom signifies the end of enjoying yourself and going back to a grueling task, job, chore or whatever it is you'd just rather not do. Working in a salt mine was a tough job. Before industrialisation, slaves were usually used for this work and many became dehydrated and/or died from being covered in salt all day.

Answer: Treatment for hypertension

Moderation is recommended for those who have high blood pressure as sodium can have an effect on heart function. Almost all canned or preserved foods already have salt in them. Many fresh foods contain salt as well. This advice comes to you from Nancy Kramer, who you may remember as 'the salt monster' on the original "Star Trek" series. Giving up salt sprinkling/pouring was as hard as giving up smoking for me.

'Table salt' accounts for only a small percentage of salt uses. What most of us have at home and use on our food, has been refined and is usually available at any food store. It is generally kept in a shaker or served in a small dish with a small spoon. In order to keep salt from caking, many people use uncooked grains of rice to absorb any moisture. This is generally used in summer and in humid climates. Iodized salt is often recommended for people who do not get enough iodine in their daily diet. It helps to prevent thyroid disease.

The other uses of salt include commercial halite, which is used to help melt ice on roads; other forms of salt are used in preservation of foods, especially meat and fish. Salt inhibits bacterial growth, is used in the fields of medicine, mummification, oil drilling, the making of gunpowder, soap and textiles, caustic soda, paper and in many other commercial and industrial fields. This salt is in other forms than table salt and may have other elements added depending on function.

Answer: Water intoxication

Hyponatremia is the technical term for this condition, and it is rarely seen. Water intoxication can cause nausea, vomiting, lethargy, confusion, muscle weakness and eventually death. It is seen in marathon racers, athletes and others in high activity venues and is usually treated before it becomes serious. On the other hand, if you eat too much salt without drinking enough water, you could become dehydrated and incur the risk of equally serious side effects. Moderation and balance is the key.

The USDHHS recommends 3750-5750 mgs of salt daily, depending on age, size, blood pressure and other medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure.

Answer: True

In Egypt, salt was used as a funeral offering around 3000 BC. In the Japanese art of Sumo wrestling, salt is flung into the arena to purify it before the match. In ancient times, if a piece of land was considered tainted or cursed, it would be salted to purify the ground. The lands of traitors were sown with salt. Salt will prevent plants from growing and thus keep the ground barren. It will work in your garden, but be careful not to spill it on plants you want to keep.

The Dead Sea is so called because very few living things can survive its high salt content, which is about 33%. In some cultures, the first foods offered to guests in a home are bread and salt, two staples of life.

Answer: Reduction of fever

A warm salt foot-bath can help to relieve sore feet and prevent fungus from growing. A mild salt water solution can be used for baby's stuffy nose. Saline solution can relieve tired eyes and a sore throat by gargling. To replace electrolytes and keep your system in balance, a mild solution of salt and sugar in water can help. Gatorade and other similar drinks also contain these ingredients. This will usually prevent dehydration from excessive perspiring, diarrhea and/or vomiting.

You can brush your teeth with salt. There are hundreds of uses around the house for salt, by itself and mixed with other ingredients. Some people make their own facials with salt and olive oil, remove dead or flaky skin, make their own mouthwash, prevent pantyhose from running, and treat dry or oily skin. Google 'salt' to find some of ways you can use this wonderful substance.

Make sure to check with your doctor before trying any of these ideas!

Answer: False

The good spirits stand at your right and the evil ones at your left shoulder, so you have to fling salt in the eyes of the evil ones to make sure you're safe. In Haiti, some believe that salt can bring zombies back to life. In Africa and many parts of Asia, salt represents permanence, vitality and wealth. It is also used to ward off evil spirits in many cultures. Salt can also be used as a drain cleaner, copper, brass, wicker, ivory and burnt cookware cleaner. If you buy cheap candles, soak them in warm salt water overnight, and when you use them they won't drip. I tried it and it works. The candles had to be weighted down to stay underwater. Some clean their coffeepots with a little salt, ice and a piece of lemon slice, swirl and swish and--viola!--coffee stains are gone. Then rinse with hot water. A pinch of salt in your morning coffee grounds can enhance the flavor if you use a drip system.

Salt will clean most anything, but make sure that you use the right type. Iodized salt, for example, should not be used for cleaning aquariums.