Water Measure

A greater measure than the Winchester, formerly used for selling coals in the pool, etc. 22 Car. II. c. 11. which was of two kinds, — by hot water and by cold water. The hot-water ordeal was performed by plunging the bare arm up to the elbow in boiling water, and escaping Unhurt thereby. 4 Bl. Comm. 343; Spelman. The cold-water ordeal was performed by casting the person suspected into a river or pond of cold water, when, if he floated therein, without any action of swimming, it was deemed an evidence of his guilt, but, if he sank, he was acquitted. Id.