diff --git a/data/json/items/comestibles.json b/data/json/items/comestibles.json
index 00fe0ee212b89..385897872abad 100644
--- a/data/json/items/comestibles.json
+++ b/data/json/items/comestibles.json
@@ -11497,7 +11497,7 @@
         "heal" : 0,
         "addiction_potential" : 0,
         "nutrition" : 0,
-        "description" : "Intended for the clarification and disinfection of unsafe drinking water, these halazone-based purification tablets remove dangerous contaminants using powerful chemicals.",
+        "description" : "Intended for the clarification and disinfection of unsafe drinking water, these halazone-based purification tablets remove dangerous contaminants using powerful chemicals.  The label says to use one tablet per unit of water.",
         "price" : 1000,
         "material" : "null",
         "tool" : "null",
diff --git a/src/player.cpp b/src/player.cpp
index dc7e03b96db0d..d8276de564023 100644
--- a/src/player.cpp
+++ b/src/player.cpp
@@ -6822,6 +6822,7 @@ bool player::consume(int pos)
         return false;
     }
 
+    int amount_used = 1;
     bool was_consumed = false;
     if (comest != NULL) {
         if (comest->comesttype == "FOOD" || comest->comesttype == "DRINK") {
@@ -6846,8 +6847,8 @@ bool player::consume(int pos)
             }
             if (comest->use != &iuse::none) {
                 //Check special use
-                int was_used = comest->use.call(this, to_eat, false);
-                if( was_used == 0 ) {
+                amount_used = comest->use.call(this, to_eat, false);
+                if( amount_used == 0 ) {
                     return false;
                 }
             }
@@ -6897,7 +6898,7 @@ bool player::consume(int pos)
     }
 
     // Actions after consume
-    to_eat->charges--;
+    to_eat->charges -= amount_used;
     if (to_eat->charges <= 0) {
         if (which == -1) {
             weapon = ret_null;