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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre fllmfo A des taux de reduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul cllchA, II est fiimA A partir de I'angle supArieur geuche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'Images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes sulvants lllustrent la mAthode. irrata to pelure, nA □ 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 MAP NIA SPRIMQS. Ikmmlk Scale » w w ttmuiiu MAP lo the VII6INIA SPRIN6S ^fct//. itmjii-'y i^A #, Haf'^' Omti"*^ H^^ .F*M'lt'>'" 'fAtvi^r^ Of^ •o-: /Vrrr/v^f' " •*-., "^ y / ^ ^** y jfc»«^ >»„ r1J^ '^!**. ' Wasktngton m •Ji fOrmm^ '*f' \ ,»Jfr Cf, Sn-OnJlr fyb/fUia ^!^yiUM!(i« ./t/CM«OWO R*"^ -^ 4k*»«4> i.^ '<*/«//**» ^/.^ 'y Kimwm 9X . V AwtA'a Jf >JX C/? _..^ ;^^ DaMmlh '*!> V /fu4»An/ lO* ifO' .>••" nO /SUftfiMr ^i&fa« '. ^ ]VIirLeral "Waters wwprs^BStrr: tniteb States nnb Sattabs, WIjTH A MAP AND PLATES, GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR REACHING MINERAL SPRINGS. p]. MOORMAN, M. D. Rtsidtnt Physician at the White Sulphur, Lecturer on Anatomy and Pbyiiohgy in Roanoke College, Fa., ^c„ i^c. mi j KELLY & PIET. 1867. i»^±£i^ i — i n i ir- i i.-Mii-i i n i i n mi ll I I (Miihu a '•«pi r^ Entered, Moonllog to Act of Congreai, In the year 1887, by KELLT k PIET, In the Olerk'a Offloe of the Dlitrlot Court of HarjrUnd. • ■• by 8. D. GROSS, M. D. PROFEBSOH OF BCROERT IN JEFFERSON UEDICAL COLLEGE, PHILADELPHIA, In tMtimbny of a high appreflittion of hti head and heart— ai an humble tribitte to hli diitlngulthcd ability ai a Teacher, Author and Frao- tiUoner of the Healing Art ; and under the prooptlngt of a long-cherlihed penonal friendihlp, THIS rOLUUB U HOST BIIFIOTrVLLT IHIOBIBID. The Author. T^M^saW?-!**;-: - 'mmmt»mmmmmmF!iff^''ffH!!^K^ ^ o tl tl O] tl »3 di tb tfa ai m: mi qu ci( rtwanii^iiiwwi'iiii^'i'^iffi**"'***'' "' TO THE PUBLIC. TjlOR more tlian thirty years 1 have directed special attention 1 to the investigation of the nature and medichial applicability of mineral waters. During this thne, I have resided, throughout the waterhig season, at the White Sulphur Springs, where, In the character of Resident Physician, I. have enjoyed ample opportunities of witnessing the various and modified effects of the water, ta almost every variety of disease, and state of the system. Although my attention, during this time, has been especiaUy dh^ted to the investigation of tie character of the water of that spring, I have not neglected the other valuable waters of the country, nor faUed to appreciate their various peculiarities, and theh- relative and positive merits. WhUe my position has enabled me to witness the virtues of mineral waters in diseases, it has, at the same time, ftiUy satisfied me not only that their good effects are often lost, but that conse- • quences highly injurious occasionaUy result from their ii^udi- cious use. 6 TO TAB PUBUO. . Impressed with the importance of aiTesting the abuse of the White Sulphur waters, and of leading to a more correct admin- istration of them, I published, in 1839, a pamphlet designed as a " Directory " for the use of these waters. It was with diflSdence I undertook this pioneer effort in a field so entirely unexplored; for, although thousands of invalids had, for more than half a century, annually resorted to these wateid, up to the period of issuing the "Directory," not a line had ever been published, relative to their medicinal applicability, or the proper methods of prescribing them. Satisfied from experience, that the little e/ort alluded to was not without beneficial effects in guiding to a more prudent use of the waters, I published, in 1846, a small volume entitled " Virginia Springs," and designed to embrace what was then known of the various mineral springs in Virginia. In 1855, and again in 1857, new and enlaiged editions of the work were issued. In 1859, the previous editions having been- exhausted, a new one, much enlarged, and embractag not only the Virgmia Sprhigs, but also the Springs of the Southern and Western States, was issued under the title of the "Virginia Springs and Springs of the South and Wat" This work being now out of print, I have the pleasure to present to the public, in continuation of my labors hi this field of inquiry, the present volume on the "Mineral Springs of the United States and Canada." A gratifying public appreciation, and generous demand for my previous volumes, have encouraged me to r more extensive in- - "'i'i*«>iliiiffiWtf2))ffi» buse of the rect odmin- signed as a li difSdeuce nexplored ; than half a e period of published, icr methods ided to was prudent use me entitled it was then itions of the laving been- ig not only }uthem and le ^^ Virginia work being be public, in the present States and mandformy extensive in- TO THE POBUC. 7 yestigation of the mineral waters of the coimtry, and to make the present volume embrace the entire series of mineral springs of North America that are known and regarded a» placet ofpuNie Toletudinarg andpleamre retort. I have been led to do so from a belief that a work comprehending in one treatise all the mineral waters of our continent would not fail to be an acceptable addi- tion to our Spring literature. The amount of reUable information that has been made pubUc in relation to the numerous mineral fountains of America, is lamentably small, hi reference to the hnportance of the subject. There have been various essays, and pamphlet publications in reference to hidividual springs, and in a few instances, volumes have been published of extensive groups of springs, such as Dr Steele's Analysis of the Saratoga Waters, and the previous volumes of the author on the Sprbgs of Virginia and of the Southern and Western States of the Union. But with the ex- ception of Dr. Bell's valuable volumes on "Baths and Mineral Waters," and on the "Mineral and Thermal Springs of the United States and Canada,"- no effort has heretofore been made to group iiito one treatise the history, location, analysis, medi- cinal adaptations, &c., &c., of the entire mineral springs of the country. In a notice so extensive of mineral fountains, with the excep- tion of those of which I have a personal knowledge, I have necessarily had to depend largely upon the observations and ' writings of others; and, m this connection, I desire to express my obligations especially, to the labors of my esteemed friend, H'HI mtmmmmm'~' 8 TO THE PUBLIC. 5 Dr. Bell, of Philadelphia, from whose works I have derived im- portant facilities. In treating of springs as medicinal agents, (and it is in that point of view only that 1 have proposed to treat of them,) it has been my earnest effort to present them before the public in an aspect as full and impartial as was possible. So far as the author's personal knowledge and experience, or reliable informa- tion obtained fl-om other sources, have enabled him to do so, he has discharged the task with fidelity. It is to be regretted that no analysis has yet been made of many of the mineral fountains of the country, whose rising im- portance deserve such chemical test. Nor have these fountains, 88 yet, furnished, from observation, such reliable record of their adaptations as is desirable in forming a proper appreciation of their merits; hence, in reference to the precise quality and adaptations of such springs, we are necessarily left to inferences based upon analogies and somewhat uncertain comparisons. The absence of an analysis of a. mineral water is less td be regretted, if a fair and reliable record of its virtues and appro- priate medical uses be obtained; for it is only by multiplied &cts, that is, by ea^ierienee of its use, that we can speak positively of its effects. This being so, it is of especial importance that there should be an intelligent Resident Physician at each foun- tain, who would make it his duty careftally to note the character of the various diseases submitted to its use, and the effects of the water upon each case. Under such a system, each fountain t»:i t fe < i u a sg .* v j tf j -t . *ftW ^(ai^'^^i«^-feaaaj!*ow TO THB fVBLlC. 9 derived im- t is in tliat Iiem,) it has )ublic in an far as the i)le informa- to do so, he een made of ) rising im- e fountains, ord of their reciation of {uality and inferences urisons. i less td be and appro- multiplied k positively trtance that t each foun- le character fleets of the :h fountain would soon establish a reliable record for itself; the invalid would be greatly assisted in his selecUon of the proper agent to which he should resort, and the just character of each water be pro- ^ perly understood, and pkced upon a firm and stable foundation. This field of observation offers large and exciting motives to a proper medical ambition; for such, as a general thing, has hitherto been the wUd and hap-hazard empiricism in the use of mfaieral waters in America, and such is the unportance of so classifying and systemizmg their uses, that the^ may be pre- scribed understandhigly and safely, that he, who may contribute to this end, and thus render them the safe, certam and effective remedies they were designed tobe bjra beneficent Providence, may weU feel that he has neither lived nor labored in vain in his generation. I wiU only add, that I have endeavored, in getting up this work, to adhere to the plain, unassuming, practical method, which was, I think, a characteristic distinction of my previous volumes, and perhaps their chief merit. It has been my earnest desire to place in the hands of the public, and espedaUy of invalids, a short and easy, but a con- densed and comprehensive, account of the mineral springs of the American continent, and to indicate with candor, and with as much plainness as possible, their nature and medicinal appli- cability. Wherever I could, with advantage to the public, I have avaUed myself of the observations of others, and I claim at the ii^nd it 10 TO THB PUBLIC. • of my readers this award of merit, at least: of having honttO^ endeawrtd to make my humNe labort convenient and praetkaUy vaiucMi to them; not by dazzling, but imcertain theories, nor by creating hopes that might end in sad disappointment, bat by pbiin, practical &cts in relation to the nature and proper uses of our various mineral waters. In arranging the matter for the volume, I shall treat of the waters under the heads of the States in which they are respec- tively found ; and have preferred to introduce the States, rather in the order of their mineral water similitudes, than in the usual geographical or jwlitical order in which they are generally made to stand. Hence, I shall first treat of the Waters of Yirghiia, and of the Western and Southern States ; and then of those of the North and East, commencing with the great Mineral Water State of New York. I have intentionally avoided in this, as in my previous volumes, all criticisms upon the improvements of spring property, or of the character of the accommodations at the several springs. Such criticism, in a printed voluine intended for reference long after its issue from the press, would be likely to mislead, and probably do great injustice; inasmuch as improvements, now fitttlty, may, before the next season, be rendered very comfort- able; and bad hotel accommodations are often amended in a day by a change of landlord or manager. It is of the naiure and medieinai apptieability of mineral waters that I have felt called iqwn to write ; and this I have done without pnijudice, fear or favoi sprii sonal rclial It aree: honei thep: Wi i' ! i i iMM i M lil M i >M « n* «(iili i i ) M «l BitiiJ* iii ii i : : tting honttOy nd prattieaUy eoriee, nor by ment, bat by proper uses of U treat of the ey are respec- States, rather n in the usual enerally nuule B of Virginia, en of those of lineral Water rious volumes, )roperty, or of reral springs, reference long ) mislead, and rements, now very comfort- inded in a day le TMiure and iiVe felt called iudice, fear or TO THE PUBLIC. favor; having no interest, dli-cctly or indirectly, in any of the springs, and influence < ' i i> «**«i ^ ., .:,.**U..,0*ili! CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. MINERAL WATERS IN G*NEBAL. Early Use of, &c., Ac.— Experience the only Guide in the Adminiatration-Medical Efficacy, &c.— Modus Operandi, Ac-Length of Time t6 be Used, Ac-General Remarks' on Administration, Ac, Ac gg CHAPTER II. MINERAL WATERS IN GENERAL CONTINITED. Resemblance to Mercury, Ac-Errors and Abuses of Mineral Waters, Ac, Ac-Liability to Error in Reference to Sul- phur Waters-Changing from Spring to Spring-Dress- Dietr-Ezercise, Ac, Ac. >^ CHAPTER m. Use of Medicines and Different Mineral \[alen-Fn- BcriWng Mineral Waters. iM u CONTENTS. CHAPTER IV. VinGINIA SPRINGS. Routes to the Virginia Springs . 78 CHAPTER V. WniTB SULPHUR SPRINGS. Location and General Cliaracteristlca— Its Strength Uni- formly the Same— Does not Lose its Strength by Parting with Us Gas— Does not Deposit Its Salts when Quiescent- Its Gas Fatal to Fish— Its Early History— Known to the Indians as a "Medicine Water"— First Used by the Whites in 1778— Progress of Improvement and Present Condition— Analysis of Mr. Hays and Professor Rogers. . 77 CHAPTER VI. The Relative Virtues of the SaUne and Gaseous Contents of the White Sulphur Water W CHAPTER VIL GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE WHITE SULPHUR WATER. Directions Meant to be General, not Specific— Must not Look to the Sensible Operations of the Water for Its Best Effects— Moderate or Sniall Quantities Generally Prefer- able— The Best Time for Taking it— Length of Time for 8 C VAOI. . 78 ;th Unl- Parting lescent — m to tho by the Present iiogers. . ntentB of 77 01 B WHITE aust not r its Best y Prefer- Time for CONTENTS. •16 MM. which It should be Used— Necessary Preparations of tlio System for the Use of tho Water— Sensible Medicinal Effects of tho Water— Effects on the Pulse— Synopsis of Rules to be Observed— Use of Baths 106 CHAPTER Vin. DI8EABBB IN WHICH THE WHITE SULPHITB WATEB MAT, OB MAT NOT, BE USEFULLT FBESCBIBED. 2)y«pep»&i—Q8str8lgla— Water Brash— Chronic Gastro-En- •teritis— Diseases of.the Liver— Jaundice— Enlargement of the Spleen— Chronic Irritation of the'Bowels— Costive- ness—PUes— Diseases of the Urinary Organs— Chronic Inflammation of the Kidneys— Diabetes. Femak Disecuea : Amenorrhoea — Dysmenorrhoaa — Chlorosis — Lucorrhoea — Chronic Affections of the Brain— Nervous Diseases- Paralysis— Some Forms of Chronic Diseases of tho Chest, or Breast Complahits, (to be avoided in Pulmonary Con- ■ sumption,)— Bronchitis— Clironic Diseases of the SWn, Psoriasis, Lepra, Ill-Conditioned Ulcers— Rheumatism and Gout— Dropsies— Scrofula— Mercurial Diseases^ Erysipelas— Not to be Used in Diseases of the Heart, or in Schirrus and Cancer 124 Society and its Amuaements at ^ WhiteSu^ur 103 Chalybeate Spring at the White Sulphur 108 16 C0NTBN1S. CHAPTER IX. BALT 8ULPBVR SPRIKOa FAOI. Situation and Early History— Analysis by Professor Rodgers —Medical Applicability of the Waters— Iodine or New Spring— Analysis by Dr. Stewart, &c., &c 200 CHAPTER X. BED SVLFHTTR BPRINOS. Situation and Improvements — Analysis — Adaptation to Diseases, &c., &c '. 200 New River White Sulphur Springs '. 224 Blue Sulphur Spring 22S CHAPTER XI. . 8WEET BPBIirOS. Situation and Early History— Former and Present Improve- ments—Analysis—Effects of the Waters— Adaptations of the Waters as a Beverage and as a Bath, &c., 4c 226 CHAPTER XII. BWEBT CBALTBBATB, OB BED SWEET 8PBIHGB. Their Analysis— Nature and Adaptations of the Waters as a Beverage and a Bath— Artificial Warm Baths, &c., &c. . . 285 H El Ai mamummmimiiiitMmmmmimmm j fff feseiMi CONTENM. n PikOI. todgen T New 200 ion to 200 224 rove- ns of 226 asa c... CHAPTER XIII. nOT BPRIN08. Effects of the Water Internally and Externally UBcd— Analysis— Diseases to which they are Applicable— Specu- lations on their Thermalization, &c., &c 24S CHAPTER XIV. WARM BFRINGB. Analysis— Time and Manner of Using— Diseases for which Employed, .&c., &c 254 CHAPTER XV. HEALINO 8PBIH0B. History and Description- Therapeutic Action— DisejwcB for which it may be prescribed, 4;c., &c. aei CHAPTER XVI. BOCKBRIDOB ALUM BFRIMOB. Early History and Description— ^nailyw^ and Remarks on Aiudytii — The Name Alum a Misnomer, &c. — Thera- peutic Effects of the Waters— Diseases in which they arc Employed— Their Excellent Effects \a. Scroflila, &c., &c. . 260 CHAPTER XVn. BATH ALUM BPBINOS. Analysfa— Diseases and States of the System in which they may be Preacribed ^80 2» '*'.45ffSPj f 18 CONTENTS CHAPTER XVJIL PAQI. Rockbridge Baths Si«fll Daggar'B Springs 296 Cold Sulphur Springg 800 Stribling Springs 801 CHAPTER XIX. . Rawley's Springs 805 Burner's Springs, or Seven Fountains 807 Jordan's White Sulphur Springs • • 800 Shannondale Springs 813 CHAPTER XX. BATH, OR BERKELEY BPRIHOS. Early History— Extract from General Washington's Will, &c.— Bath and Bathing House*— Medicinal Properties of the Waters— Diseases for which Used, &c 814 Orrick's Springs 828 Capon Springs ' 888 CHAPTER XXI. Coiner's Black and White Sulphur 828 Roanoke Red Sulphur. 880 Blue Ridge Springs 831 Alleghany Springs 887 Montgomery White Sulphur Springs. 841 "^t m i t i umm a nfeatoawe .'M (rii«lii«lifiiiliTiiWJlMKB;iaaaifer.. , CONTENTS. 19 PAOI. SI95 290 800 801 805 807 .. 800 813 B Win, rtiea of 814 828 828 828 880 831 ....... 887 841 CHAPTER XXII. YELLOW BPRINOB. FASI. Pulaski Alum SpringH 844 Grayson Sulphur Springs 8A0 Holston Springs Sfli CHAPTER XXIII. Fauquier White Sulphur 854 Buffalo Springs 856 Huguenot Springs ., 860 New London Alum Springs ", 861 CHAPTER XXIV. BPBrNGB or KENTLTKT. Harrodsburg— Rochester—Olympian— Blue Lick— Estill. . . 865 CHAPTER XXV. MINERAL BFniMGS.OF OHIO. Ohio White Sulphur— Its History, Improvements, &c., (fee- Analyses— Medicinal Adaptations, &c., &c 871 Saline Chalybeate Spring 882 Yellow Spring 388 Westport Spring 884 CHAPTER XXVI. BPRING8 OF TEMNESeBE. White's Creek Spring-Robertson's-Winchester-Beersheba — Montvale — Tate's — Lee's Sulphur and Chalybeate- Alum Springs— Warm Springs on the French Broad 885 a'"( 1 i 20 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII. BFRINOS OF NORTH CAROLINA. tAOK. "Warm and Hot Springs of Buncombe — Shocco Spr'ngs — Jones' White Sulphur and Chalyljeate—KittreU's . Springs 891 CHAPTER XXVIII. BFRINGS OF BOITTH CAROLINA. Glenn's— West's— Springs in Abbeville and Laurens Dis- trict, &c.— Chick's Springs— Williamstown Springs— Ar- tesian Well in Charleston, &c 806 Si CHAPTER XXIX. SPRIN.as IN OBORGIA. Indian — Madison — Warm Springs — Gordon's — Catoosa Springs CHAPTER XXX. SPRINGS OV ALABAUA. Bladen Springs-^Bailey's—Tallahatta Springs. 401 CHAPTER XXXI. 8FRIN08 OF WSSISSIPPI. Cooper's WeU— Ocean Springs ... 408 Im] K Di» A S] Shai .mu m liiMiil -^-—■^ CONTBNIS. 21 tAOK. "ngs— ittrell'a 801 s Dis- 8— Ar- CHAPTER XXXII. BPBINOa OF ABKANSAS. Washita Hot Springs Springs of Florida . 408 . 417 CHAPTER XXXni. MraSBAL BPBISaS OP NB'V TOBK. Saratoga and Ballston Group-Congress-Putnum-PavU. lion-Union-High Rock-Iodine-Pkt Rock-Hamilton Washington-Empire-^, Balkton: Sans Souci-Low's WeU-Park WeU-New and Old Washington Springs- Sulphur Springs-Classification of Waters-GeoloS Position-Thennalization of Waters-Analyses of the Various Springs, &c., &c. • 418 atoosa 401 408 CHAPTER XXXrV. iraW TOBK MINBBAL WATBB8 COSTnTOED. Improper Uses of the Saratoga Waters and its Evil^In- IT .'i? ""' '='™" °' ^P^^'' •« *° *»»« Nature and Use of Mfaieral Waters ^^ Disea^ forwhich the Saratoga Waters may be P«scri'bedl Albany Artesian WeU-Reed's Mineral Spring-Halleck's opring, &c 486 CHAPTER XXXV. NBW TOBK SUIPHTJB 8PBING8. Sharron Springs-Avon Springs ^ 22 CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXVI. NEW YOBK SULPHUB AND ACIDULOUS SPBtNGS. PAai« Clifton Springs— Manllus Springs-Chlttenango— Messina Sulphur Springs— Manllus Springs— Auburn Springs— Chappiqua Springs-Spring at Troy-Newburg Springs —Springs in Dutcliess and Columbia Counties— Catskill Spi-ing-Nanticoke Spring-Dryden Spring-Rochester Spring— Springs in Monroe County: Gates, Mendon and Ogden— Vernon Springs— Saquoit Springs— Springs in Niagara County— Seneca or Deer Lick • Spring— Oak Orohard Acid Spring— Acid Spring at Clifton. 466 CHAPTER XXXVn. MtSPBAIi SPBIKGB OF PB31H8YI.VANIA. Bedford-Fr|6ikfori;-Ohalybeate Spring near Pittsburg- York Ppjlngfr-Carlisle Springs-Perry County Springs- IXnlblii* Gap an^ Chalybeate Springs-Fayette Springs- Bath 5, Chalybeate Spi-ings-Blossburg Spring-Ephrata %prijtga-Yeliow Springs-Caledonia Springs • • • • 468 CHAPTER XXXVin. HINBBAIi BPBING8 OF VBBMONT. ^endon QasoouB Springs-Newberry Sulphur Springft- Highgate Springs— Alburgh Spring.. • • ■ • CHAPTER XXXrX. BFBINGS OF MASSACHUBBTTS. Hopkinton SpringB— Berkflhire Soda Spring. 484 ' ■ .m«atmmi>fiJ i'' mm > mmm«W'i' < mmi>»!ii& u nniimiiiiii* ti i l ii ;M i i i i ii niBW i| )| ( i tll iMI 8^- CONTENTS. 23 SOB. Tkat. Messina irings — Springs Gatsldll Dcliester ion and ings in »g— Oak , 456 CHAPTER XL. MtNEBAL SFBIN08 OF NEW JEB8ET AND MAINE- Schooley's Mountain Spring. 486 Saline Lubec Spring in Maine— Dexter Clialybeate Spring. . 488 CHAPTER XLI. .HINBBAL AND THERMAL WATERS BETWEEN THE MTS- BI88IFFI AND THE FACIFIC OCEAN. In California— Oregon— Kansas— New Mexico— Nebraska- Utah, &c,, &c 480 tsburg— prings— iprings— -Ephrata 468 CHAPTER Xtn. Table Exhibiting the Thermalization of the Various Warm and Hot Springs of the United States and its Territories. . 500 CHAPTER XLin. MINERAL SFBINOB OF CANADA. Caledonia Spring*— Charlottesville Spring— St. Catharine^s • Artesian WeUs— Yarennes Springs-^St. Leon Springs— Plantagenet Spring— Citxton Spring....... 601 Jprings— 484 I j i iniaai aiiiiiM iM ii»ilMiii,WffifwiJ*" ' # .:.., THE ilmml ^fvin^ of % ftiltt^ §Mts, CHAPTER I. MINERAL WATERS IN GENERAL. Boris Um of, die., dic—Experimee the mity Guide in the AdminU- traiumr-Medieal Effleaey—Modm • Operandi, dx.~Length qf Time to be Used— General Bemarke on AdminiitnUim. MiNEBAL waters rank among the ancient reme- dies used for the cure of disease. The Greeks, who in knowledge of medicine were superior to the nations who had preceded them, regarded natural medicated waters as a special hoon of the Deity, and piously dedicated them to Hercules, the god of strength. They used them for drink- ing, and for general and topical bathing. Hippo- crates was acquainted with the value and uses of various mineral waters, and many other Greek physicians, we are told, employed them for nu- n^erous diseases for which they are used at this day. With the Bomans, mineral waters were a familiar remedy, not only in Italy, but in all the countries over whicli that nation obtained do- minion. Mineral springs were eagerly sought 26 MINERAL WATERS IN GENERAL. out in the countries over which their conquests from time to time extended, and prompted hy "gratitude for the benefit which they experienced from their use, they decorated them with edifices, and each fount was placed under the protection pf a tutelary deity." (BeU.) Pliny, in his natural history, treats of various miueraf waters aud their uses ; and it is a fact worthy of remark, that they were highly recommended by various Koman phy- sicians, in the fifth century, in the same diseases for which they are at this day, so much empldyed — particularly for nervous and rheumatic diseases, and for derangements of the liver, stomach, and skin. With the modern nations of civilized Eutope, mineral waters, both as internal and external remedies, have always been held in high estima- tion. The national regulations that have from time to time been adopted to investigate their virtues and their appropriate applicabilityj-^and to guard 'against their improper use, sufficiently manifest the importance that has been attached to thenS as remedial agents. Henry IV., we are told, "during his youth had frequented the Springs of the Pyrenees, and witnessing the abuses in the employment of so useful a remedy, sought to correct them after his ascension to the throne of France. He nominated by edicts and letters-patent, in: 1663> superintendents and super- intendents-general, who were charged with the ( ( e ^ c s J " ^isjin^m.wi^m mmMti^^msMs ionquests ipted by )erieaced edifices, lection pf s natural ixid their ;hat they aan phy- diseases mpldyed ach, and Eutope, external estima- ive from te their '^and to Bciently attached , we are ted the Ing the remedy, 1 to the lots and i Buper- ith the DISCOVBRY OP THBIR 00N8IITUBNT PARTS. 27 entire control over the use of mineral waters, baths, and fountains of the kingdom. Most of the mineral springs and bathing establishments on the continent of Europe are placed under a somewhat similar sfi'perintendence, and a resident physician is also appointed by the eovernment. " (Bett.) : . ' «* Although mineral waters had been favorite remedial agents with the enliahtened nations of *k? eftJ^th for many centuries, It was compara- tively"~1mt recently that chemistry, by minute analysis, was abli^^S^^etermino Vi^" precision their cdnstituent parts*'* v, In 1670, the mineral wallers ftf France were first fully analyzed by a comm%onaW^ by the Academy of Sciences at Parfs jJbut ifcwa^ot until 1766, nearly ^ hundred ye»\ afterwards, thai Bayen disooTered the means of sdn^rating sulphur from sulphurous ^ater^-nor until 1774 Ihat the celebrated Borgamapn demonstrated the existence of sulphurated hydr<^en gas, Meanwhife, phy- sicians stationed at theireveral wateringl places were active in observing and noting the iLrious operations of the different waters on the |aman system, and in determining, froik ezperienA, the various cases in which they were beneficial br iu- Experience the only sure Guide ifi ihe Administra- tion, etc, — After all that science can effect in de- -«ii . . 'tW i uSyhiiMijUi 18 MINERAI. WATBRS IN GBNERAL. termining the component parts of mineral waters, it is experience alone in their use that can be fully relied upon as to their specific effects, or applica- bility to particular diseases. Chemical analysis is important mainly as a matter of general scien- tific knowledge, and may be so far practically useful to the physician as to enable him to form correct gentral views as relates to the nature and powers of the remedy ; but it is fallacious to sup- pose that an analysis, however perfect, can ever enable the physician, in the present state of our knowledge, and in the absence of practical observa- tion, to prescribe a mineral water with confidence or safety.. An accurate knowledge of the com- ponent parts^of mineral waters might do much, I admit, to prevent the incessant mistakes and mis- chief which medical men commit in sending their patients, hap-hazard, to drink mineral waters which are often unadapted to their cases ; but it never can, in the absence of experimental know- ledge, qualify them for giving specific and detailed directions for their use. Dr. John Bell, in his valuable work on " Baths and Mineral Waters," has the following sensible and judicious passage upon this subject: " I wish not," he says, '' to be ranked among the chemical pliysicians, who, having discovered the proportion of each foreign ingredient in the mineral spring, and studied its operation on the economy, pretend to determine the general e£feot of the compound. We may, jij.,)iitfiim iMilli iiiiiiffiiiiigMiil i twii • ^ ' BXPEEIBITOB TBB BfiST OUIBB. 39 1 waters, , be fully applica- analysis al soien- actically > to form lure and 8 to sup- can ever te of our obaerva- tnfidence Lhe corn- much, I and mis- ing their 1 waters i; but it »1 know- detaile^ il, in his Vaters," passage I, " to be IS, who, I foreign idied its eterinine Ve may, indeed, by a knowledge of the constituent parts, . predict to a certain extent the medicinal power of the compound ; but it is only by multiplied facts, that is, experience of its use, that we can speak positively of its virtues." In no other country, perhaps, do mineral waters abound in greater variety than in the United States, and it is a subject of sincere regret, that their nature, applicability, and proper method of administration should have been so little studied, both by physicians and the public at large. It is true that certain opinions generally prevail in en- lightened circles as regards the curative powers of some of our more celebrated fountains ; and these opinions, so far as they go, being generally founded on experience, may, in the main, be toler- ably correct. Nevertheless, there is a lamentable want of information generally, and even among our more enlightened physicians, as to the specific nature and adaptation of mineral waters to par- ticular diseases— \nioTm9X\oix, the want of which must always disqualify for the safe and confident recommendation of these valuable agents. A perfect knowledge of the various influences, and of the peculiar minute circumstances that con- trol the use of mineral waters in different systems, as well as the best methods of using them in cer- tain pathological conditions of the system, must, as with all other medicines, be learned from ob- servation. Now, as physicians but rarely have 8» m so MINKRAL VATBBS IN 0KH8RAL. an opportunity of observing the use of mineral waters for u sufficient length of time and in a suffi- cient variety of cases, and as but little has been written by those who have observed their effects, it ought not to be supposed that the medical pub- lic generally would be greatly enlightened on this subject. I have said that the opinions generally prevail- ing in enlightened circles relative to the curative powers of our principal mineral fountains, being founded on experience, may, in the main, be cor- rect. I would not be understood, however, as advising a reliance upon such << popular fame." Information of this kind is sufficient to awaken attention and incite inquiry, but certainly should not be implicitly relied upon in individual cases. At best, it is generally " hearsay " opinion, made up, ordinarily, from partial and empirical sources ; or, quite as likely, from the prejudiced accounts which are brought by visitors from the different watering places, and which are aweqnngly favor- able, or prejudicial, as they may chance to have been benefited or worsted, and that without refer- ence to the specific action of the agent, or that clear understanding of the pathology of the case, which would serve as a safe guide in its applica- tion to others. Every physician knows how prone persons are to err in the use of medicines, from the supposed resemblance of cases. Often am I pained to see persons persevering in the use of a n B V I n (( u d si b al «1 cs tl to w hi ri 01 he bi I ge mi mi se] to ie< nlngipi mineral 1 a suffi- as been effects, ial pub- on this prevail- mrative B, being , be cor- iver, as fame." awaken ' should A cases. 1, made lources; accounts tifferent y favor- to have It refer- or that he case, ipplica- w prone is, from n am I ise of a EXPBUVr^ THB BIPT OUIDB. 81 mineral water to their evident prejudice, and for no better reason than that Mr. or Mrs. Such-a-one was cured of a disease supposed to be similar ; or, by the general recommendation of some medical man who sent them to the "mountains" with a "carte blanche" to use "some of the mineral waters." Occasionally it has become my painful duty to advise patients to retrace their melancholy steps homeward, without using any of the waters, because none were adapted to their case. Mineral waters are not a panacea; they act, like all other medicines, by producing certain eJTecta upon the animal economy, and upon principles capable of being clearly defined. . It follows, that there are various diseases and states of the system to which they are not only not adapted, but in which they would be eminently injurious. Some years since, I was requested to visit a highly respectable gentleman, who had just ar- rived at the White Sulphur with his family, from one of our distant cities. He was in wretched health, and sought my advice as to the applica- bility of the water to his case. On examination, I felt astonished that any medical man of intelli- gence should have recommended such a case to mineral waters for relief. I advised the gentle- man to retrace his steps homeward, and put him- self under medical treatment, as he had no time to lose. Accordingly, the ensuing morning he lecommenced his journey of seven hundred miles 32 MnrKRAIi WATBB8 IN OBNERAL. to reach his homo. Medicine did for him what mineral waters w( re not calculated to do, and I have since heard of his entire recovery. This gentleman informed me that he had heen influ- enced to undertake the distant, and, to him, pain- ful journey, hy a physician who had never hefore prescribed for his case, and who candidly stated to him that he knew but little of the mineral waters of Virginia; but he had heard of many cures from their use, and therefore advised that he should hasten to give them a trial. Influenced by this vague opinion, the unfortunate invalid had dragged himself and his family seven hundred miles, under the vain hope of finding a remedy, which the physician should, in such a case, have found in his own office. Now a little more know- ledge of the nature of mineral waters, and a more commendable caution in advising their use, would have prevented the heavy sacrifice this gentleman incurred. Nor is this by ony means an isoloted instance ; my case-book furnishes many others equally strong, that have come under my observa- tion in the course of my practice. Medical Efficacy, etc. — Mineral waters are ex- ceedingly valuable as medicinal agents, are ap- plicable to a large circle of.cases, and will, unques- tionably, jcure many which the ordinary remedies of the shops will not. Nevertheless, it should always be borne in mind that they are not a *M|||M>a>MMMiii«« MKOIOAL KTFICACY. 83 him what do, and I ry. This Men influ- him, pain- )ver hefore dly stated le mineral 1 of many led that he Influenced nralid had a hundred a remedy, case, have lore know- ind a more use, would gentleman m isolated iny others ly observa- rs are ex- )B, are ap- 11, unques- y remedies it should are not a cathdicon; that they are not to he used for every disease; and that, to be prescribed successfully, they must, like all other medicines, be prescribed vith reference to the nature and pathology of the case. Nor is this caution ordinarily more necessary in using the various medicines of the shops than in using the more potent mineral waters. Some there are, I know, who profess to be un- believers in the medicinal activity of mineral paters, and who, without denying the benefit that is often derived from visiting such fountains, at- tribute the whole to travel, change of air, exercise, relaxation from business, etc., etc. Now, I freely admit that these are often important agents in the cure of a large class of cases ; but, fiom long experience at a popular watering place, and the numerous cures I have seen effected from the water itself, totally disconnected with any of the adjuncts allnded to, it Would be quite as easy to convince me that bark is not tonic, that ^o^qp does not purge, or that mercury will not salivate, as that mineral waters may not be an active and potent means of curing disease, entirely independent of the valu- able adjuvants that have been alluded to. The advocates of the non-efficacy of mineral waters i)«rM, would scarcely persist in this opinion, after seeing the large amount of active medical material obtained by evaporation from some of our more active waters; the white aidphur, for instance, which yields more than one hundred and fifty i u MINBRAL WATERS IN GENERAL. grains to the gallon, and which, upon analysis, is found to consist of iodine, sulphur, the various comhinations of soda, magnesia, and other active ingredients. Would it not be absurd to believe that so large an amount of these efficient medical substances, as is usually taken into the stomach by those who drink mineral waters in which they abound, could fail to exert dk positive influence upon the economy? My owii experience for many years, in the use of such waters, enables me to bear the most unequivocal testimony as to the dired and positive influence of many of them upon the human body. In the language of the celebrated Patissier I can unhesitatingly say, that, " in the general, mineral waters revive the languishing circulation, give a new direction to the vital energies, re-estab- lish the perspiratory action of the skin, bring back to their physiological type the vitiated or sup- pressed secretions, provoke salutary evacuations either by urine, or stool, or by transpiration; they bring about in the animal economy an intimate transmutation — a profound change; they saturate the sick body. How many sick persons, aban- doned by their physicians, have found health at mineral springs? How many individuals, ex- hausted by violent diseaee, have recovered, by a journey to the mineral waters, their tone, mobility, and energy, to restore which, attempts in other ways might have been made with less certitude of success." And hence, most cordially do I adopt .1 n ai S St e( P< di m en te CO mi mi to sei lai vej die or< ela by 'i.J ' U ' ilU^A'^ ' .' MODUS OPERANDI. 35 aalysis, is ,e various ler active to believe it medical i stomach ■hich they lence upon any years, 3 bear the iirect and he human L Patissier ) general, rculation, , re-estab- >ring back d or sup- racuations ion; they . intimate f saturate >ns, aban- health at luals, ex- sred, by a mobility, I in other »rtitttde of lo I adopt the sentiments of the distinguished Dr. Armstrong who, in speaking of the medicinal effipacy of min- eral waters, says, <^I dare pledge my ward, that, if tUy he ordyfvhy and fairly tried, they will he found am»ig the moat powerful agents which have ever heen brought to the relief of human maladies." Modus Operandi, efc.— Various attempts have .been made to account for the peculiar eflfects of mineral waters upon the system. They seem to act, in the first phice, as a simple hygienic agent. Secondly, they act, in accordance with their con- stituent ingredients, specifically on the animal economy. Mineral waters exert their more im- portant influences upon the human body upon a diflferent principle from many of the articles of the materia medica; they are evidently absorbed, enter into the circulation, and change the consis- tence as, well as the composition of the fluids; they course through the system, and apply the medical materials which they hold in solution, in the most minute form of subdivision that can be conceived of to the diseased surfaces and tissues ; they reach and search the most minute ramifications of the capil- laries, and remove the morbid condition of those vessels, which are so commonly the primary seats of disease. It is thus that they relieve chronic dis- ordered action, and impart natural energy and elasticity to vessels that have been distended either by inflammation or congestion^ while they com- H I Je^ni i».l»**^»K s^ -4 9« MINEBAL WATERS IN OEKERAL. municate an energy to the muscular fibre and to the animal tissues generally which is not witnessed from the administration of ordinary remedies. Many of the articles of the materia medica seem to act by sympathy and counter-irritation, and to cure one oiigan of the body by irritating another ; thus calomel, by irritating the stomach and duode- num, is made to act efficiently upon the liver, to which organ it has a strong specific tendency. Not so, however, with mineral waters ; they never cure one organ by irritating another. I can with confidence assert, that I have neyer seen mineral waters successfully used in any case in which they kept up a considerable irritation upon any of the organs of the body. Both physicians and patients are quite too much in "the habit of looking to the immediate and aeneir Ue cperationa of mineral waters, and of judging of their efficacy from such effects. In most oases, it is serviceable for such agents to open the bowels gently; and in some, it is best for them to purge actively. Occasionally, advantage is de- rived from promoting an increased flow of urine or perspiration ; but, as a general rule, the greatest good is derived from the absorption of the water, resulting in that "profound change" spoken of by Patissier, or, in other words, the (dieraiive action of the remedy. It should always be borne in mind that this profound change — this alterative ^edb — ^is incompatible with constant or. active t I t WHil-gtiftahniltWip ' . ..iiMmiiiii iiiritiiiiii^^ MODCB OPBRaNDI. 37 bre and to ; witnessed tedies. edica seem atlon, and g another ; ind duode- le liver, to tendency. they never I can with, en mineral iirhich they any of the e too much ; and senai- of judging In most bo open the for them to tage is de- >w of urine ;he greatest the water, spoken of i alteraiive ys be borne is (lUeraiive i or. active action of the water upon any of the emunctories. This, unquestionably, is true as relates to the White Sulphur Water, and I believe it to be so with all alterative waters. So well convinced am I, that the alterative actum IS the real curative action eflTected by sulphur waters, in nine cases out of ten where any serious disease exists, that, ordinarily, I am not solicitous to obtain much daily increase of evacuation from any of the emunctories. On the contrary, I ofteii find great advantage from the administration of some appropriate means to prevent the too free action of the water, especially on the bowels and kidneys. As a general rule, it is far better that such waters should lie qmetly upon the system, without mani- festing much excitement upon any of the organs and producing, at most, but a small increase in the quantity of the ordinary healthy evacuations. The quality or kind of evacuations produced by mineral waters is a matter of far more importance, and, when strong sulphur waters are used, never fail to evidence the existence and the egctent to which alterative action is going on in the system, and to this persons using such waters should always pay a careful attention. I have said that the best effects of mineral waters are their alterative ot changing effects ; an ig > gy^ ' HOW LOKO TO BE USED. 39 is general te rule of apply in bration of 1 of every ference to iach case ; irill Bome- nanner to time. I e who are ;hey have . with the pt to feel the water eflfect. It the use of sceptions, eely, will e who are r have Uft the most f this is purgation ', and the ther case, rhed, and 8 — hring- a healthy machinery of the economy—silently putting its wwha to rights, and giving them their natural and healthy motion. All this requires time for its accom- plishment ; and hence, we often hear persons say, " I was no hotter while at the Springs, hut I hegan to mend soon after I left, and have continued hotter since." Declarations of this kind we con- stantly hear hy persons who have previously visited alterative Springs ; and they verify the correctness of my proposition. Length of Time to he used, etc.— To acute diseases, mineral watercrare not adapted ; for all such they are too exciting, too prone to increase the activity of the circulation, and to stimulate the general system. It is in chronic diseases only that they are found so eminently serviceahle. By chronic diseases I mean those slow diseases of the system uniformly attended either with simple excUemmt, chronic inflammation, or chronic congestion of the hjood-vessels. To he permanently beneficial in diseases of this description, the use of mineral waters, like the disease for which they are taken, should be "chronic." I mean an instantaneous cure should not be expected ; but that the remedy should be persisted in, and the cure gradually brought about. Sulphur waters, especially, may be easily brought into disrepute by short and im- perfect trials of them. To prove effectual, " they should for the most part be continued dAily^ia ~. . ■nt . -. l^, .JBi:., ji rriit i il liMi ^>llnii#-W4#rt*jia^$1^^VjT*ii , 40 HTSEBLAh WATEBS IN GENERAL. sufficient quantity until the disease gives way, or until their inefilcacy has been fairly proved by an unremitted perseverance. In some cases of opthal- mia, of rheumatism, and alight cutaneous affections, I have known them to effect a cure in two or three weeks, while in other cases, apparently similar in all respects, twice, thrice, or even four times that period has elapsed before the cure had been accom- plished ; and what is here affirmed of these ex- ternal affections, is still more strongly applicable to internal diseases, which are seldom speedily overcome by these waters, how completely soever they may yield at last. In illustration of this point, as to internal diseases^ it may be mentioned that I have seen both chronic inflammation of the liver, and chronic inflammation of the rectum, where no benefit was produced for three or four weeks, and yet a contimiation of the waters for six or eight weeks longer has effaced every vestige of the morbid indications for which they were pre- scribed." (Armstrong on Sulfur WcUers.) There is no greater folly in the' use of mineral waten?^ than that of laying down a definite period of time for which they should he used, without re- ference to their effects upon the system. Like all other medicines, mineral waters should be used, discontinued, or modified in their use, with a strict regard to their operations upon the body, and to their good or bad effects upon the disease. Whenever prescribed, their operations should be » » jii) ji i»i . > i>« i _' i ssm^ or HOW LONG TO BB USED. #1 watched with the same care with which we watch the effects of any other medicine ; and they should be persevered in, or temporarily or permanently discontinued, or controlled in their action by some appropriate adjuvant, according to the indications presented in each case. It will occur to every reflecting mind, that the expectation of being cured, or even essentially benefited, in an obstinate chronic disease, from a few days' use of any mineral water, is altogether unreasonable. Nevertheless, I have often seen persons at watering places despairing of the effi- cacy of the remedy, simply because it had not produced an obvious and appreciable benefit in five or six days. A sort of stereotyped opinion indeed prevails with numerous visitors to such places, that the water should not in any case be used longer than two weeks. I scarcely need say that this is a most erroneous opinion, and often inter- poses between the patient and his recovery. It is true, that some who hold the unwarrantable opinion alluded to, perseveringly endeavor to drink as much in the *' two weeks" as they should do in six, but this only serves in a common way to make them abandon it four or five days before their prescribed time, by absolutely disqualifying the system for its reception at all. I can say, as the result of many years' observa- tion, that the White Sulphur, which is one of the strongest sulphur waters in the world, rarely 4* IflNERAL WATEBS IN OBNERAL. produces its full alterative effects withia two weeks, under its most judicious administration, and under favorable circumstances for its use ; and that three, four, five, and even eight weeks often elapse before it has displayed its full reme- dial powers in obstinate cases. And such will be found to be the case with all alterative waters. General Semarka on the Administration, etc. , etc. Mineral waters are all etimvlanta in a greater or less degree, and some have attributed much of their virtue to this property. Such an opinion, however, is cleariy erroneous. I have already remarked that such waters are rarely serviceable when they keep up any considerable irritation of an organ. I now remark, that any considerable excitement of- the general organism is equally prejudicial : indeed I have often been embarrassed, and sometimes thwarted in the successful use of mineral waters, from the prevalence of this quality. The amount of excitement resulting from the use of such waters depends upon the nature of their donstitu^t principles ; upon the quantity taken, the manner of taking it, and the excitability of each individual's constitution. If it be tt water abounding in sulphuretted hydrogen gas, the most essential difference exists in taking it toUh or unthout its gas; that is, in taking it fresh at the spring, or after its gas has flown off. In the use of the Svlphur Wat«r9, with or without their peculiar gas, the most marked difference i .ii !| [ l .li] i ii l n lil)ili [i l i i 'IJ'^jI Wi i THEIB ADMIMISTBAnON. thia two istration, its use ; ht weeks 111! reroe- h will be aters. ;reater or much of opinion, ) already rvioeable itation of siderable I equally arrassed, al use of of this resulting ipon the ipon the , and the ition. If lydrogen in taking l»king it flown off. r without Ufferenoe exists in their stimulating quality, and it is greatly advantageous in many cases, particularly in very excitable persons, to have the gas expelled in part, or in whole, before using them. Some mineral waters, by varying the method of their administration, or by the interposition of appropriate adjuvants, are capable of extensive and valuable modified actions and effects upon the human body. The White Sulphur is susceptible of as many varied, different, and modified actions upon the system generally, and upon its particu- lar organs, by varying the methods of using it, as is mercury, or antimony, or any of our leading therapeutical agents. For instance, it can be so used as to stimulate distressingly ; or, without any appreciable stimulating effect. It can be so given as almost invariably \jop^rge adivdy; or, without lessening the quantity producing such effect, but merely by changing the time and manner of taking it, it can be so given as to exert little or no cathartic operation. It may be directed to, or restrained from, the kidneys, or skin ; and what, in a general way, is far mora important, it can be so used as to lie quietly on the system, producing no excessive action upon any of the organs, and, with a quiet but sure progress, go on breaking up the obstructions in the glandular organs and removing the impediments to the proper discbarge of their functions : equalizing the circulation, re- moving chronic inflammations, and generally re- storing the energies of the system. •W mMA^^^^-^ iw^MtAMMM^diaviMMMtoiUftM u UmSRAXi WATERS IN 0B5HRAL. CHAPTER II. MINERAL WATERS IN GENERAL. COKTISVBD. SmrnUanee ^ *>»m Mineral Waten to Mercury— Errng long mercury nfidently i equally ipon the nportant d use of reaks up 8 gener- iury has arded as I. I am Q of the a matter rater, in RESEMBLANOB TO MERCURY, ETC. 45 my hands, has proved an alterative quite as cer- tain in its effects as mercury, though somewhat slower in its operations. Not only so, I believe it to be far better adapted than mercury to a large circle of cases, in which glandular obstructious and chronic inflammations are to be subdued. If the claims of the two remedies for preference were otherwise nearly equal, the great advantage on the score of safety from the sulphur water would give it an immense preference over its rival. Numer- ous cases present themselves, however, in which they are used in conjunction to great advantage. Where this becomes necessary, I have, as a gen- eral rule of practice, found it best not to continue the mercury longer than six or eight days ; nor is it often necessary to use it continually during that period. The effects of the White Sulphur Water upon the human body resemble mercury in several re- spects. Not to mention others, its resemblance is strikingly manifest from the fact of its producing salivation * under certain peculiar circumstances. Another marked similarity may be mentioned, especially as it has a direct bearing upon the proper method of its administration : I allude to the existence of a phlogistic diathesis in individuals *Dr. SalBbaiy, the Resident Pbysician at Avon Springs, has witnessed similar effects ttom the Avon water. -r i m knrsBAL watow in obkbiul. with whom either remedy is used. When the system resists the specific action of mercury, it is a certain test that the inflammatory diathesis pre- vails to a considerable extent, and this is the cause of the resistance ; for lessen the inflammatory diathesis by proper evacuations, and the specific action of the mercury will be readily induced. The system often ofiers the same resistance to the successful use of this water, which is evidently occasioned by the excess of the inflammatory diathesis, inasmuch as when the inflammatory disposition is abated by the lancet, purgatives, etc., the water promptly produces its wonted good effects. In the administration of this particular water, it is of the utmost consequence to keep this practical fact constantly in view, and, by proper treatment, to keep down both general and local excitement. Notwithstanding mineral waters are so well adapted to the cure of chronic diseases, it should not be expected that they will be uniformly suc- cessful; for it must be remembered that such diseases are only remediable when unconnected with alterations of organic tissue, which is their ultimate and mortal product. Nor is it reasonable to expect that any plan of treatment will succeed in all cases of chronic disease, unconnected with alteration of tissue; and I have accordingly found the methods recommended at times ineffec- tual, even when they were tried under circum- ii Mi i t I I s I I a ti P BRR0B8 AND ABUSI. i1 7hen the ury, it is fiesis pre- tho cause mmatory e specific induced, ice to the evidently mmatory mmatory irgatives, ited good larticular keep this »y proper and local so well it should rmly suc- hat such !onnected i is their sasonable 1 succeed ited with ;ordingly 8 ine£fec- ciroum- stances which simply indicated disorder of the function, without any concomitant sign of disor- ganization. Errora and Abuse of Mineral Waters, etc., etc.— I have before alluded to some of the abuses of mineral waters by those who resort to them for relief ; this subject, 1 conceive, may be still fur- ther pursued with profit to my readers. To one familiar with the many errors and mistakes com- mitted in the use of mineral waters in this coun- try, it will not seem wonderful that numbers return from visiting our most celebrated watering places, without having received any essential benefit, but be rather a matter of surprise that so large an amount of good is achieved. The pre- cautions in the use of such waters, deemed indis- pensable in France, Germany, and England, are greatly neglected here. There, the advice of a competent physician, who is well acquainted with the nature and peculiarities of the water, is thought so important, that persons rarely enter upon their use without such advice, and, at some places, are actually not permitted to do so. If similar precautions were more commonly adopted by visitors at our various watering places, a far larger amount of good would be achieved to the afflicted, much injury prevented, and the charac- ter of the several waters better established and preserved. It is a subject of daily and painful 48 MINERAL WATBBS IN OBNERAL. observation^ at all our principal watering places, to witness numerous indinduals using mineral waters that are not adapted to their cases ; and still more common is it to see those, to whose cases they are adapted, using them so improperly as entirely to prevent the good they would accom- plish under a proper administration. Professor Mutter, of Philadelphia, makes the following judicious remarks when speaking of the use and abuse of mineral waters in this country: "Like every other remedy of any efficacy, mineral waters are liable to abuse, and it is really astonishing that such glaring errors should be daily com- mitted, not only by the patients, but often by the physidana who recommend their employment. It is by no means an uncommon -occurrence (and those who have visited the springs of our country will bear me out in the statement I am about to make,) for an individual to arrive, furnished with a 'carte hlanche,' from a physician who has probably little or no knowledge of the active properties of the agent he recommends, to use the water as he may see fit, or with merely a charge to ' use it with caution.' Others are sent without any direction whatever, in the hope that the water may auit their condition, and come trusting in Providence alone. Others, again, arrive with written in- structions to drink so many glasses of the water per diem, whether it agrees with them or not. Many patients do not take the advice of a physi- g places, : mineral wes; and to whose iproperly Id accom- Frofessor following i use and : "Like al waters tonishing lily com- en by the nent. It ince (and r country about to shed with probably perties of ter as he tae it with direction may suit rovidence itten in- the water 1 or not. ' a physi- BRR0B8 AND ABUSB. 4» cian at all, but,.relying on the representations of those who have derived benefit, imagine that they, too, will be cured, although, in all probability, from the nature of their disease, the water may be the most prejudicial to which they could resort. Used in this careless and dangerous manner, is it to be wondered at, that so many individuals leave the springs, either not at all benefited, or in a worsfl condition than when they arrived ? The regulations which are thought necessary, and which are adopted in most European coun- tries, especially Prance and Germany, during the use of a mineral water, are either unknown or neglected in this. There, nearly every spring is supplied with an experienced physician; one familiar with the character of the water, whose duty it is to take charge of the sick as they ar- rive ; here, with but one or two exceptions, those who frequent our watering places have to rely on chance for medical aid. Is this as it should be ? " A vague impression seems to pervade the public mind, that mineral waters, as medicinal agents, are totally unlike all other medicines, and that, in their administration, there is no necessity for ob- serving any cautions, or for adopting extraneous expedients to procure the best effects of the agent employed. This is an error as injurious as it is common,and ought to be corrected in the public mind. Our more potent mineral waters ought indeed to be regularly incorporated into our mate- so MINERAL WATERS IN aSNERAL. riamedica, their several qualities properly defined, and the medical mind thus instructed to regard them, not only as valuable therapeutical agents, ji>er ae, but as agents capable of extensive and val- uable modifications in their application to disease. A pathological practice should be established in relation to them, not less strict than in relation to the ordinary remedies of the shops, and the best means of influencing their sanative operations on the system understood.. The physician who desires to throw his patient under the cdferative influence of mercury, is not so discouraged as to abandon the remedy, if it chance at first to run off by the \)owels, and tifus thwart his object ; but either by changing the method of using his medicine, or by uniting with it some o'^'^^^hing astringent, he ultimately effects the impori ' object in view. Neither should the patient h ^^ >uraged in the use of a mineral water be&^.w.» jic occasionally manifests a vagrant and improper effect ; for facilities can be com- manded to control its operations, as readily as we can control the improper (^orations of mer- cury. Such facilities may generally be found, either in an increase or diminution of the quantity taken-^4in alteration of the vcriode at which it has been taken — or, in the manner of using it, (where gases prevail,) in relation to its gaseous or un- gaseous form. Occasionally, medical adjuvants are found necessary, and then I have been in the i«irtto-iiil|iyi>iaWMa>fti ■r<'s3»^'»»^'''^-^' !iliiK«i '••~iS$ LTABIUTT TO ERBOB. m defined, I regard agents, and val- disease. sbed in lation to bhe best tions on I patient ', is not ly, if it nd tifas :in^ the ng with f effects luld the mineral vagrant be com- idily as of mer- fonnd, [uantity h it hag (where or un- juvants % in the hi^bit of using those most simple, and those which least derange the animal economy. As a general rule, I have found mineral waters most serviceable in those cases in which the stomach and general system tolerated them readily ; yet such toleration depends so much upon the proper preparation of the system, and the man- ner of using the water, that the patient should by no means infer that it is unsuited to his case simply because it has manifested some improper operation in the commencement. For, as before intimated, it will often happen, that by changing the method of using the water, or by the administration of some appropriate adjuvant, the difficulty will be removed, and the agent afterwards act most pleasantly and profitably upon the system. Liability to Error in Be/erence to Sulphur Waters. While on this subject, it is not inopportune, I conceive, to allude to a popular and common error in reference to the quality of sulphur waters in goaeral — an error into which the intelligent as well as the ignorant are prone to fall, — I allude to the very common mistake of forming a judgment as to the strength and value of a sulphur water merely from its taste and smM. Most persons who have not carefully investigated the subject, are ready to believe that they have discovered a val- uable sulphur fountain when they have found a water abounding in sulphuretted gas. This, as a «a WniTB SULPHUR sprhtos. generaUthing, would be a mistake, and, as it is a mistake that might lead to a profitless use of such waters by invalids, it seems proper that attention should be distinctly called to it. I have elsewhere* sufficiently contested the idea that sulphuretted hydrogen) gas ought to be re- garded as an efficient medicinal agent, except so far as its nervine and stimulant qualities give it such claims. I do not now propose to go over the arguments for the correctness of this opinion — they are sufficiently set forth in the chapter alluded to — ^but merely to enter up this caveat for the bene- fit of sulphur water drinkers,— -that the mere fact , of water being strongly impregnated with aulphti' rdted gas, is not, of itself, a sufficient evidence that it is a valuable remedial agent. We often see waters abounding in this gas, and, to the taste and smell, very much resembling the best of our standard waters, and hence imagined by many to be identical in quality and equal in strength to them, but which, upon trial, are ascer- tained to have but little medicinal value, and are found, by analysis, essentially without body, with little efficiency in their medicinal salts ; or, with a oombincUion of saline matters not well adapted to give them medicinal virtue. * Chapter on the " BelatiTe Inflnenceof the Gaseoqs and Solid Contents of Uw White Sulphur Water." UABIIITT TO KRROR. 18 it is a 3 of such ittention the idea be re- xcept so i give it over the pinion — r alluded :he bene- lere fact i aviphu- mce that ;as, and, ling the nagined squal in re ascer- andare iy, with or, with apted to I and Solid Neither does the color, nor abundance of de- posits, made by such waters, as they flow from their source, do more than aflford a problematical evidence of their value. • First. Because it is to the qualUy of the saline matters, rather than to their abundance, that we are to look for medicinal efficacy ; and. Second. Because the color of the natural depos- its of all sulphur waters, unmixed with foreign bodies, as I have elsewhere said, is always essen- tially the same, being invariably white or opake- white ; the various shades of blue, gray, red, black, etc., being occasioned by the influence of light and shade, or being chemical changes, occa- sioned by their coming in contact with foreign bodies. The color of the deposits of such waters, it will be seen, then,,cannot to any degree indicate their quality or value. A large amount of deposit of saline matters, yielded by any mineral- water, is Bixoug presumptive evidence of its strength, but is not conclusive evidence of its medicinal value, in the absence of a knowledge of the peculiar qual' ity and combination of such saline matters. Hence we should not hastily judge of the value of a min- eral water by the color of its deposits, nor even by the large amount of its deposits, but by their qual- ity, and the proportions in which they are rela- tively combined in the water, forming a compound 5* S4 WHITB SULPHUR SPRINGS. Buitod to the great mission of modifying and heal- ing disease. Springs are -occasionally found that abound, either largely or sparsely, in sulphuretted gas, and that contain but little saline salts ; and yet such springs are often valuable for particular forms or types of disease, and are rendered so from the quality and fortunate combination of their salts. On the other hand, waters may abound largely in saline matters, and some of these saline matters be valuable, too, a% single agents, yet the entire compound which they form may not be well adapted for sanatory and medicinal influences. CHANGINO PROM SPRING TO SPRING. A very common error, in the use of Mineral Waters, is the belief that the patient should often change from one water to another, and that no one should be used longer than some given number of days, and this without any reference to its effects upon the system. This absurd notion leads many persons to fly from spring to spring, performing in a few weeks or days the circuit of the whole *'tpring region," and without remaining long enough at any one to receive permanent benefit. Now, if the position heretofore laid down be cor- rect, that '' mineral waters, like all other med- icines, cure disease by exerting e^fecta upon the animal econoiiiy," the impropriety will be obvious ' ^IMIMINUUiK •mf mmm nd heal- abound, ted gas, and yet irticular i 80 from of their abound sei yet the t be well nces. a. Mineral lid often it no one imber of B effects Is many forming e whole ig long benefit. be cor- er med- pon the obvious CUAKOINO FROM SPRINO TO PVRINO. 55 to all of rapidly hastening from one fountain to another, without tarrying long enough at any to receive those effects upon the body which are .necessary to a cure. Such a water-drinker acts like the " maid of all works," always busy, but accomplishing nothing. What would be thought of the physician, who, having decided that his patient must undergo the influence of alterative action upon his system, and having put him upon a course of mercury to accomplish the object, should, just before this drug would have accomplished the end, discontinue its use, and put him upon iodine ; and, just as this was about to alterate the system, abandon it and substitute sarsaparilla ; and thus, from one drug to another, running through the whole routine of alterative remedies, without giving any sufficient time to effect the object ? This would surely be an absurd method of practice ; and yet it would not be more^bsurd than the course we often see pur- sued by visitors at mineral springs,— who literally waste their whole time in going frctm fountain to fountain, and thus debar themselves of all perma- nent good, by spending their time rather among the springs, than at any one of them. The state of mind which leads invalids thus improperly to act, is often induced from the random opinions or injudicious advice of their fellow sufferers, whom they meet with at the various watering places. One will tell another that they have seen or heard M MIKERAL WATERS ITSt OE27ERAL. of some person tliat was cured at once, at this, that, or the other spring. Among the Virginia Springs for instance, you will he assured hy one, that the " White " i*- the place ; hy another, that the " Salt" is hotter suited to your case ; a third informs you that you would do hotter at the "Blue;" while others will tell you there is nothing like the "Red," the "Sweet," the "Warm," the "Hot." Thus are the minds of persons frequently perplexed, until they come to the conclusion to "make the rounds" and try them all for a day or two. In this way the hap- less invalid is often led to fritter away the whole time he reniains in the mountains, without deriving permanent advantage from "all the springs," when, very prohahly, the time he had fruitlessly spent at them all would have heen sufficient to have cured him at any one of them. Let it he distinctly understood that these remarks are meant for the serious invalid only. Persons who visit the springs for amusement or pl^sure, or those who go merely as a relaxation from business, and require only the tone which travel and moun- tain air can give, may, with great propriety, go from spring to spring, and spend their time just where they are the happiest. But for the invalid w?u> has something /or the waters to do, it is not so ; he should first wisely determine which of the springs is best calculated to cure his disease, and having settled this important question, should persevere \^ < ( I 1 i ( r \ 1 I V ii at this, Virginia by one, ler, that , a third at the there is t," the ' ninds of come to and try ;he hap- lie whole without ' all the he had ve been tJtem. remarks Persons ksure, or easiness, d moun- riety, go ime just } invalid ot so ; he I springs having crsevere CHANarajO FROM SPRIKO TO SPKIKO. 57 in the use of that particular water; oorefully watching its effects, and "not be carried about by every wind of doctrine," but continue the use of the agent thus wisely selected, either until its inap- plicability has been proven, or until it produces the specific effects which he desires. This being accomplished, there may be, and often is, a neces- sity for visiting other springs.* DRESS. Delicate persons, visiting the mountains or colder latitudes for health, should be particularly cautious on the subject of dress. It is rather more easy to dress with the ever varying fashions', than to dress appropriately for aU the weather that happens in mountainous regions generally, during the water- ing seasons. The weather, in such situations, is often so variable and uncertain as to make it a good general rule for the invalid to dress without reference to any particular state of it, but always warm and comfortable, with (in most oases) but little change from his dress in the spring season before he reached the mountains. Some invalids will be benefited by constantly wearing soft flannel next the skin, not only because if keeps up a more uniform temperature than i! 68 MINERAL WATiOtS IN OBNERAL. linen, but also because of the gentle excitement it occasions on the surface of the body. The best summer dress, however, which I have ever seen worn next the body, — and always a valuable ac- companiment of jlanndy winter and summer, — is woven silk. I am led to believe, from experience, that silk, worn next the skin, is the very best protection we can command against the influence of cold. In rheumatism and neuralgia, a covering of woven silk is a valuable remedy; and for all delicate persons^ and for those peculiarly susceptible to colds, it is a most invaluable shield to the body. The superiority of silk over every other covering is probably owing to its peculiarity as a non-con- ductor of electricity ; but whether this be so or not, is left to the astute medical philosopher to determine ; it is sufficient for me to know the fact of its superior efficacy, without stopping to account for it. Since the above paragraph was first written, I have had ten years additional observation of the use of silk as a covering for delicate and suscepti- ble persons; and the result is, that I am more than ever convinced of its great superiority. In- deed, such persons, while in our variable climate, and under the influence cf suphur waters^ that increase the susceptibility of the system, cannot, by any other dress, so effectually secure themselves against the encroachment of cold, as by the use of flilk sacks worn next the skin. Nor ought this pre- DRBBS, DIET, EXVRCISB, BTO. 69 :itement it The best ever seen kluable ao- mmer, — is xperience, very best 3 influence a covering ind for all susceptible )the body, r covering a non-con- 8 be BO or osopber to >w the fact ; to account I written, I tion of the d suscepti- [ am more ority. In- >le climate, aters^ that m, cannot, themselves ' the use of bt this pre- caution to be neglected by such, especially as the existence of a cold always renders the use of the waters less efficacious, and sometimes positively injurious, for the time it may continue. DIET, EXERCISE, ETC. Diet and exercise, during the use of mineral water, are of too inuch importance to be passed over without notice. It is to be regretted that so little as relates to diet is placed within the power of the invalid at our watering places generally. Usually there is but one general system of living at all such places, and this invariaUy a system very illy adapted to the invalid.- Persons using mineral water may ordinarily indulge, in moderation, in that diet which they found to agree best with them at home. Impru- dences as to the kind of food, or of excess in its quantity, should be as carefully avoided by the invalid while using such water, as when under treatment by other medical means. This, how- ever, is by no means commonly the case. Mineral waters generally remove acidity from the stomach, and sharpen both the appetite and the digestion ; hence it is often really difficult for the invalid to restrain himself at table, and we might be astonished to see the quantity and quality of food he sometimes consumes. Dyspeptics, as might be expected, suffer most from impropriety in diet: SISffiT"- ms^- 60 MIITBRAL WATKRS IN OENBRAL. indeed, I am persuaded that more than half the good these waters would otherwise achieve in such oases, is prevented by impropriety in diet. But the evil of over and improper feeding, although most manifest in dyspeptics, is by no means con- fined to such. Upon the subject of diet. Dr. Bell has well observed, that " slow and laborious diges- tion, heartburn, disordered kidneys, discoloration of the skin, and some a£fections ot the liver, often the effects of excessive eating and drinking alone, are not to be readily cured by visiting mineral springs, and keeping up the same kind of living." If they (and the remark applies to all invalids) be sincerely desirous of gaining health, they will most successfully do so by simplifying their re- >gimen, and abstaining from all those appliances to force appetite and tickle the taste, which they had formerly used in the shape of ardent spirits, wine, and malt liquors, fried meats, pastry, and unripe fruits. In fine, we may sum up in a few words, by repeating, after the great father of medicine, that aU excesses are dangerous; a maxim every one must have fully tested. Eating much in the evening, sitting up late, prolonged and immoderate dancing, remaining too long in the cool air of the evening, are often the cause of many unpleasant complaints, which might have been easily prevented. The passions are to be kept in check by avoiding every exciting cause, either of the boisteroua Ci. a half the ve in such iiet. But , although leans con- ;, Dr. Bell iouB diges- iculoration iver, often ing alone, g mineral ►f living." invalids) , they will ; their re- appliances h they had rits, wine, ind unripe few words, medicine, I every one ; up late, remaining I are often its, which T avoiding Bteroua C;. DIRT, EXEBCISR, ETC. CI molanclioly kind. A giddy clinso after pleasure and luxurious indulgonco, are scarcely more rep- rohcnsiblo than an indolent and secluded lite. The kind ond amount of exercise to be indulged in by the patient must, of course, be rcgtilated by the nature of his disease and the attendant cir- cumstances ; walking, riding on horseback or in a carriage, may be selected, as one or the other may be best adapted to the physical ability, and to tiio inclinations of the patient ; but, in some foroi or other, all whose strength will admit of it ijhould take regular exercise in good weather. 62 MINERAL WATERS IN OENBRAL. CHAPTER III. USE OF* MEDICINES AND DIFFERENT MINERAL WATERS. Prescribing Mineral Waten. The judicious administration of mild and appro- priate medicines, in connection with the use of mineral waters, with the object of facilitating their operations upon the system, is often a matter of primary importance. All writers who treat of mineral waters as medi- cinal agents, urge upon invalids the propriety of obtaining experienced medical advice before com- mencing their use, and allude to tlfe occasional necessity of using medicines in connection with them in obstinate cases. But the circumstances under which medicines should be used, and the primary necessity of the practice in particular cases, has not always been as fully insisted on as the merits of such practice demand. This, we suppose, has been owing rather to the positions occupied by the various authors on mineral waters, than to any want on their part of a proper appre- ciation of the subject. A portion of such authors, although learned and scientific men, and highly distinguished in their profession, ha^e not, never- httmsaiamtm -i fT id appro- e use of ingtheir natter of as inedi- )riety of )rc com- !casional on with nstances and the .rticular d on as his, we ositions waters, : appre- luthors, highly , never- ■W« USE OF MEDICINES. 88 theless, had a large actual experience in the treatment of disease at mineral fountains, and with mineral waters. Hence the teachings of such Vave, very properly, heen designed to show the value and adaptation of such agents as inde- pendent remedies, rather than as important adju- vants in particular cases ; consequently they have treated of them in a somewhat isolated sense, and as they would have treated of any single article of the materia medica. The few who have written upon the subject, whose residence at mineral fountains has afforded enlarged opportunities for investigating the peculiar effects of the waters in individual and diversified cases, may, to some extent, have been restrained^- by motives of deli- cacy, from enlarging upon this subject as fully as they should have done. Such authors, being set- tled as practitioners at the fountains of which they write, may not unnaturally have felt, that for them to urge upon the invalid visitor the necessity of medical advice and assistance, however im- portant they might esteem it, and with however much of candor and disinterestedness they might do so, would possibly subject them to invidious Reflections by the illiberal, or even from the dis- creet stranger, who, not fully appreciating the importance of the subject, might misapprehend their well-meant motives. Many persons are disposed to regard mineral waters, in their curative powers, as a panacea, rtflWI m USB OF MEDICINES AND and, like the much-eitoh/ i catholicons of the day, unaided by other appliances, and in despite of scientific directions and all the rules of art, adapted to cure all manner of diseases. I need scarcely say that such opinions, when entertained, are very erroneous, and that the judgment which regards them as important remedies in nature's materia medica, having, indeed, a wide and valu- able scope of operation, but, like all-other remedies, necesaarily demanding various modifications and cautions in their use, would be far more correct and reliable. Many consecutive years of experience, in the administration of mineral waters, have given me great confidence in their employment ; indeed, I yield to no one in admiration of their happy adap- tation for many ills to which flesh is heir. As in- dependerU remedies, totally disconnected with all other medicinal aid, they are often fully sufficient to attain the sanative end desired. So, too, we occasionally find a single article of the materia medica, unaided by other articles, capable of pro- ducing every beneficial effect that the case de- mands. Doubtless, like results occasionally take place &om the employment of the various panaceas or catholicons of the age. But where we meet with one case in which a single article of the ma- teria medica, or an artificial panacea, unaided by aU other means, satisfactorily fulfills all indica- tions of treatment in chronic disease, and results V;i^?.-;.t.'.^'>-->w-^. i ^ij|in i fi i '.n^ i( .y. i 70 PRBBORIBINO MINERAL WATERS. siblo duties devolved upon him. . To some extent he must be the recipient, in a professional point of view, of the confidence of the invalid stranger who has left a distant homo, to seek at medicinal fountains the best remedy for the maladies of which he hopes tojbe relieved. This confidence, while it is agreeable to the honorable mind, is not without onerous responsibility. A sufficient knowledge of our various mineral springs, to enable the medical adviser to judge correctly of their specific character and adapta- tions, unfolds at once to him a wide field for the exercise of skill and judgment, in selecting for his patient the one best adapted to the nature and wants of his case. In the Virginia Spring region, for instance, we are surrounded by a perfect galaxy of mineral fountains, of almost every variety and adaptation. We have the Sulphur waters, in their various modifications ; we have the Chalybeatea, simple and compound, in great variety ; the Saline, in several varieties ; the Aluminous, or acidulated aluminous chalybeates, in three or four varieties ; and thermal waters of every temperature, from 62° to 106°. All these fountains of healing, with their varied modified influences, (for each one differs in some essential particulars from all the others,) should be regarded as so many different articles in nature's materia medica; each pos- sessing adaptations somewhat peculiar to itself, — IWftl lt ir i i i f H i ' ■iiin i i i i> ii» i tii me extent >nal point i stranger medicinal aladies of onfidence, ind, is not IS mineral ' to judge d adapta- Id for the BCting for lature and stance, we f mineral daptation. ir various 68, simple Saline, in acidulated varieties ; ure, from ling, with each one m all the J different each pos- to itself, PRBSORIBINO MINERAL WATERS. n for the different diseases or states of the system. Here, then, is a wide range for the medical adviser, and his tact and success, in advising most wisely, will necessarily depend upon his acquaint- ance with the peculiar qualities and specific effects of all these different agents. , Again, such an adviser, to be most useful to his patients, must be careful not to be influenced by his focoj)er«onoB, or to regard the particular fountain over whose medical direction he presides, as a cathdicon, and adapted better than any other to all sorts and conditions of cases. A medical adviser, at a mineral fountain, could not well fall into a greater error, or more clearly evidence a want of wise discrimination, than in finding his remedy, in all cases, in the particular agent which ho immediately directs ; for, in the nature of things, such universal preference would often be mis- placed. Standing in the delicate relation which such an adviser holds to the invalid public, he must regard the various mineral agencies around him somewhat in the same light in which he regards the various medicines of the apothecary's shop, anc' should wisely and freely choose among them for the use and benefit of his patients. Any other course would be empirical, — hazardous to the best interest of the unfortunate invalid, and utterly unworthy of his confidence. Under such proper and discriminating advice, the patient will often, perhaps, in a majority of FW)W!»9l?W«ffyKs*^«-"'- n PRESCRIBmo MIXERAL WATERS. cases, be led in the course of liis cure to the use of several of the diflfercnt fountains. The some water, however potent it may be, is not always, nor even generally, sufficient to meet all the indica- tions that exist in the case, and, unaided, to produce a perfect eure. There is nothing more common than thu certainty with which a particular water accomplishes particular results upon the animal economy, while it fails to accomplish other results that will be readily achieved by other and dissimilar waters. For instance, while the waters of the White Sulphur Springs are well adapted 4o produce alterative effects upon the secretory organs, ond, by their general emulging and changing influences, to bring the system into a natural or physiological type, — actions and in- fluences that are primary in their importance, and essential to a cure ; this being accomplished, some of the more tonic and nervine toaiera will be found far better adapted to strengthen the animal fibre, and to complete the cure. So other potent waters, through the whole catalogue of springs have each their sphere of usefulness, that must not be overlooked by the discriminating adviser in the treatment of par- ticular cases ; and hence they nil should be arrayed and labeled, as it were, in nature's grea* laboratory, and prescribed intelligently, and as their use is indicated in the variety of diseases that are sought to be healed by such agents. YIRQINIA SPRIKOS. 78 he use of he same vays, nor 9 indica- lidcd, to ng more articular ipon the ish other ther and le waters lapted to secretory ing and tn into a and in- ance, and led, some be found Qal fibre, le whole jphere of i by the b of par- [tould be b's grea* ', and as tases that CHAPTER IV. VIRGINIA 8PRIN08. In treating of the Springs of Virginia, I shall not be guided by their chemical classification, nor strictly by their medicinal importance, but in accordance with their location in the geographical divisions of the State. The Sp tings strictly pertaining to what has long been known as the «* Spring Begim," will be first noticed ; — next, those located in or contiguous to the great Shenandoah VaUey^ formed by the Apa- lachian chain of mountains on the West, and the Blue Bidge Mountain on the East. Then will follow those found on the eastern slopes of the Blue Bidge and in the plane country stretching towards the ocean, known as Eastern Virginia. 7uastly, those located in the Western part of tha Oreat Valley and in the Southwestern counties of the State. The entire series of Virginia Springs presents great variety in chemical and therapeutic charac- ter. It comprises various and differently com- pounded sulphur waters ; the cfhalybeates simple and compounded ; the acidulous or carbonated ^ the saline; the aluminated chalybeaies — with thermal 7 aaaggj&i i 74 VIRGINIA BPRIMOI. watoM, varying in temperature, from 62 to 106 degrees of Fahrenheit. Of these SpringN, the sulphurous waters are found in greater abundance and in greater strength immediately on the Western and Eastern slopes of the Alleghany Mountains, the strongest being on its Western declension. The simple chalybeatea are found in every great section of the commonwealth, but in greatest strength along the course of the great Apalachian range, extending from the Kortheastern to the Southwestern extremities of the State. The adduious or carbonated waters, M well as the cduminated chalybeates, exist in the greatest variety and strength in the central portions of the Great Valley, in the counties of Augusta, Rock- bridge, Alleghany, Monroe and Craig, but are found in several other counties. South and West, along the course of the Alleghany and Blue Ridge Mountains. Waters more or less distinctly belonging to the saline class are found in the same range of country. The most abundant mineral tv-aters in the State, except the simple chalybeate, are the aluminated ehalybeates or alum waters as they arc commonly called in Virginia. They are found in numerous localities in a district of country extending through the State North and South for more thau two hundred miles. They are generally found adjacent to faults in the strata, or where the rocks 1^ ■^ 2 to 106 iers are strength slopos uf •eing on teatea are 1 wealth, B of the om the nities of well as greatest Qs of the %, Rock- but are 1 West, d Bine istinctly he same le State, minated mmonly imerouB tending re thau ' found le rocks ROUTES TO THB PKINaPAI. VIBOINIA SPRINQS. 76 givo evidence of derangement from their natural positiot], and near the junction of sftUey slate with limcstono. They are invariably, I believe, an infiltration through talcose slate which lies a few foct below the surface in large districts of the mountain ranges alluded to. I have examined numerous specimens of these waters, obtained from various neighborhoods, ^rom the headwaters of the Shenandoah river to the extreme South- western border of the State, and hare found thorn to possess the leading chemical characteristics of the springs of this class that have been brought into popular use. 1 believe that all the mineral waters in this great range of disturbance, are slightly thermal, compared with the temperature of the common springs in theijr vicinity. But the boundary of the thermal waters, commonly so called, is only about fifty miles in length and of narrow dimen- sion, having the Hot and Warm Springs for its Northern, and the Sweet Chalybeate and Sweet Springs for its Southern extremes. ROUTES TO THE PRINCIPAL VIRGINIA SPRINGS. The reffults of the war between the Northern and Southern States, just ended, so materially deranged traveling facilities to many of the Virginia Springs as to make the following directions essential to distant parties who desire to visit them. 76 ROUTBS TO THB PBINOIPAL VIBOINIA BPRXNOS. The traveler to any of the principal Springs in the mountains of Virginia, either from the North^ East or West, to avail themselves most largely of railroad facilities, must necessarily make Staunton a point in their journey. From StaurUon, the Bockbridge and Bath Alum, the Warm, Hot, Healing, White Sviphur, ScHtyOnA Bed Sulphur Springs, are conveniently reached hy railroad, with small amount of staging, and in the order in which they are here set down. The Sweet and Bed Sweet are on the same general route, and are reached by a detour of seventeen miles from the White SvJphur. The Yellow, the Montgomery White, the AUe- ghany. Coiners, and. Blue Bidge Springs, are reached by the traveler going East on the Virginia & Tennessee Bailroad in the order in which they are here enumerated. — — -•- — --- ^ i ^ , ,^ tros. ings in } North^ •gely of CAUNTON \ Alum, 'alt, and uhed by 1 in the 1. The general renteen le AUe- reached ;inia & ;hey are t. *ws*» ^HffSMM whub sulphur spbinqs. 77 CHAPTER V. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. laeation and Oenerai Phyiieal OhanxeterisUe»—lU Stretifffh wm- formiy the tame — Doe» not lose its Strength by parting wUh its Gat — Does not Deposit its Saits when Quieseent—Its Cfas foM, to Fiih — Its Early History— Known to the Indians ata " Medicine WcUer"— First used by the Whites in mS—Itogress qf Improve- ments and Present Condition^Anaiyses qf Mr. Hayes and Pro- fessor Sogers. Thb White Sulphur Springs are located in the County of Greenbrier, West Virginia, on Howard's Creek, and on the immediate confines of the *' Great Western Valley," being but six miles west of the Alleghany chain of mountains, which separates the waters that f^ow into the Chesapeake Bay from those which run into the Gulf of Mexico. The waters of the spring find their way into Howard's Creek two hundred yards from their source, which, after flowing five miles, empty into Greenbrier River. The spring is situated on an elevated and beauti- fully picturesque valley, hemmed in by mountains on every side. Kate's Mountain, celebrated as the theatre of the exploits of a chivalrous heroine in the days of Indian troubles, is in full view, and . j> . ) i n, i. ».. 78 WHITB SULPHUR SPRINGS. about two miles to the south; to the west, and distant from one to two miles, are the Greenbrier JUountains; while the towering Alleghany, in all its grandeur, is found six miles to the north and east. The spring is in the midst of the celebrated "Spring Region," having the "Hot Spring" thirty-five miles to the north ; the " Sweet," seventeen miles to the east; the "Salt," and "Red," the one twenty-four, the other forty-one miles, to the south ; and the " Blue," twenty-two miles to the west, lis latitude is about 2*I^° north , and its longitude 3^° west from Washington. Its ^elevation above tide-water is two thousand feet. It bursts with unusual boldness from rock-lined apertures, and is inclosed by marble casements five feet square and three and a half feet deep. Its tempercaure is 62° of Fahrenheit, and remains uniformly the same during the winter's blasts and the summer's heat ; any apparent variation from this temperature will be found, I think, to be owing to the difference in thermometers, as repeated trials with the same instrument proved the tem- perature to be uniform. The principal spring yields about thirty gallons per minute ; and it is a remarkable fact that this quantity is not perceptibly increased or diminished during the longest spells of wet or dry weather ; while other bold springs of the country have failed during the long droughts of summer, this has mam PHTSIOAL CHARACTERISTICS. Id invariably observed " the even tenor of its way." There is no discoloration of the water during long wet spells, or other evidences that it becomes blended with common water percolating through the earth. The quantity and temperature of this spring being uniform under all circum- stances, gives a confidence, which experience in its use has verified, of its uniform strength and efficiency. The water is most clear and trans- parent, and deposits copiously^ as it flows over a rough and uneven surface, a white, and sometimes, under peculiar circumstances, a red and black, precipitate, composed in part of its saline ingre- dients. Its taste and smell, fresh at the spring, are that of all waters strongly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen gas. When removed from the spring, and kept in an open vessel for a suffi- cient length of time for this gas to escape, or, when it has been heated or frozen for this purpose, it becomes essentially tastdeas and inodorous, and could scarcely be distinguished, either by smell or taste, from common limestone water. Its cathartic activity, however, is rather increased than diminised when thus insipid and inodorous.* It does not lose its transparency by parting with its gas, as many other waters do ; nor does it deposit its salts in the slightest degree when * See cbap. v., on "Th« rdattw virtuea tf th« tdUne andgtueou* emtmUtqftkeWMeSulphiir water." ^WJwiDg is n air, its lis water ncasures volume, ... 1018 ... 108 ... 3-444 ... ■<■' 8-683 le water having 16-789 36-1000 BSpondir^ I ■trnctOi« I, dining- bare also >TOmeiit8, 4, and the by which alilte in arrange- ice. ANALTSn. 8T Sulphate of lime 67-168 Sulplmto of magnesia , 80-864 Chloride of magnesium .959 Carbonate of lime 6-060 Organic matter (dried at ai3»P.) 3740 Carbonic acid !!'4-B84 Silicates (silica l-84t potash -18, soda -66, magTiesia and a trace of oxyd. iron) 2-O6O 115-78a ** Unlike saline sulphurotted waters generally this water contains a : iuute proportion of chlorine only, the sulphates of lime ani magnesia forming nearly ten-elevenths of the saline matter. " The alkaline hases are also in very small pro- portion, and seem to be united to the silicious earths, in combination with a peculiar organio matter. The organic matter, in its physical and chemical character, resembles that found in the water of the Red Sulphur Springs, and differs essentially from the organic matter of some ther- mal waters. " In ascertaining its weight, it was rendered dry at the temperature of 212° F. When dry, it is a grayish- white, translucent solid. When recently separated from a fluid containing it, it appears as a thin jelly or mucilage, and gives to a large bulk of fluid a mucouslike appc ranee, with the property of frothing by agitation. It unites with metallic ozydes and forms compounds both soluble and insoluble. In most cases an excess of base renders the compound insoluble. The compound with oxyde of silver is soluble in ■n mfffamUmiUm i's-Vft^STtTT* WUm STTLPHUn SPRINGS. water ; with baryta and lime it does not form a precipitate, while magnesia forms with it a hydrous white, gelatinous mass. In acids it dis- solves ; the oxy-acids do not change its composi- tion, while they are diluted and cold ; by boiling they produ 'J s^lphiiric acid from its constituent sulphur, ar, cliang? its carbon to other forms. In contact -wiith •. ariuy sulphates at a moderate temperature, it ^jroduces hydr6-sulphuric acid, and to this source that acid contained in the water may be traced. This substance does not rapidly attract oxygen from the atmosphere, and from colored compounds, as some other organic com- pounds do. The proportion of organic matter, liko thai usually contained in our waters, is in this water very i-ioiall ; until forty-nine fiftieths of the bulk of u quantity is evaporated, the residual matter does not become colored, and, when the saline residue is dried, it is of a pale yellow. " The medicinal properties of this water are probably due to the action of this organic sub- stance. The hydro-sulphuric acid, resulting from its natural action, is one of the most active sub- stances within the reach of physicians, and there are chemical reasons for supposing that, after the water has reached the stomach, similar changes, accompanied by the product of hydro-sulphuric acid, take place.* *See chap, v., on " the rdative vMua ef Vu laUne and gatetnu tMimUtfmWMUSuliphvrvtaUr." J ■*'»T^«ewras>r-*»'fc'^:^g^ra(^^-:- ; f ^. ^^ v^, V1^. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 11.25 Ui|2£ |M ■tt lii 12.2 IS 1^ 12.0 •It m 1^41 1.6 R' PhotDgraiiiic Sciences CorpOTalion 23 WBT MAM STMIT WnSnR,N.Y. 14510 (71«) •72-4903 f «' CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historicai IVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductiont historiques CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historicai IVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductiont historiques I ARAIiTBlB. - << Substances, having oharaotero similar to those presented by this matter, have been classed with the lower order of living plants. With such matters, this substance does not belong, in the state in which it is foand in the water, for it there forms compounds, the result of chemical affinities, wholly incompatible with vital action. In its altered state, produced by atqiospheric agencies, it may nourish plants and develop the growth of seeds fitted to such a soil as its elements form." . Professor William B. Rogers has also analyaed thi« water. The following is the result of his examinntionrf - Solid matter, procured by evaporation from 100 cubic inches of White Sulphur water, weighed, after being dried at 212°, 65*54 grains. Quantity of each solid ingredie,nt in 100 cubic inches, estimated as perfectly free from water : Solpbateirf Ubu 81-686 grrins. Bti]^teofDia«ne8i» 8"«*1 " SaI|>luiteof sodK... 4-080 " OurtKHiate of Ume. ~ «. .• IMO " OtrlMmate of magimfia 0-ttO« " Obloride of magaarinm ~. ■ Wn. " dhlorideofa^ttm. ^« •1*88 Oxygen. - 0-19 Ostbonks add.... ....8'07 *^100 ctdbk iacihM smounti to sboat Bi pints. Sj^te«ji&<»>^~|»a»ai aj i a i ii<«M ifc3faW«ti a i* ,/»,-■,,, ffy, i, ,, i ri,nu„i,m i state, coQ- caMo Inchflt. m^KrVj, i w i , i f-i ! H ! W^ >i «fW".*? "'." ''■ ",. IJ iJ S CT flAUNB AND OAfiBOVS OOMTBRTS. 91 CHAPTEB VI. THE RELAirVB VIBTIJI8 OF THE SALINE AJS(D OASEOUS CONTENTS OF THE WHITE SULPHUB WATER. SraooiiATioy hM «cisted m to the relative effi-^ caoy of the di£ferent component parts of the White Sulphur water in the cure of disease, and while some have supposed that its gaseoiu contenU are essential to its sanatite virtues, others, ind I think the hest informed obsenrers, attribute its medicinal virtues mainly to its wdd or gaUne con* teniB. To the latter opinion the able Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Virginia, who hat carefitliy examined the water, and other distinguished diemists luid physicians, decidedly incline. It certainly is a question of interest to the vale- tudinarian, whether he should use this water fresh , asitflowtfrom the i^ring, aboondtng in all its stimtdatiiig g^j or whether he should use it after it has parM^mt en^JreZy parted with this gas. To ^is iubjeoi I have, for the last several yeaM, devoted partiottlar attention, having instituted^ with mm, various and.diversifled experimetitSi in - ■^ik I i 98 WBio euLBWm ensxw. order to establish something like definite and positive oonclttsions. Although the yalue of this water in what is usually termed its tum^imvlating/orm, or in other words, when deprived erf its gas, has long been known to many who are familiar with its use, it was ndt until the last fet^ years that it was com- monly ttsed from dioioe, after it had been long removed from the spring, or from any cause, had parted with its gaseous contents ; and an opinion, 4^e oorrectttjsss of which had never b^ ewMUined, pcevailed ilj the minds of many, that in losing its Kaa> it lost its strength and efficacy^ Having setUed at the "White," as the resident p%Bictaa eif the plafse, it became alike my duty •Od my interest to invbatigate the character and 4»pel!aitioM of its waters unddr ev»y possibto form ami modtficatiOB in which they could be presented. In the pttfsniiof this duty, I resolved to take no opinion upen" trust," but careftiUy to eattmine Maid investigate for myMlf. A prominent question immediately presented itself for inquiry, invcdving 4he relative mecito which the wKd and srowoiw wigredi(»t8 &£ Ihei water po8««M' as remedial ikgcMts. II would be tedi and, 4o many, unin- ^Mwtifif ^vtd^detaiUhe several steps and multiplied ^isperiMsate which led me to coBcluaites upon the imbJMt, satisfactdry to my own miud, and apon ^which I have established certain practical prin- jqibaa?Mi ihfl «ie fif 1ih« «t»t«ir, jrhl(^ iMv»«Babled ■\.sifiWB*aWi*n iifat'--t*-^ M BALOm AHD eiflSOIW GOiniNIB. 98 definite and )r in what is m, or in other las long been ith its use, it t it was com- ad been long ny cause, had id an opinion, ^ exMuined, kt in losing its M the resident ilike jny duty character and possible form I be presented, red to Uk» no ly to examine linent question liry, inycdiring d tivA gaseous i« as remedial omany, unin- and multiplied tsilms upon the i«d> and upon pi»MBtioal prin- lilM!r»«aabl«d me to prescribe it, especially for nerwma and excitable palierUSy with far greater sacoess than heretofore. It is sufficient for my purpose at present to state, that, while I freely admit that the gas, which abounds in the water, is an active nervine stimulant, and therefore may be a most potent agent in seme cases, we are, nevertheless, to look mainly to the solid contents of the water for its aUerative power, as well as for its activity manifested through the emunotories of the body. Whether the efficacy of the solid contents be owing to the specific character of any one^ oi: to all of the thirteen different saits of which it is com- posedj and which exist in the water in the most minute form of subdivision, fnd in this eoadytMk>n enter the circulation} And course through the whole system, applying themselves to the diseased tissues ; or, whether its efficacy to. some extent, depends upon the evaiuHon of sulphuretted hydro? gen gas, e^ier the water has readied^ ^osWuAf is a mai^r of curious inquiry. The distinguished ebemiat, Mr. Hayes, of BdNK- bury, after having bestowed much pains in ana- lyaing the water, and in studying its, peculiar character, comes to tiie following conclusions as to the source. of its me^cinal powejr. After dcwctibiag, at considerable length, i oertaincmatler which he found to abound in it, and which he terms **jf^ ganio maUer,' ' in the course of which he. sayj, ' it differs essentially from the organic matter of i» a w iwii i ipiirt aefc'»^ 1 i i J l-M' it, Ml J '. ■'■ ^wHij! mmmmftfit SAUKB AND OASBOVB OONTIRIS. 96 kosay: "In loderate tem- 3 acid, amd to Odder may be pidly attract from colored Ddpounds do ; f are probdtly futanee. The a its natural tanoes within ehenUoal rear r Aa« readied ponied by (he ikeflaoe."* kted the above ical exunioa- ach interested ve termed the iThite ^Iphur en reported to (o bottles after I both of taste ties were kept in., and then strong of tha to be, fresh at rlT. In a shipment of this water to Calcutta, some years since, the " Transporting Company " had the water bottled in Boston, from barrels that had been filled at the spring six months before. The water, although tastdesa and inodorous, when put into the bottles at Boston, was fbund, on its arrival at Calcutta, so strongly impregnated with the hydro-sulphuric acid as to render it necessary, under the direction of an intelligent gentleman of Boston, (who had witnessed this secondary formation of gas before,) to unoork the bottles for some time before using, that the excess q{ gas might escape. I had, also, known that in the |H-ooess of Oiaw^ ing sulphur water, that had been previously frozen, sulphuretted hydrogen gas is evolved ; for although the ice has neither the taste nor smell of sulphur, a strpng smell of sulphuretted hydro- gen is manifest as the ioe is returning to water. I had often observed that individuals who drank the water entirely etale and void alike of taste and amea, were n liable to have eructations of sul- phuretted hydrdgenas those who drank it fresh «t the fountain. These, and other facts connected - with the peculiar operatioia and effects of the water, when used in its < ^vseous form— op^- tions and effects which it is ;ot necessary here to refer to, but all going to prove the seoontkwy^ for-?- mation of gas under certain circumstances— had, in my investigations of this water, interested me i IC warn guLFHim spbings. exceedingly, afcd, ooneequently, I wm not a little pleated that Mr. Hayes's chemical examinations •o fully sustained the opinions I had heen led to entertain from my personal ohservation. This opinion of Mr. Hayes, in connection with the numerous proofs derived from analogy and ohsenration, of the teoondary formation of sul- phuretted hydrogen gas in the water, would seem to be oalculftted to harmonize the opinion advanced by me of the equal ^hsaoy of the water when deprived of its gas, with the sentiment entertained by soqie, that the hydrogen gas is essential to its sanative operationa r The phenomena of a geoondaiy formation of sul- phuretted hydrogen gas in mineral waters has not, that I am aware of, heen noticed before; it cer- tainly has not been 'in relation to the White Balphur, and we hop; Uiat medical gentlemen, genarally, who may have occasion to use such waters, will direct attention to this singular fact. For myself, I prdinise i^ill further to investigate the subject, and may, at some subsequent period, lay- the results of my investigations before the nedieal public. My investigations of the relative virtues of the gaseous and saline contents of this water, have satisfied me that the physician, in making up his judgment as to the best method of administering it in particular oases, may always properly moot Oie proprie^ «f Mifig it y^esfc as it flows from UMiiaiiiieMkttMiKii MWMUMiWMi>»t'>k»'.^^'-i^«U^ SAUNK AND QASEOUB CONTENTS. 9T M not a little examinations ad been led to ion. aneotion with analogy and lation of aul- r, would seem nion advanced » water when int entertained Buential to its rmefore ; it cer- to the White al gentlemen, I to use snoh I singular fact. ' to inrestigate B^neni period, m» hefore the virtues of the is water, have making up his administering properlj moot it flows Irom the spring, deprived of its gas, or with modified quantities. He should bear in mind that there are cases in which it is preferable that the water should be used stale and that, by depriving it in whde or in part of its gas, he can graduate that amount of stimulus to the system, which it may demand, and this, inmost cases, without lessening the actively operative or alterative effects of 'the water. For some patients, the White Sulphur, as it flows from the spring, is toos^tmu^o/injir, and hence, before the non-stimulating method of using, it wa& introduced, many such patients left the spring, either without giving the water a trial, or actually rendered worse by its stimulating influence. This class of persons can now use the water when de- • privedof its gas, not only with impunity, but often with the happieat results. Numerous cures, effected by its use in the last ten or fifteen years, have been in that class of patients by whom the water, fresh at the Spring, could not have been used without injury. The cases of Mr. Morton, of Mississippi, and J. L. Jernagan, Esq., repeated at large in a pamphlet published in 1841, are pertinent examples of such oases. In cases of nervous persons, and especially in those whose brain is prone to undue excitement, I have often, found it necessary, either by freezing or heating the water, to throw off its gas com- pletely, before it could be tolerated by the system ; w mmm mmm 98 WBITI SCiraiTR SPRINGS. and fome of the happiest results I haro eror witnessed from the use of the water hare been aohioved by it after being thus prepared. The oases of Mrs. H., of Georgia, and of Mr. B., of Massachusetts,* the one afflicted with disease of the stomach and chest, the other with chronic inflammation of the brain, are instances, among scores of others that might be referred to. But this is not all. With the yiew of guarding effectually against errors that might arise from a defect in my own obserTations, I procured the assistance of several physicians, and other intel- ligent gentlemen, all of whom were familiar with the operations and effects of the water when drunk fresh at the spring, 'and who, with the view of testing the facts I have Mentioned, used it them- selves, and gave it to others, after it had been long removed from. the spring, and with the same results that they had previously experienced in their own persons, or witnessed in others, from like q^uan- tities of the freah water abounding in its gas. My o^eot in priescribing White Sulphur has been to pursue a discriminating or path)U)gical practice. I regard it as an active and potent medicine, And believe that^ like all such lAedicines, it"^ should be used with a wise reference to the nature of the case, and the state of the system. I muBt noi be understood a» advancing tJu opinion, *Beported at luge in » pamphlet pabliabed in 1841. MWiMiiltiHNl MM I hftTo ovor er hare been fepared. The of Mr, B., of ith disease of with chronic Ances, among rred to. Bnt of guarding t arise from a procured the 1 other intel- familiar with ir when drunk h the view of used it them- had been long e same results I in their own m like quan- n its gas. Sulphur has tT pathdlbgtcal B and potent ich lAedicines, :erence to the f llie system. ig the opinion, bed in 1841. •mm i i mMim i mm!»i'i)m.f,. ':'vm0 SAUNA AND OABBOUS CONTENTS. 99 thtd this wcUer i$ always to be preferred after the escape of its gas. I entertain no such opinion ; on the contrary, for a large class of visitors, I think it preferable that they should avail them- selves of the use of the water either at, or recently removed from the fountain, and as it naturally abounds in its gases. There are other cases in which the exciting influence of^the gas can only ..bo borne in a mare limited degree, and, for such, I permit its partial escape before using it, while in a numerous class of cases, (and especially on first commencing the use of the water,) I esteem it indispensable to its quick and beneficial operation, that its unoombinedgas, which gives taste and smdl, should have escaped. In recommending the White Sulphur, then, to the use of Jhe invalid,! esteem it quite as necessary to investigate the manner of using, as relates to its fresh or stale quality, as it is in reftrence to its dose, or the times of administering it ; and for neither would I lay down positive and absolute rules in advance ; for each case must, in the nature of things, give rules for its own government.'*' * tt ia now more than twenty-five years since the author first eased pobUc attentkn to the in^witance, indeed, the atwolute neeiMfdty, in many cases, (rf the invalid's using this water in its uttffimimt or ItaH stimulating form. Like all fanovations upon old tqrinions and cuBt(«M„ it met with its hasty ot^twtoni <^ <>'>*• ^ o^^*"^ experience was not long in estalAshing the soundness and value of the leoom- 100 WHITB SUIPHUB OPRIKOS. The great value of this water, as a therapeutical agent, to a large class of persons who visit the fountain, is a fact alike unquestioned and unques- tionahle. That in its natural condition, as it flows from the bosom of the earth, it is happily adapted to numerous cases of disease, is a truth established by upwards of sixty years' experience, as well as fully sustained by the numerous cures that are constantly occurring. The great value of the water, then, fresh as it flows from the spring, and abounding in its .gas, is a truth, so far as I know, that is unaaaaUed, and which, I believe, is wuu- aaSaile. Nevertheless, that there are many cases in whioli the gas is not beneficial, in h established !e, as well as ires that are ralue of the B spring, and ir as I know, ieve, is utuu- e many cases the amount in a fact which with tfaeut- i such cases, than with it, do not teach reference to ihout its gas. I narrow and value, of the IS. to kaowtlut it Ikuit priitelple ia ■HMtboieAiially, t referance to its te tUmtiiatifig tit I, then, regard the tdid contents of the White Sulphur water, either in its direct or indirect in- fluences, as the main agency in its medicinal efficacy. Whether the efficacy of the salts of the water be owing to their absorption into the system as such, or whether it depends upon the secondary formMtion of hydro'sulphuric acid gas in the stomach, or whether it ought to be ascribed to the combination of these different agencies, I leave for others more fond of speculation to decide. I have, heretofore, been satisfled with the knowledge of the efficacy of the solid contents, without much theo- rizing to explain the why and wherefore. But, it may be asked, if the gas does good in the state of a secondary formation in the stomach, would not a larger qpantity, taken with the fresh water, do more good ? I reply, that this by no means follows in that class of cases for which I specially -dvise the ungaseous water ; for my only objection to the fresh water, in such cases, is, that it has too much gas. Admitting that the gas may exert an influence, I allege that in nervous and excitable <»8es the quantity is not only better adapted to the system, but that any given quantity, under a secondary formaiion, excites the system less, from its gradual formation in the stomach, than if suddenly received in volupie into that viscus. Kor do I, because I recommend the ungaseous water in partictika' cases, repudiate and disallow 102 vmra sucpbur sPRiNaB. all medicinal aj^enoy of the gas, as a general principle ? Not at all. I simply contend that, for the trtkUment of certain ocuea, there i» more <^ the etimukUinggcu in the fresh water than such cases can bear with advantage, and that its excessive ^citation in sach oases wonld be prejndioial instead of beneficial. ■ But do I find it necessary to guard the amount of gas for every water .drinker? or in effect to erect a bed of ProcrtMfes, and oblige every one to conform to its length ? By no means. A. arrives at the spHngs, not much debilitated by disease, and with a firm, nervous, and muscular system ; there is no excessive excitability in his* case, and neither his cerebral, njsrvous, nor vascular system is particularly prone to be- afeoted by stimulants or ejtoiting medicines. I advise him to use the water tu it flows fimm the .fiHiniain, and if he should, contrary to expectation, find thatitstimu-' lates him unpleasantly, to set it by for a short time before using. B. calls ibr advice as to the manner of using the watel- ; his ^emperainen^, and the state of his cerebral, nervous, and vascular system is the . opposite of A.'s *, his physical energies have been prostrated by disease ; his nerves are unatrunff, and, like his bmin, prone to be painfully al^ted by stimulants or exciting medicines. He is advised to use the water after it faa«, either patikM^ oar en^vi^jr, parted with its gaa; thtttis, niiiiiiiiii i rtii i iBna i iBlilwiiiiMiai BALINX ASh QABMOm OOJSIVBIITS. 103 « a general ontend that, i» more (^ the Q such cases its excessive 3 prejudicial the amount in effect) to every one to . ii. arrives I by disease, alar system ; liis* case, and leular system y stimulants 1 to use the V, and if he that it stimu*^ r for a short ^of using the state of his ^stem is the es have been vte unaktmff, Ebtly al^ted net. He is t has, either gaa; tha^ifl, after it has been set by for twdve or eighteen Itourt, as the delicacy and excitability of his system demand. In cases of inflammation of the parenchyma of the brain, and in other highly excitable conditions of th« cerebral or nervous system, I have the water more carefully prepared, either by heating or freesing it. I have a case at this time under treatment, in the person of Mrs. F.y in which thbre is such an extreme susceptibility of the braioit that absolute derangement, for several hours, was the consequence, in several instances, of taking two glasses of the water fresh from the spring ; although -she bears with impunity, and is improving rapidly, under prepared water. In graduating the, amount of stimulus, or, if tbB gaseous tiraorist please, the amount of medical material to the wante of the system— in other words, varyiingihe preeaiption to tuit the oa«e-«am I departing fi^m a scientific and approved system of practice? What would be thought of the science of a medical man, who invariably used either the same medicine, or the same dose of any medioinoj without regard to the peculiarities or constitution of his patients ? Just what ought to be thought of mOf or any one, who would direct sopotontanageatas White Sulphur water to be used alike in every variety of constitution and disease. ▲ popular error, in r^tiea to miaenl watmn^^ i 104 wHm smurauK spbincmi. is that they exert a sort of mysterious influence on the system ; and that, as nature has elaborated them in the bowels of the earth, they are, there- fore, formed in the best possible manner for the cure of disease. This opinion is not more reasonable than it would be to suppose that nature has formed antimony in the best possible form, for the cure of disease-, although we know that in this form, under the administration of the cele- brated Basil Valentine, it slew all the monks in his cloister. ' Like all other remedial agents, potent mineral waters produce certain effects npon the animal economy, and these ^ects will be beneficial or injurious, as the remedy is properly or improperly employed. For instance, C., who is nervous, delicate, and excitable, and is affSscted with. ftt&cUoD4l derangement of the organs, requires to ceOMve, lor a certain time, the^ infinence of a mineral water, which, while it acts as an aperient upon his bowels, enters his circulation, oomrses through his system^ and aJteroles his dersnigcd organs ; being, at the s^ne time, so Uand and irastimolating in its general eff^, as not to MSKMft any ono, or a series of organs into undue («cit«D»ent aud rebellion against the common good; Such a remedy is found in the eteUe and ^iiSHiseotts White Sulfur water. D. requires the very same effects to be exerted upon his diseased organs,— -but ho is of very ■MMiiiiMiii imm»itft0immitt 1 ilBiMilH I influence on >• elaborated Y are, there- nner for the I not more B that nature ble form, for now that in of the cele- i monks in fais tent mineral 1 the animal beneficial or r improperly is nervous, ffSscted with . B, requires to fiuence of a B an aperient tion, eo^ses liis deranged lo Uand and kf as not to I into undue the common he tkUe and > be- exerted is of yery irr i if i i ii i i i m i ftiii- i uijiiii i i bAURl AHD OASaOTO OONTmnS. different temperament and constitution. His brain and nerves are prone to no unnatural excite- ment, and he is unaffected with the thousand physical sensibilities to which C. is subject. D. may take the White Sulphur water with impunity and advantage, In any manner most agreeable to him. In his case its exciting gas constitutes no objection to its use. The good effects of the water, so differently used by G. and D., will be the same, because the clifferenoe in their oases makes the d^erence in the use of the remedy. ilBi 106 WHUS nnuPHVB SPinrcNS. 'r I t CHAPTEB TIT. OENBRAL DIRBOnONB FOR THE USB OP THE WHITS 8ULPH13R WATER' JUnOifm meant to 6« OMtral, not Spee^k^^^ not OeMraay to<*toeuSmMh()pernsi which such ntion rather to >rdinarily must n, than tp lay ■ifiwir fe^ i«tei8M»!Matt^ onnnAL mBacnoira. 107 down definite directions which shall apply to all cases. Every one who is &niiliar with the Tarions types of disease, and with the pecnliarities and radical difference in diffbrent constitutions and temperaments, modifying and influencing dis- eased action, will at once he satisfied of the impossibility of laying «down any absolute rule, for the use of a potent mineral water, that should he strictly adhered to in all oases. Each case, to a certain extent, must, with this, as with all other medicinal agents, indicate the proper dose, and the proper manner of administration. As has heen already remarked, it is very omi- mon to attribute the beneficial effects of mineral waters to their immediate tenuihU and olfvwui effects Upon the human b6dy. I have shown this opinion to beerroneons-^hat, so fitrfrom it being true that such waters uni£»rmly manifest their beneficial effisots by their active opetatiomt >vch operations frequently delay, or entirely prevent, the good which they otherwise would have aooomr plished through the medium of their aUemiive effects. Th(Me who desire'to obtain the aUerc^ve opera- tions of the water, must, as a gmaral ruU, take it in small t^uantities, and continue its use for such length of time as will be suffixnent, in commOtt ' spriiig parlance, to "saturate the system/' Pa- tients ikiVB using the water are apt, however, to 108 wHin suirauB spBoras. become restlesi and diasatiBfied for the first few days; so much so, that it is often difficult to reconcile them to this manner of administration ; because, say they, "it is doing me no good;" they wish to see such tokens of activity as are given by prompt and vigorous purgation. In a general way, it is preferable that the water act sufficiently on the bowels, eyen when given in reference to its aU«reUive ^eott, to obviate th6 necessity of giving any other medicine for that purpose ; but it is often better to- use some mild purgative from the shops, to effect this object for the first few days, than that the quantity of water should be greaUy increased. Comparatively but ,few strangers, who visit the White Sulphur, are aware ef the potency of its watdrs, and, under the fiilse impression that no harm will arise from any quantity the stomach will bear, man;|^ are induced to use them in quan- tities that not only defeat their sanative effects, but do much positive injury. I have just remarked that it is often difficult to recot^le patients to the use of smi^l and inop- erative quantities of this water. Many such iniptances come under my observatibn, and Bi iBiaiiiiMim^iMMii'im^ ^ omnRAL DiRBonoira. Ill enervated by is much on- equal si^fety. dinate disten- )UB, while the re> flrom large rown into the nrions. UB8 of yisitors, lite extreme; ce themselveB or the use of snly, by some leyer himself I effects ; and ua medidnaits lies altogether effect. ATER, ETC. ; ater is in the le stomach is wt active. It B an hour or ing to bed at whole that is rided into two >rning before breakfast, and a short time before dinner ; or in the morning, and a short time before going to bed at night. Advantage is very seldom seoared from the water being taken before supper, and often it is prejudicial from its proneness to ran off-by the kidneys. Observation leads me to believe that, as a general rule, the water taken before breaJ^cutf and before going to bed at night, is most serviceable to a majority of invalids ; though there are some who cannot very well bear it at night, and attention should always be paid to this circumstance. It should not be used immediately before or after a meal ; nor should glass after glass ordi- narily be taken in rapid awxeasion. By this repre- hensible practice the stomach -is overtasked, and, immediately, unpleasant consequences result, such as eructations, giddiness, unpleasant excitation, and a painful sense of fullness, and sometimes a perma- nent injury of the stomach with atonic dysptpsia. Such a course also disposes the water to run off hastily by Che kidneys— an operation for which it has naturally a strong tendency, and which often embarrasses in its administration. LKNQTH OF TIME TO USE THE WATER The length of time the invalid should continue the use of the water, depends entirely upon the 112 WHITB 8ULPBUH BPBIR08. natwre of the cate — the manner in which it has been used, and the ausotptibilitiet of the tysiem. Moft erroneous notions exist in a largo portion of the pnblio mind upon this subject. Many believe that it will exert all its good influences, or, as they say, will <* saturate the system," in eight or ten days ; others allow it two, three, and four weeks> to effect the same object. Now, the truth is that the time in which the ultimate good effects of the water are accomplished, always depends, as before remarked, upon circumstances — upon the nature of the case, the manner in which U hae been used, and upon the nucqttibUities qfthe $ffetem. Some persons will be thrown as fully under its influence ip two weeks as others will be in four; and yet it may be equally well adapted to each case. In every case of its admin- istoation, respect should rather be had to the ^eete it is producing than to the time it has been used. It never cures diseases until it has first produced certain ^eote upon the animal economy, — ^Bnraois which can always be distiirguished by t)ie practiced observer during the progress of their operation, with the same certainty with which we can distinguish the effects under the alterative operation of mercury. It often happens that persons, to whose cases the water is well adapted, use it assiduously for three or four weeks, without deriving a particle of permanent benefit ; and all in oonseqnmice of so MMMliilMMIiiW which it has of the wyatem. largo portion )ject. Many >d influences, I system," in ro, three, and it. Now, the ultimate good ished, always circamstances WMT in which iibUitiM <^ the >own as fully « others will equally well of its admin- ) had to the ne it has heen il it has first mal economy, iffguished hy )gre8s of their rith which we the alteratiye whose cases Bsiduously for g a particle of eqnence of so m mmmmmammm mi OmRAL DIRKmOKS. 118 imi-f o[)erly using it, both in time and quantity^ as to force it out of the system by the emunctories, without " touching the case," — without being permitted to tarry long enough to produce any of those aalutary ^ec<« which must precede a cure. It cannot, therefore, be too earnestly urged upon those who are using the water for any obitinate di$e(ue, to have their attention fixed upon the ^eds which it is producing, or has produced, rather than upon a given number of days, in which they may have been taught to believe their systems would become changed or " saturated." Dr. Armstrong found that from aise to twdve weeks were often required for Harrowgate and Dinsdale waters to produce their full curative effects ; and I occasionally see similar time re- quired for the development of the full efTects of this water. In some cases, however, where the system was previously well prepared, and the subsequent management judicious, the White Sulphur will produce its aUwative operations in about two weeks. Such cases, however, are rare, and itwiU generally be found that from three to six weeks, or even longer, must elapse under its use, before those "profound changee" are wrought which precede and insure a return to health. Thesp remarks, as far as they relate to time, arc applicable to all our mineral waters .that cure disease in virtue of their cdterative action *, for, if 10* 114 WHITE SDLPHUB SPBINGS. they be true as to the Harrowgate;* on© of the strongest sulphur waters in the world, and of the WkU9 Sulphury scarcely, if at all, inferior in strength to that celebrated European spring, they ♦Tlie SRmvwgata and TTWto SiOphwr vxUen differ very materially. Tlw author Tisited and q>ent some time at Har- rowgate in 1881, and expraaaes tlie opinion, as the reaolt of Us penonal obeerrations md inquiries at the springs, that the Hantmgate Sulphor watera, whUe they are stronger than the White Sulphor hi sraoe of the $alt» ooinmon to both, are nerer- thelesB iniMor to the lattw in attenUte potouy and efficacy. There are no le«Bl;han/ " loies ^ Snip, hydrogen gas...... IS-MjOIib. %^ OuboDicadagas. %'Wl^ "■ Ciibaretted hydrogm gas (mI ASOHG JJMk»t***aaasM«*M*flsa»a»**tae««»**»»M 0*8s 84-00 li.i i i iii iA: lii i irirtifiirffrr'"''-'^''"'"'^' ■■"■'*'^^-*^^--^'"'»^"^»^-*'' '■■----■' :ii-ami.:. wm one of tlie , and of the inferior in pring, they r$ differ veiy time at Har- 3 reanlt of liit Ings, that the >i>ger than tlie Mil, are nerer- id efficacy. t Harrowgate, connt of their Bgnatied with klybeates; one red as aimp]^ I deatitate of a of waters at fUing; of tlifi (emperatnie of to oontatn in >graiiia. ^.! m^mi i iimnmtM OBNKBAL DIBBCnONS. 115 cannot be less true of waters of the same class, but inferior in point of strength. When sulphurous waters are prescribed, their operations should be narrowly watched, and if they produce untoward and unpleasant symptoms/ such as Aeadache, gcutrio diatreaa, furred tongvet quick and irritcMe ptdw, toUh eoative bowds and loss of appetite, they should be temporarily or permanently discontinued, as circumstances may demand. The temporary discontinuance of the water, under the circumstances just supposed, and the use of a brisk cathartic, or the lancet, if the stat-e of the blood-vessels demand it, will generally enable us to return to its use in a day or two with safety and success. PREPARATION FOR THB USE OF THE WATER. Some preparation of the system, preceding the use of the water, is often, though not always, necQvsary for its safe and advantageous adminis* tration. Most persons, after the excitement usual to the travel in visiting the springs, will be profited by taking some gentle purgative, and by the use of ^ght and, cooling diet for a day or two before%y» water is freely used. Thole in feeble healt^|tould commence the water with caution, and genrai^y in its kati tiimidating fonh, that is, after it has remained in an open vessel* until its gas has escaped. If, with these preoau- 116 WHITB SULPHUR SPBINOS. tions, it fail to exert its. desired effoctg, or produce unpleasant symptoms, the. medical adviser, to wliom it would be necessary to resort in such an emergency, would, of course, prescribe according to circutnstances ; nor can any geney^rule be given as respects the treatment thaV'would be necessary in such' a case, — ope patient often requiring treatment essentially different irom another. # * Invalids, however, ought not to despair of the use of the water, and of its adaptation to their eases, simply beciaase it may, at first, or even in the progress of its use, display some vagrant and improper action upon the system* Errw« in its cuition, if they may so be termed f generally arise from errors in Ue( use, and may generally be prevented by a change in the method of adminis- tration, or by some medical adjuvants, so that the water may be safely continued. SSN^m^E EFFECTS OF THE WATER ON TQE 9TSTEM. The setuiHe medicinal ^eets of the water are prominently displayed in its action upon the boufelSfUverj Udneys and «Ki», an4^hen drunk fresh at the fountain, by a In^^Kmnvikmt effect iipon the system in general^K^^^oii the hrain in particular. y;^^^ ^to^t quan^ties Jta^lria tb^e morning before IMi ■MMii Hii mmmm SI OS. !ect8, or produce cai adviser, to iort in such an loribe according genei^rnle be thaV'would be I patient often different irom despair of t^e station to their irst, or even in ' ne vagrant and u Errwra in its generaUy arise f generally be lod of adminis- mts, 80 tbat the lTEB on TQB f the water are tion upon the ^0rhen drunk ^mnulaiHt effect poll the brain, in worning before OBmEKAL DIBBOTIONS. m .breakfast, will often exert some oathartio effect in the course of the day. The liver is, in most instances, brought under its influence, from a few ^ys perseverance in the use of it, t» will be manifest from the character of the excretions. Its action upon the kidneys is readily induced, and we occasionally see it exerting, at the same time, both a tiiAtic and cathartic operation. Very isommonly the exhalent vessels of the skin are stimulated to increased peroration; but its full effects upon the surface, manifested not only by increased, but aidphvroM» perepiraHonf do not occur Until it has been freely used for several weeks, nor until the secretory system generally has been brought under its influence. In r«ferenoe to its cathartic effects, I remark, that while as a general rule it gently opens the bowels, and in some cases purges freely, we meet with aeeasioBal cases in which its effects are distinctly oonster^tive from the fint. In other cases I have known it to purge gently for the flrst few day's and afterwards to produee constipation. As the system is brought under the influ(|nce of the water, the appetite and the ability to digest food are M|^ly augmented. The spirits become buoyant -alMhewftil, with increased desire for social oompw^^iJM amuwments. Exercise, prei^hnly irksome, is now ei^eyed without &tigue, ai\d Id great is the change in the whole man, that ^e patioiiit often expresses his 118 whub sulphpb emsos. tt. appreciation of it by declaring that he is "anew man,"— and 8o he is, in reference to his physical and social feelings. VBTBX3TB ON THE PULSE. The effect of the water upon the ptUse ought to he distinctly noted, inasmuch as itsflusilon upon the ciroulaiory system affords one of the bes^ indications of its adaptation, or inadaptation, to the i»se. Am a general rnle it will be fonnd that, after the water has been properly used for a sufficient time to enter the circulation, by those to whose cases it is well adapted, and the frequency of. whose pulse is much above the natural standard, the pulse 'will be reduced in frequency and in force. This reduction of the pulse is not the Wa- s^venoe of any dira^ Mdative action of the water his physical f»d$e ought to BflMsllon upon 9 of the hes| adaptation, to iiid that, after for a sufficient hose to whose frequency of. iral standard, uency and in is not the em- n of the water the sanatiye ing influences specially from ar secretions, ring offensive f mgMM and lienthMrassed Buidi through - lymph as the proper admin- istration of the water, in cases to which it is well suited, is an essential modification of the circula- tion hoth in frequency and force; so much so, indeed, that I am never surprised to, find the pulse, whose heat has heeli from 90 to 120 in the minute, reduced to 76 or 80, and, in many cases, quite down to the natural standard of the indi- vidual, whatever that may have heen ; while the volume of blood in the artery is increased, as well as the softness and mildntss of its flow. Experience has so clearly taught me to rely upon the reduction of the frequency and force of the pulse, as indicative of the value of the water to the ' patient, that I habitually look to such effects as among the most distinct indications to 'persevere in its use. On the contrary, if the effects of the water be to increase the number of pulsations, or, in any considerable degree, to render the circulation more irritable, my inferences are unfavorable t9 its use; and if this state of things cannot be readily changed by a different administration of the water, iti discontinuance is advised, for «f never jprova ben0eial when it peneiveHngly exdtef the frequenoff rined and dis rO THE MISDI- lTer, etc. illiutrat« the flnenoes of the le best manner > been alluded ; nevertheless, letition,) it is >r one general r the reader. ive positions of d long experi-* n the light of idantf and gen- i fresh at the effects of the sffects, and are , give to it its purgative, or is correspond- les, the invalid iven'the water li iii i itti i iii i itiM'''^ |' assiRAL DXBsonora. 131 a fair trial, or that he has obtained its full cura- tive effects, until he has experienced its general alterative ii^ueitoes, and maintained them upon the system for some time, Auithia eiUirtiff irretpeo- Uvt of Um time he may hhve used the water. 5. As it is uniformly true that the water is seldom permanently serviceable, when it acts as an irritant upon tmj portion of the body, it follows that its use should not be persevered in when, fbr any considerable time, it continues thus to act. It may, however, almost invariably be made to act kindly and soothingly, by a modification of the mi^nner of using it, or by such gentle medi- cinal appliances as the peculiarity of Ihe case may deinand. 6. From an improper use of the water, or ftma failure ta use a timeous dose of medicine, to bnug the system into a proper condition to receive it, it occasionally diwgrees with persons (to whose con- , stitution and case it is well fulapted,) until the errors, whatever they may be, have been «>r- rected. t. An active and long-continued diwretio iffext is generally useless, and frequently hurtfi[l, and hence, when in much excess, should be arrested. This may be effected v^% 9ne utmoet ixrtainiy by a modification in the qiuanti*sf, or periode of uamg the water, and by genUe medical means that divert from the kichteye cmd determine to the liver and akin. $. As to the amount of water to be used in the 11 122 WBITB SUIf HUB SPKHTCW. oonrse of the day, or as to the number of days it should be uied; it is impossible to lay down a definiU rule to apply in all catet. So much depends upon the nature of the case, and the peculiarities of the constitution of the patient, that no Jixed ruh in these^partidulars can be laid down as appli- cable to all cases, and an attempt to do so would be an act of empiricism more apt to mislead than to edify. USE OF BATHS. A most valuable aid in the use of this water is the wn aa appli- do 80 would miilead than ibis water is ii. I cannot or the nse of may be made role of cases, iloyed. Omg of any itire in its h good when ag evil when ral waters, it operly, and, Id have been tally revolu- egative, but I upon the lif^tesf with itenciug, and okhhul DnutL 128 the temperature of the bath. In most cases, the (a^Atft^ jpo»n< is as dearly indicated under a course of sulphur waters as the blistering or bleeding point is in inflammations, and the ralue of the remedy is much dependent upon such timely employment. When the watex* has well opened the bewels, — ^has found its way into the general circulation, softening the skin and calming the irritation of the arterial system, the «trfjp&«r haih» may be used with great confidence in their efficacy. Eat btUhs should never be taken during the existence of febrile excitement. They should be used on an empty stomach, and, as a general rule, before the decline of the day, and their tempera- ture always carefully regulated to suit the nature of the case and the state of the system. m !Mmm» »« ' ,v«!r ' 124 WHXni SUIffBUR fPRINM. . CHAPTER VIII. DIKBABES m WHICH THE WHITB SULPHUR MAT, OR MAT NOT, BE USEFULLY PRESORIHED. ChnMt IMlaifm ^ tiU AnoA— GMMMN<»-m»— IMmow of tf« ITfiiMry 'OiyM*— CArmfc If^^lMtNMMm » Splm^ -POf—Dimmttf €f Ike Kkhun*— nnmorrh m , Ohh- « Aw <» iSsXi^nw oimI emarlrad, are M, and conse- ment of acate, l?his remaflE is kite Sttlpbur, lO ppring, and \% is true, as iting gas has tingi-ahdmay lies to wliioli, DioAfln — ^DmonoKB. Si in its perfectly fresh state, it would' he totally unadapted. Bat even in its least stimulating form, it is inadmissihle for excited or fehrile conditions of the system ; and especially to cases of inflammatory action— at least, until the violence of such action has heen suhdned hy other and appropriate agents. Various diseases of the stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, and hladder, as well as some derange- ments of the brain and nervous system generally, are treated successfully by this agent. To the various affections of the skin, unattended with active inflammation > to chronic affections of the bowels, and to gout and rheumatism, it is well adapted. In hsBmorrhoids ; in some of the chronic affections of the womb ; in chlorosis and other kindred female disordors ; in mercurial se^tida, and especially in the secondary forms of lues, and iU'Oonditioned ulcers in depraved 96n- stittttions, it constitutes the most valuable remedy to which the invalid can resort. If the individual, about to submit himself to the use of this water, is suffering from fiiUness and tension about the head, or pain with a sense of tightness in the chest or side, he should obtain relief f^om these symtoms before entering ,|ip<»i it3 use. If his tongue be white or heavily coated, or if he be continuously or periodically fev«>rish, or have that peculiar lassitude, with gastric distress, manifesting recent or acute biliiry IM wHXfi sOLrauK anasu. MonmulatiooR, he should avoid its use until, b proJMr medical treatment, his biliary organs are emnlged, and his system prepared for its reception. Much suffering, on the one hand, would be aroided, and a fisr larger amdunt of good, on the other, would be aohiered, if yisitors «were perfectly aware of, and carefully mindful o'f these Ihote. It is an every-day ocourrenoe during the water-, ing season at the " White/' for persons to seek medical adrioe^ for the first time,«ftcr they have been using the water for daysi periiaps for weeks, and it is then sought because of vagrant opera- tions, or injurious effects of the water. In most such oases there will be, found, upon examination, 9Uh$t the existence of some of the symptoms just mentioiied, or evidences of lootU ii^lammation in come part of the body, sufficient to j^event the eottstittttional efficacy of the remedy. I am often atruck with the control which an apparently Snoonsidenble local inflammation will exert, in preventing the constitutional effects of mineral waters. To - remove such looil determinatimis whrnre they exist, or- greatly to lessen .their aeHvtty, is all-imi)ortant to secure tbe constitu- tional effects of sulphur water. It is neoeMary to refleist that minetal waters, like all medicinal substances, are adaptCNl only to certain diseases, and that the more powerfully they ' aot, the greater mischief th^ are capable of doing iiiii i iiw i i i l^ig-iifiiM^ygj i ^ li iiiii i flW MPM DmAUS— i>iUonoH8. use nntil, by y organi are its reception, d, would be good, on the rieitori «were idful of these »g the water-, rsons to leek «r they have ,pi for weeks, (grant opera- »r. In most examination, jrmptomt just fkunmation in 3 ]»eyent the r. 1 am often n apparently will exert, in to of mineral leterminations lessen .their the constitn- netal waters, bpte^ only to Dwerfallythey pable of doing Pn^'jf^f^feiif'w i iw i * " " ' if improperly administered ; /or, if it be aaaertifd that they ore oopoMe qf doing good only, without the power of doing Aetrm, we may he eaiitfied that their qualitiea are too ineig^/ioant to merit notice. This consideration indicates the necessity of some caution in the we of waters which posses* any sanative powers, and suggests the propriety in all doubtful cases, of consulting some pro- fessional man familiar with the subject, whose judgment may determine how far the water is applicable to each individual case, and in what manner it should be employed to be most effica- cious. A long list of successful cases that have fallen under my care, adapted to illustrate the beneficial effects of these waters, in some of the more general and important maladies, might perhaps, without impropriety, bo inserted here ; but I am induced to omit the insertion, because I am aware with what suspicion medical cases, however well authenticated, are received from an individual, when they are given to favor any partieulw practice, or to recommend any particular -water. Besides, the insertion of names is objectionable' in all private practice, and I consider the reputation of this particular water to be now too well Mtablished to require such assistance. But, anxious to obviate all possibility of mistake, and to prevent the reputation of a remedy so w«ll- deserving public confidence from being i a i *wfei4 i .f near thirty lome meaaur^ ue, ooiuisting rgans (tf diges- Qg maintained , espeoiajlly in riablj find the quality of de- »n important, ming feature narily succeed 7 fttnctions of i and healthy ' in dfftpf^ttm, ▼Ciaetiontipon y Itinctioiis of ! healthy hilOj er, atid ahnost ig use-. ' 'ttm •?"W??HP!?1 DiBBASBi— DntBcnoira. 129 That the water benefits the stomach, in many cases, by a primary action,— first, as an alkali and stimulant, neutralizing its acidity, and imparting directly a tone and energy to the t?t«jti»— and, secondly, by a positive influence on its glandular structure, occasioning a healthy flow of gastric juice, I do not doubt. Still, the most decided and permanent beneflts derived by dyspeptics have always seemed to me to be the result of/«2Z (xUeror Hvt imprearioM upon the liver. Certain it is, that without such an influence upon that organ, ihe dyepqftio can never be caiifident cf the permaneney ^ hia rdie/. It would be well for sufferers under this distressing malady to bear this in mind, and not abandon the use of the water, as many do, until it hat fully impressed the liver ; nor be discouraged at its apparent waAt of efficacy, until it has been used sufficiently long to efl^ this object. • In the course of my observations, I have often alluded to the alterative tgtdUt of sulphur water y^i^iiiev A 79^ m^ DISBA8BB-— IHBBOnOHB. 131 maaent euro; laneat aanalive •tients not un- for a xtei^ or 10 stomaeh has ued, and that before them." »i, and if their 8 comfortable t it will BiflMi I alkaline and on the eoat» of ras tone to the ill probability era of diet and long, develop iras ''scotehed, I nrgei me to (le cannot too th« flAMfitial I inflntsitees of •yctem, be&re mi gd^ fedm of bowdila are of the warm d f>ayiiM^9^ fomof diseiMe oecasionaUy met with i^t our watering plaeeS) and is an aflbolian often of diffim^t and giypp m wBm soirauB SFSiircis. miewtoiii inftnagem«nt, whatdver Ibe the remedies en^tloyed. When it is purely fanotional and dta- Gtmneciedwith organic lesion, the White Sulphur, adtnittistered in moderate quandties, and in its least stimidattng form, is a safe, and sometimes an efficacious remedy. I usually prefer, however, to oontinne its use, at first, no longer than may be necessary to bring the bowels and the secretory action of the lirer under its influence, and then give the imtient the advantage of the tonic iu- flnence of the waters of the Svowt^ or Bed Sweety and their eAcMijM%M baths. Advantage is often derived by alternating during the season between the latter springs and the White, or some other sidphur water. Fraosm, or Watet'Bfa&kf U anol&er form of ■tdmieh dissMe, in which tiiis uniter is oocaeioually used, and sometimes with very good effeets. lil^akMid, it is rarely used in wateiMbpaali^tlthdut iRlKlfti In thii form of disease, 4he 1«n^ •hoiild iitevtr be tslceti in large and (fj^uorepeated Oughts ; from such a ooi»se increased debility of Mm ilotiuM)hi vrith «ther deleterious oonse- quendii, wdttid rarely fiktl to fellow. . When good reasons exist for eupposiug the stomach to be so&trrotw or oaaoerotM^ the /NKtenif lAiMdcl ooTQ^y was ■rsssrr HfmWWPH ^^^^? m OISBASBS-HDIBBCRnONS. 183 received from their use, some from the Alnm water, others from, this* It is scarcely necessary to say to the intelligent reader, that dyspepsia is rarely cured, whatever be the remedies used, without a careful attention to diet. By care in diet, I by no means wish to be understood, that the patient is to confine himself to t\i« stereotyped recipe of " black tea and toast," and other light 8lops-~the tendency of which is rather to enervate than invigonte the stomach — ^^or that, in his mind's ey;e, he is ever to be weighing or measuring the quantity of food he is to consume at each meal. It hae rarely been my good fortune to see any one cured of confirmed dyspepsia, who had been long kept on the misor- ably attenuated, debilitating slops, so often recommended for sueh ; and especially onO) who weighs, if not his appetite, at least his aptitude to eat by avoirdupois. The &8tidious particulari^, mmnd^m oftoifi, in such cases, that is often wit- nessed, serves admirably to impress upon a mind, disposed) from the nature of the case, to be dis- tempered, the appalling truth that mDrtal disease is ever threatening; to ii^uce low spifiia ^d despondency, find to superadd new horrors to a disease of iteelf sufficiently horrible. The diet in dyspepsia should always be appro- priate to the waq^ and abiUty of ^e Bto||iA<^. In a m^ority of feases, the dyspeptic will more reftdilydigeatth9lightorJ«eats than the vegetable n as ^m '^^.gS^' ^fT ! 134 WHm mUPUVK 0PBUICK. matter, upon irhioh thej generally feed ; and in 8tioh,oa8e8 there is nothing more proper than light meats. Fresli eggs, properly prepared, may always be taken. Ooarse rye bread is often the best diet of the kind. When wheat bread is used, it should always bo well lightened and stale. Bi'ead of corn, popular as a diet in Virginia, is found to agree admirably with some dyspeptics. If ilk, as a general rule is not only harmless, but useful. Vegetables, whether dressed or un- dressed, in their simple state, or manufactured into pies, tarts, sweet-meats^ etc., etc., must be repudiated. The same of soups, gravies, molten butter, etc. After all, however, there is no one who can judge of diet ,for the dyspeptic like the dyspeptic bimself.- Let such carefully examine themselves, and specially tUe fleets of diffiarent articles of diet upon their i^atem, and they may, without mistake, settle down upon those that are moit benefioial. The true and only secret upon jjihii subject is, U> eat noihing that disagreef, and anything that does not. OKRCnno OASTRO-EflTlSRlTlS, OB IRKtTATTOK OF TiB liftrC6t% MEMBRAinS OF THE STOMACH Ain> ^WELS. Ferhf"' 9 the largest class of invalidei that yisit', our mineral waters are those suffering from various def«>avlties of the digestive and Mmmila^ ' feed ; and in »per than light ■epared, may 1 is often the bread ii used, ad and stale, n Yirginia, is ae dyspeptics, aly harmless, Iressed or an- manufactured etc., must be rayies, molten ere is no one jeptic like the fully examine !ts of diffiarent md they may, those that are ly secret upon disagreeft tmd aOTATIOK OF ^TOHACHAKD idei that visit; ifferiog' from and asslmila- »j\gl''iJiL^w-.Xia|I|Jipii!jtt mmmmm DI8BA8BS — ^DUIBOTIORS. 136 tire functions, and with deranged condition of the mucous surfaces, particularly of the stomach and bowels. Of all people on the globe, the white population of the IJnited States are most subject to this class of affections. The abundance and variety of the food in which they indiscrimi- nately indulge ; the use of bad liquors and wines, drugged, as they often are, by the most poisonous substances, by which a gill of pure spirits is rep- resented in a quart of the tempting compound ; together with fast eating, or rather bolting, of food, peculiar to the '* g tobacco, not to allude to th? immense use of strong coffee; — ^to which may be added the incessant strain of the brain, and a never-ceasing excite- ment in the eager and uneasy straggle for wealth or political promotion ; if to these we add the effect of a wnstantly-acting malarious infiaeacie in many of the new States tad Territories, and a variable and irregular climate in other portions of our country, we will be at little loss to account for the common oceurrence of the eongestions and irritations of the digestive mucous sur&ces, whioh are exhibited under suck a variety of symptoms as often to conceal their true pathology from the careless observer, and even, not ttnfreqnentlyi to assume the name of different diseases, well oaloar lated to taiidMid as to theit true nature. 186 wmn suiPHtn spbzkos. •Uiidor the influences which thii congested, irri-^ iate^d, ftnd sometimes inflamed^ condition of the mncoos memhrane of the stomach and howels gives risoj the portal circulation is retarded, and the liver secretes slowljr an* imperfectly; with had digestion, there must he imperfect chylificetion, •ad imperfect and unhealthy hlood. The fnno tions of the kidneys, too, will he hndly performed, and, according to the diathesis that prevails, the urine will show an acid or alkaline predominance', in the form of liihio acid or the phosphates of lime and magnesia; irregularity of the htfDrels will prevail, sometimes too loose, sometimes cos- tive; operations sometimes dayey, oftener fnitcotw; occasionally, cholic wjU afflict, hut more fre- quently gtutrio or m^trtol (leuralgia, manifested by vagrMt and unsettled pains in various parts of the abdomen and chest, not unfrequently extend- ing to the windpipe, similating genuine bron- chitis, and often to the region of the heart, giving uneasy and alarming palpitations of that organ. When these intestinal mucous derangements ei^st in tiie female, the uterine system is often denuiged, the pwiods beccnne irregular or sus- piinded, and the natural secretions deficient; whihi ItMoorrAom, ot eMorosia, adds n^w causes of debility and discouragement. The ^rmn, badly nourished hy thinned <» vitiated blood, iB:lNN>ught> thfongh its nerve oondnetors» into a reverse iym- 0f&':[»^0 ongcated, irri-^ adition of the id bowels gives rd«d, and the ily, with bad chylification, d. The frnic- iljr performed, ; prevails, the predominaace', phosphates of >f the b<^Wels ometimes cos- ftoner «t«ootw; at more fre- ia, manifeiSted irioQs parts of lently extend- genuine bron- >f the heart, ations of that derangements stem is often gular or sns- ns deficient ; B^w causes of ) iffrain, badly! »d,JB:broaght> reterse iym- DUBASBS— DOUMXIOKS. 13t patby with the diseased surfaces of the stomach and bowels, and fully acts its morbid part in the drama of discomforts and complainings, in the form of distressed forebodings and imaginings, with manifestations of* such wretchedness and unsteadiness of purpose as we witness in hypo- chondriac and hysteria; sometimes by vertigo, headache, languor, disinclination for buainMS or society, ringing in the ears, watchfulness, cold feet, and, generally, by depressed or low spirits, with irritability and want of equanimity of temper. ' This peculiar disease of the stomach and bowels is far more common than it was in by-gone yews. I am satisfied that the appearance of such cases at our fashionable watering places has been more than duplicated within the last ten years. It occurs more frequently with gentlemen than with ladies, agreeably to my observation, and more frequently in youth and middle ag« than in per- sons advanced in life, but occasionally in all ages, and in both sexes. In several cases that have been uuder my dbnsrvation in the last year or two, I have been able to trace the origiirof the disease very distinctly to the use of bad wines and spirits, and to the intemperate use of tobacco. In the progress of this disease the neuraigie t^a^^mt often become very prominent, so mn^ so, ibde^, as sometimes to mislead the unwary ,^^i^aii^as they olk«B< do. the patient, into ih» 13* 188 WHin iolphob spungs. belief that the derangement of the nerves is the primftry and principal disease. It is easy for the experienced practitioner to ^n'derstand, but it is difficalt for him to describe, the maltifariotts and anomalous symptoms, or sympathies, consequent upon a confirmed irrita- tion of the mucous coats of the stomach and bowels, that give rise to gastric or intestinal neuralgia. The great mobility of the nerves, and of the nervous centre, the brain, gives rise to symptoms which, to some extent, actually control the case and the patient completely, and appear so prominent as to challenge a principal attention, .while in fact they are mere «ym|Ni