Nievre; Chateldon, Bar, Saint-Myon, Medague, Vic-le-Comte, dep.
Puy-de-Dome; Mont-Brison, Saint-Galmier, dep. Loire; Langeac, dep.
Haute-Loire. They are tonic and diuretic; and in large doses produce a
sensible degree of exhilaration.
They all afford a grateful and moderate stimulus to the stomach, but the
_warm acidulous springs_ are to be preferred as there are few of this
kind that do not contain a small portion of Iron and a larger portion of
carbonic acid gas, and are especially useful in all cases of impaired
digestion; while those which contain alkaline carbonates, as Pougues and
Saint-Galmier, are more particularly employed as palliatives in
calculous affections.
CHALYBEATE. Waters thus named owe their properties to iron in
combination generally with carbonic acid; and as the latter is usually
in excess, they are often acidulous as well as chalybeate. The metal is
found also in the form of a sulphate, but the instances of this are very
rare.
Chalybeate waters have a styptic or inky taste: they are, when fresh
drawn, transparent, but become black when mixed with tincture of
nut-galls; but an ochery sediment soon falls, and the water loses its
taste. If the iron be in the state of sulphate, however, no sediment
falls; and the black colour is produced by the above test, even after
the water has been boiled and filtered. Chalybeate springs are very
numerous in France, some of the following are much frequented:
Rennes-Les-bains, in the department of l'Aude; Saint-Honore, Passy, near
Paris; Forges, Aumale, Rouen, dep. Seine-inferieure; Contrexeville, dep.
Vosges; Bussang, Provins, dep. Seine-et-Marne; La Chapelle-Godefroi,
dep. of l'Aube; Saint-Gondon, Noyers, dep. Loiret; Fontenelle, dep.
Vendee; Watweiler, Upper-Rhine; Cransac, dep. l'Aveyron; Sainte-Marie,
dep. Cantal; Sermaise, dep. Marne; Ferrieres, Segray, dep. Loiret;
Alais, dep. Gard; Boulogne-sur-Mer, dep. Pas-de-Calais; Vals, dep.
l'Ardeche.
Chalybeate waters are powerful tonics, and are employed in dyspepsia,
scrofulous affections, cancer, amenorrhoea, chlorosis, and other
diseases of debility for which the artificial preparations of iron are
used. Much of the benefit derived from the use of chalybeate waters
depends on the extreme division of the metalic salts they contain, as
well as the vehicle in which it is held in solution; while at the same
time their operation is much modified by the carbonic acid gas by which
the iron is suspended. When the water is a carbonated chalybeate, it
should be drunk the moment it is drawn from the spring; but the same
precaution is not necessary with a water containing sulphate of iron.
SULPHUREOUS. Waters classed under this head derive their character
chiefly from sulphureted hydrogen gas; which in some of them is
uncombined, while in others it is united with lime or an alkali. They
are transparent when newly drawn from the spring, and have a foetid
odour which is gradually lost from exposure to the air, and the water
becomes turbid. When they are strongly impregnated with the gas, they
redden infusion of litmus, and exhibit some other of the characteristics
of acids; and, even in a weak state, they blacken silver and lead.
Besides containing sulphureted hydrogen gas, they are not unfrequently,
also, impregnated with carbonic acid. They generally contain muriate of
Magnesia or other saline matters, which modify their powers as a remedy.
The _warm sulphureous springs_ in France are those of Bareges,
Saint-Sauveur, dep. Upper Pyrenees; Cauterets, Bonnes, Cambo, dep. Lower
Pyrenees; Bagneres-de-Luchon, dep. Haute-Garonne; Ax, dep. l'Arriege;
Greoult, Digne, dep. Lower Alpes; Castera-Verduzan, dep. Gers; Bagnols,
dep. Lozere; Evaux, dep. Creuse; Saint-Amand, dep. Nord; Loeche, right
of the Rhone; Aix-la-Chapelle. The _cold sulphureous waters_ are those
of Enghien-les-Bains, in the department of Seine-et-Oise; La
Roche-Posay, dep. Vienne; Uriage, near Grenoble.
These waters are resorted to chiefly by patients who labour under
cutaneous affections and are applied locally as well as drunk.
They are slightly sudorific and diuretic, and apt to occasion in some
patients headache of short duration, directly after they are taken.
They are also employed for curing visceral and scrofulous obstructions,
torpor of the intestines, chronic engorgements of the joints: sprains of
long standing, obstinate catarrhs, rheumatism, etc, and in some
dyspeptic and hypochondriacal cases.
The _warm_ sulphureous waters are to be preferred; attention however
should be paid to the state of the bowels during their course which
ought to be kept free from any accumulation by the aid of some mild
aperient medicine; Spa Doctors trust almost entirely to the aperient
operation of the waters and doubtless, the crises, spa-fevers, and
re-actions described by foreign writers on the spas are often
attributable to the want of combining some mild mercurial alterative and
aperient with the use of the waters, and that many cures are prevented
or rendered ineffectual by the dread of mercury entertained by
continental Physicians. The following what Dr. Johnson terms the
_Auxilio-Preservative_ will be found of essential service taken every
night before drinking the morning waters.
R,
Ext: Col: Co:
Pil: Rhei: Co: a a gr. XL
Pil: Hydrarg: -- gr. X
Ol: Caryoph: -- gr. VI
ft. pil: XX capt. 1 vel: ij hora somni.
It is however absolutely necessary on patients arriving at any spa, to
consult the resident Physician.
With respect to the use of mineral waters in general, we consider them
as most important, and extremely beneficial in the treatment of disease;
some of the good effects of all of them however, must be allowed to
proceed from change of air and scene; relaxation from business,
amusement, temperance, and regular hours, and under these circumstances
the drinking the waters at the springs possesses advantages which cannot
be obtained from artificial waters, however excellent the imitations may
be, nor even from the natural water, when bottled and conveyed to a
distance from the springs.
SPAS
OF
CENTRAL FRANCE.
THERMAL SALINE WATERS,
PLOMBIERES.
_Plombiers_, a small town in the department of Vosges, twenty-four
leagues from Nancy, is situated between mountains in a deep narrow
valley watered by the Augrome.
According to a careful analysis made by M. Vauquelin, these waters
contain Subcarbonate of Soda, Sulphate of Soda, Chloride of Sodium,
Subcarbonate of Lime, and Silex. He affirms that they also contain an
animal matter greatly resembling gelatine, which performs an important
part in their action upon the animal economy; to this ingredient he
attributes the fetid odour which occasionally arises from the waters.
The thermal waters of Plombieres, are classed as follows:--1st The
_Bain des Dames_; having a heat of 126 deg. Fahr 2nd--The _Source du
Chene_, or _du Crucifix_; this is the only one of the waters not used
for bathing, but solely for drinking. 3d--The _source du Grand-Bain_
or _du milieu_, the temperature of the former is 130 deg.: and of the latter
142 deg. Fah. The _Grand Bain_ is called the _Bain des pauvres_.
4th--The _Bain-tempere_, which is supplied by two sources; one at
90 deg. and the other at 113 deg. Fah. 5th--The _Petit-Bain_ or _Capucins_,
is 113 deg. Fah. Its basin is divided into two parts, the temperature of the
water there being 95 deg. to 97 deg. Fah. 6th--The _Bain-Neuf_ or _Royal_,
has a square basin which receives the waters from a source formerly
called _l'enfer_, and had originally, a temperature of 153 deg. Fah. being
the hottest of the number. 7th--There is another source, called the
source _de Bassompierre_, situated at the upper part of the town.
These waters are stimulant, giving increased activity to the
circulation, and in great reputation for the cure of Chlorosis (green
sickness) chronic enteritis, neuralgia, scrofula, and in the chronic
and painful stages of gout and rhumatism. Although rarely beneficial in
severe cutaneous diseases they are in much esteem for their unctuous
qualities, which impart softness to the skin and allay superficial
irritations.
The season for taking these waters is from May to September, and this
place is then much frequented; the accommodations are very good, in the
principal street are arcades built by Stanislaus, king of Poland, under
which the company promenade.
LUXEUIL.
The great esteem in which these waters were anciently held is attested
by the vast ruins and immense number of antiquities which have been
found here; at present Luxeuil is a small but agreeable town in the
department of the Haute-Saone, twelve leagues from Besancon, situated in
a plain, and intersected by a street called the _rue des Romains_. The
bathing establishment, which is much admired, was built about the middle
of the last century, is adorned with a beautiful garden.
There are five Baths namely the _Bain des Femmes_; the _Bain des
Hommes_; the _Bain Neuf_; the _Grand-Bain_; the _Petit-Bain_.
The analysis of these waters is very incomplete; they are stated to
contain muriate of Soda, Lime, sulphate of Potash and a small portion of
Iron.
They have proved very beneficial in chronic rheumatism, paralysis,
chronic catarrh, alterations in the abdominal viscera, and in some
nervous affections. As these waters are less exciting than those of
Plombieres, they are more suitable to persons of a feeble and delicate
constitution.
The Baths are under the superintendance of a medical practitioner. A
Hotel, called the Lion d'Or, affords ample accommodation for persons who
come for the benefit of the waters. This place has been much frequented
of late.
BOURBON-LANCY.
The mineral waters of this place, containing a population of 2700, are
in the department of Saone-et-Loire, twelve leagues from Autun and
eighty from Paris.
Dr de Verchere, a talented and philanthropic man, who long had the
establishment under his management, reports numerous cures having been
effected by the waters.
Their celebrity is of ancient date, and they have at various times been
visited by several kings of France.
The town of Bourbon-Lancy is placed on the side of a hill, and
constitutes a striking feature in a beautiful landscape. The air is
extremely salubrious, and the place has long been remarkable for its
freedom from epidemics.
It abounds in the comforts and luxuries of life, and commodious
accommodations are provided for visitors, near the Baths.
The _Bread_ made here is said to be of a very superior quality, which
the inhabitants attribute to its being kneaded with the mineral waters.
Numerous kinds of excellent fish are furnished by the Loire.
The mineral waters of Bourbon-Lancy have apparently one common source
but appear at the surface of the earth in seven distinct springs. The
1st is called _le Lymbe_, from its great heat, as much as 135 deg. Fah.
2nd The _Fontaine de Saint-Leger_ temperature 100 deg. Fah. 3rd The
_Fontaine de la Reine_ temp: 108 deg. Fah. 4th The _Fontaine des Ecures_,
which take its name from the person who discovered the spring in 1600.
temp: 140 deg. Fah. 5th The _Bain Royal_, temp: 104 deg. Fah.
Mr Jacquemont's analysis of these waters exhibits the presence of
Carbonic Acid, and Muriate of Soda in excess, also the Sulphate of Soda,
Carbonate of Lime, Oxide of Iron and Silex.
It is to be regretted that a more minute analysis of the waters has not
been effected, for their continual boiling, and the saline efflorescence
which forms upon the sides of the pipes, would seem to indicate the
prevalence of fixed and volatile principles, the proportions of which it
would be important to demonstrate.
Their heat and stimulating qualities peculiarly adapt them for the cure
of obstinate chronic rheumatism, diseases of the lymphatics, chlorosis,
incipient disorganization of the stomach, bowels, and other abdominal
viscera. They have also been found highly beneficial in old gun shot
wounds.
The Bourbon waters are administered in different doses, according to the
constitution of the patient, and the nature of the disease, it is usual
to take several glasses in the morning at intervals of a quarter of an
hour.
The Baths varying in temperature from 90 deg. to 104 deg. Fah. are the most
commonly used, and with the greatest success. But the most active baths
are those varying from 113 deg. to 122 deg. Fah. but they require great caution
in their administration.
There are several kinds of douches at Bourbon as the ascending,
descending, fumigating, which are frequently used in torpidity of the
intestines and obstinate constipations; resource is also had to them in
some affections of the uterus and urinary organs. There are also _mud_
baths at this place.
BAGNOLES.
Bagnoles is a village in the department of l'Orne, the efficacy of the
mineral waters at this place, was discovered by the following singular
circumstance. An old horse having a disease of the skin, being covered
all over with sores, was about to be delivered up to the knacker when
his master calling to mind his good qualities, resolved upon turning him
into the _Coppice of Roches-Noires_. Two months after happening to pass
through the end of the valley, he descried an animal which he thought
much resembled his own discarded steed. The horse trotted up, approached
him familiarly, and though fat and sleek, was speedily recognised by his
owner, who wishing to ascertain the cause of such an unexpected and
astonishing cure, carefully watched the animal's movements, and
presently saw him roll himself with much apparent satisfaction in a
neighbouring bog, which upon putting his hand into it, he found to
contain much internal heat. This circumstance occasioned the clearing
out of the bog, when the source of a hot spring very limpid and very
abundant was discovered.
This cure, originated the idea of forming the present establishment
which since 1812 has been rapidly increasing in reputation. It stands at
the foot of a mountain between two rocky escarpments, in one of the
most beautiful and picturesque vallies in France.
Through this, winds the little river _la Vee_, the banks of which,
adjacent to the Baths, are prettily planted, and intersected with
numerous gravel walks, forming shady and agreeable promenades. The
luxuriance of the trees and meadows which adorn this fertile valley,
contrasted with the savage aspect of the vast rugged rocks by which it
is bordered, together with the pretty scattered villas, and the
salubrity of the air form a _tout ensemble_ rarely to be witnessed, and
which contributes not a little to the recovery of the numerous visitors
who resort to this fine establishment.
The mineral springs are received into a square cistern from whence they
are conducted into the bathing rooms; they are extremely clear, unctuous
to the touch, taste slightly acid, and emit a sulphureted hydrogen
odour: air bubbles continually ascend with the water, and break as they
reach the surface. The waters are found on analysis to contain carbonic
acid, and muriate of Soda, in excess; a very small quantity of sulphate
and muriate of lime, and muriate of Barytes. The sediment of the general
receptacle contains some sulphur and Iron.
The Bagnoles waters are at once tonic and purgative; they excite the
appetite, giving more activity to the digestive system, and have a
general tendency favourable to the promotion of healthy secretions and
excretions; particularly of the skin kidneys and glandular organs
generally.
Administered as Baths, they have a very salutary action upon the skin,
imparting to it a remarkable flexibility and softness.
M. Piette, who was forty years physician to this establishment,
published a report upon the efficacy of these waters, in obstinate
rheumatism, chronic catarrh, paralysis, chlorosis, leucorrhoea,
chronic gastritis, etc. After enumerating their other virtues he says:
"On lit dans les vieilles chroniques que les dames de la Normandie
allaient autrefois a Bagnoles pour porter remede a leur sterilite."
From three to six glasses constitute a dose of the waters, they are
taken in the morning.
The Bath rooms and appendages are judiciously arranged; when the natural
heat of the water--(from 82 deg. to 90 deg. Fah.) is deemed insufficient by the
physician, it can easily be increased by the aid of artificial heat,
without materially deteriorating the medicinal virtues of the water.
Many Spa Doctors however assert (Dr Granville amongst the number)
"that the _caloric_ of mineral waters is of a _specific_ kind, analogous
to the heat of the body." A heat incorporated with the water by a
chemico-vital process. And as no external warmth can supply the body
with _vital_ heat, so no artificially created temperature can be a real
substitute for the natural heat of thermal springs.
The temperature of the water of Bagnoles being about that of the
blood--98 deg. Fah. immersion in it produces but a slight sensation of heat;
the temperature of our bodies being below that of our blood. The
sensation is that of comfort.
Bagnoles is sixty leagues from Paris, and one league from the high road
leading from Alencon to Domfront, lying nearly on the route from Havre
to Tours.
CHAUDES-AIGUES.
This is a small town in the department of Cantal, six leagues from
Saint-Flour, on the road between Clermont and Toulouse, and derives its
name from its thermal waters, which were much resorted to in the
fifteenth century, and then called _Calentes Baiae_.
The temperature of the springs vary from 167 deg. to 189 deg. Fah. The resident
poor turn this high temperature to many economical purposes, frequently
cooking their entire meals by the natural heat of the waters; an egg is
boiled hard by five minutes immersion.
The waters are extensively used by Curriers, Tanners, stuff and Flannel
manufacturers, etc, their alkaline principles being found peculiarly
adapted to many essential processes in these respective trades; to
coloured articles, they are considered to give brilliancy and permanence
to the dyes.
The _Belle Fontaine du Parc_, the highest in temperature of the spring,
contains muriate of Soda, carbonate of lime; carbonate of Iron, and
Silex.
These waters were held in high repute by the Romans and are particularly
mentioned by one of their historians; "Calentes nunc te Baiae, et scabris
cavernatim ructata pumicibus aqua sulfuris atque jecorosis ac
phthisiscentibus languidis medicabilis piscina delectat."
They have an _alterative_ or _deobstruent_ action, are therefore
applicable to a long catalogue of maladies arising from congestion and
obstructions of the abdominal viscera.
WARM ACIDULOUS AND GASEOUS WATERS,
VICHY.
Vichy is situated in the department of the Allier, 87 leagues from
Paris, fifteen from Moulins and thirty two from Lyon, in a valley
surrounded by beautiful and fertile hills. The excellent roads which
lead to this town, the purity of the air, the comfort and amusement
which may be found in it combine to render it one of the most frequented
watering places in France.
Its mineral waters were known to the Romans, and vestiges of ancient
baths, coins etc. have frequently been found here. In the 14th
century a monastery of the order of Celestins was founded at Vichy by
Louis 2nd Duke of Bourbon, and in the following century, during the
wars of the Praguerie this town was beseiged by Charles the 7th, and
although fortified, taken by him in 1440.
Both Madame de Sevigne and the famous Flechier speak in the highest
terms of the charms of this delightful place and vie with each other in
its praise. It was visited in 1814 by the duchess of Angouleme, since
which it has rapidly risen into notice, and owing to the exertions of
the inhabitants to accommodate the numbers who now flock to these justly
celebrated waters, few towns offer more resources to the invalid than
Vichy.
The names of the principal Baths are,
1st--The _Grande-Grille_, temperature 104 deg. to 108 deg. Fah:
2nd--The _Petit-Puits carre_, temp. 113 deg. Fah:
3rd--The _Grande-Puits carre_, 113 deg. Fah: which supplies the Baths.
These three springs are in the Bath house, under the gallery where
persons taking the waters promenade.
4th--The _Petit-Boulet_, temp. 95 deg. Fah:
5th--The _Gros-Boulet_ or the _Hopital_, temp. 99 deg. Fah:
6th--The _source Lucas_, temp. 97 deg.
7th--The _Fontaine des Celestins_, temp. 74 deg. Fah:
All situated in a neat building near the Allier, and at the foot of a
mountain.
The following is an analysis of the _Grande-Grille_;--free carbonic
acid, carbonate of Soda, carbonate of Lime, carbonate of Magnesia,
muriate of Soda, sulphate of Soda, oxide of Iron and Silex.
The other Baths contain the same ingredients, but the proportions
slightly differ; from all the water presents nearly the same appearance.
It is clear and colourless, and filled with a great quantity of bubbles
rising continually to its surface: its taste is sharp and slightly
acidulated.
The waters of Vichy are recommended in most chronic affections,
particularly of the stomach, congestions of the liver and abdominal
organs generally; haemorrhoids, leucorrhoea, engorgements and
indurations of the uterus, ovaries, etc; colic, cramps and epigastric
pains; disorders of the urinary organs, nervous and intermittent fevers
of long standing. Having a tranquillizing effect upon the nervous
system, they are peculiarly adapted to cases of hypochondriasis,
neuralgia, chorea, etc.
The season at Vichy begins on the 13th of May, and finishes on the
20th of September, but precaution must be used in taking these waters
during excessively hot or stormy weather. Their general effects upon the
constitution are said to be very analogous to those of the celebrated
waters of Carlsbad in Germany.
SAINT-ALBAN.
This small hamlet two leagues from Roanne on the left bank of the Loire,
is much indebted to being situated in the vicinity of Lyon, for the
celebrity the waters have attained, and still maintain. Those invalids
who come for the purpose of drinking the waters will find good
accommodation.
These mineral waters are pungent and acidulous to the taste, and very
limpid, the presence of carbonic acid is perceptible every moment by the
immense quantity of bubbles which break on the surface of the water.
Their temperature is 65 deg. Fah:
Their analysis demonstrates the presence of nitrate of Lime, carbonate
of Soda, sulphate of Lime, carbonate of Lime and oxide of Iron. Of the
volatile principles carbonic acid gas predominates.
The waters are found very beneficial in almost all chronic diseases,
they are taken chiefly in the spring, and are heated to be used as
Baths.
COLD ACIDULOUS AND GASEOUS WATERS,
POUGUES.
Pougues is a small well built town, upon the high road leading from
Paris to Lyons by Moulins; it is situated between Nevers and
Charite-sur-Loire, in a fine rich valley a quarter of a league long. The
air is very salubrious, and the neighbouring vineyards produce excellent
wine.
The accommodations for visitors are on an extensive scale, and from its
proximity to Nevers, every necessary of life can be readily obtained.
The waters of this place greatly resemble those of Spa and Seltzer;
they are received into two fountains, called _Saint-Leger_ and
_Saint-Marcel_ which are surrounded by a prettily laid out garden and a
covered promenade.
The mineral waters of Pougues have been analyzed several times, but the
preference is given to that of _Hassenfratz_, who shows the presence of
free carbonic acid, carbonate of Lime, carbonate of Soda, muriate of
Soda, carbonate of Magnesia, Alum, Silex, and the oxide of Iron.
Monsieur le docteur Martin affirms that these waters are essentially
tonic and purgative, that they are suitable in all cases of debility of
the digestive organs, in affections of the liver and spleen, in
inveterate jaundice, irregular menstruation, nephritic complaints,
removing heat of the kidneys and bladder and in expelling gravel.