HOOKER'S HOT SPRINGS
Arizona has several hot springs within her borders but, perhaps, none
are more valuable nor picturesquely located than Hooker's hot springs.
These springs are located in the foothills on the western slope of the
Galiura mountains in southeastern Arizona, thirty-five miles west of
Willcox on the Southern Pacific Railroad. The spot is beautifully
situated, commanding an extended view of valley and mountain scenery.
There are a dozen springs, big and little, in the group and are
scattered over several acres of hillside. The temperature of the water
is 130 degrees Fahrenheit and too hot to drink but, if sipped slowly,
it makes an admirable hot-water draught. The springs evidently have
their source deep down in the earth and the flow of water never varies.
When the water from the different springs is all united it forms a good
sized brook. The water is conducted through pipes into the bath house,
where it supplies a row of bath-tubs with water of any desired
temperature. The surplus water flows into a large earthern tank or
artificial lake and is used for irrigating a small farm that produces
grain, fruits and vegetables.
The water from these springs is in great demand and is not only sought
by the human biped, but is also in favor with the equine quadruped.
Every morning after the stable doors are thrown open and the horses
turned loose they invariably, of their own accord, proceed to the lake,
wade out into shallow water and take a bath. They lie down and splash
the water about like a lot of schoolboys taking a swim.
The water from all the springs is perfectly soft and pure. It cannot
be called a mineral water, as an analysis shows that it contains only a
trace of any kind of mineral matter. This peculiarity of the water is
no damage to the springs, since purity is the best recommendation that
any water can have. Water that is heavily mineralized may be
medicinal, but is not necessarily remedial, or even wholesome,
notwithstanding the popular belief to the contrary. Water that is
charged with much mineral is spoiled for drinking. Moderately hard
water need not be injurious to anybody, but is especially beneficial to
children. The assimilative function in the child appropriates mineral
water tardily and sometimes absorbs it altogether too slowly for the
child's good. Its absence in the system causes a disease called
rickets, in which, from all lack of lime, the bones of the child become
soft and yielding. The bones of a rickety child will bend rather than
break. It is slow to walk and inclines to become bow-legged.
It is entirely different in old age. As the years multiply the system
absorbs an abnormal and ever increasing amount of calcareous matter.
The bones become unduly hard and brittle and are easily broken. Bony
matter is liable to be deposited in and about the joints, when they
become stiff and painful. It also lodges in the various soft tissues
of the body, and ossification of the valves of the heart and walls of
the arteries sometimes happens. It weakens the blood vessels so that
they easily rupture, which causes apoplexy, paralysis and death.
Calcareous concretions in the kidneys and bladder, also, come from the
same cause, and are called gravel. Such deposits are not only annoying
and painful to the patient, but in time may prove fatal if not removed
by surgery.
Middle-aged and elderly people should never drink anything but soft
water. If a natural supply of soft water cannot be obtained distilled
water should be substituted. If neither natural soft water nor
distilled water are available, and there is doubt as to the purity of
the water that is being used, it should be boiled and then let stand to
cool and settle. Boiling not only destroys and renders harmless any
organic germs that may be present, but also precipitates and eliminates
much of its inorganic salts.
A few drops of a weak solution of nitrate of silver added to a glass of
water will quickly determine its quality. If the water that is being
tested is free from mineral matter no change is produced, but if it
contains mineral it turns the water opaque or milky.
The value of mineral water as a healthful or necessary drink has been
greatly exaggerated. While it may do good in some instances, it is not
nearly as beneficial as is commonly supposed. Instead of it always
doing good the contrary is often true.
If a mineral water is desired there is no necessity of visiting a
mineral spring to obtain it, as it can be made artificially at home or
at the nearest pharmacy in any quantity or of any quality desired, with
the additional advantage of having it contain exactly the ingredients
wanted. There are nearly as many mineral waters on the market as there
are patent medicines, and both are about equally misrepresented and
deceiving. All classes of people would undoubtedly be greatly
benefited in health, strength and longevity if more attention was given
to the quality of our domestic water supply. Any one who needs a
change, other things being equal, should seek a resort that furnishes
pure, soft water rather than choose a spring that only boasts of its
mineral properties. Not all of the benefit that is derived from a
course at watering place is due to the virtues of the water, be it ever
so potent. The change of environment, climate, diet, bathing, etc.,
are each factors that contribute something towards a cure.
Next to using pure water as a beverage it is important to know how to
bathe properly, such knowledge being simple and plain enough if only
common sense is used. Usually the more simply a bath is administered
the better are the results. Some people seem to think that in order to
derive any benefit from a bath it is necessary to employ some unusual
or complicated process. Nothing is further from the truth. The plain,
tepid bath is the best for general use. It thoroughly cleanses the
body and produces no unpleasant shock. A hot bath is rarely needed
but, if it is used, enough time should be given after it to rest and
cool off before going out into the open air in order to avoid taking
cold. The good or harm of a bath must be judged by its effects.
A bath is only beneficial when it is followed by a healthy reaction,
which is indicated by an agreeable feeling of warmth and comfort, and
is injurious if the subject feels cold, weak or depressed. A bath does
not affect all people alike; what will do one person good may injure
another. It is never wise to prescribe a stereotyped treatment for
every patient. The disease, temperament and constitution of each
individual must be taken into account and the temperature and frequency
of the bath must be determined and regulated by the necessity and
idiosyncrasies of each case. The amount of bathing that a strong,
full-blooded person could endure would mop out the life of a thin,
bloodless weakling.
Locally, these springs have become famous because of the remarkable
cures they have effected, and are sought by many sick people who have
failed to find relief by other means. Before the white man came the
Indians used the water for curing their sick. The water is curative in
rheumatism, neuralgia, dyspepsia, blood and skin disorders and kidney
complaint. The water cure is all right even if it does not always
fulfill every expectation.
Hooker's hot springs is a pleasant place to visit for people who are
not invalids. It is off the beaten path of travel and is an ideal spot
for the tired man who needs a rest. It has not yet been overrun by the
crowd, but retains all of the natural charm of freshness which the old
resorts have lost. Here nature riots in all of her wild beauty and has
not yet been perceptibly marred by the despoiling hand of man.
Aside from the luxury of the baths which the place affords the visitor
can find a great deal to please him. The climate is healthful and the
weather pleasant during most of the year. In the near vicinity much
can be found in nature that is interesting. Never-failing mountain
streams, deep canons and dark forests wait to be visited and explored,
while curiosities in animal and vegetable life abound. Not far off is
a place here perfect geodes of chalcedony are found.
Mining and ranching are the leading industries of the country and a
visit to some neighboring mine or cattle ranch is not without interest
to the novice. But, if he starts out on such a trip he must decide to
make a day of it, as the country is sparsely settled and the distances
long between camps. If the accommodations where he stops are not
always luxurious the welcome is cordial and the entertainment
comfortable. The new experience is also delightfully romantic.