through a confined place, the upper covering becomes encrusted with
sulphur. This is particularly the case with respect to the dome of the
vault that encloses the great source which supplies the Emperor’s bath,
and which is opened, from time to time, for the purpose of having the
sulphur brushed off.
From the waters of Aix─la─Chapelle, though only internally used, the
body acquires a sulphureous smell; and even silver worn in the pocket
becomes tarnished.
286. _BORSET WATER is of two kinds. One of these resembles the water of
Aix in every respect, except as to the impregnation of sulphur, which is
much weaker: its temperature is 132°. The other contains no sulphur: it
is, however, equally alkaline, and the heat is as high as 152°, which
much exceeds the hottest of the waters of Aix._
Both these waters are used by fullers and cloth─workers, on account of
the convenience they afford, without expense, of a sufficiency of hot
and somewhat alkaline fluid which is well adapted for the cleansing of
woollen cloth.
In the latter of the above─mentioned springs a large portion of earth is
suspended. This, as the water cools, is deposited, and forms hard
incrustations of considerable thickness round every substance with which
it comes in contact. It is not, however, on this account found less
useful for the scouring of cloth, boiling of vegetables for the table,
or any of those domestic purposes for which soft water is required.
In this spring there is a considerable portion of carbonic acid gas, or
fixed air (26), which is continually escaping from the fresh water, and
is in sufficient quantity to corrode, in a short time, the leaden
covering that is used for the vapour baths, and any iron within its
reach.
After having supplied several baths, the stream flows into a large fish
pond, where it is still of blood heat. In this pond we are informed that
carp and tench multiply very fast, and grow to an enormous size; but
that their flesh is soft and without flavour, until they have been
removed, for about six months, into a pond of cold water, where they
become perfectly firm and good for the table.
In their medicinal application these waters are chiefly employed
externally, and their great heat allows of every convenience for vapour,
hot, warm, and tepid bathing. The village of Borset, or Bordscheit, in
which they are found, is situated about a quarter of a mile south of
Aix─la─Chapelle (285).
5. HOT, SALINE, HIGHLY CARBONATED CHALYBEATE WATER.
287. _THE VICHY WATERS are hot, saline, and chalybeate. They vary in
some degree in the different springs, have a salt and somewhat bitter
taste, and a considerable pungency of smell. They are alkaline, and
about the temperature of 120°._
There are, at Vichy, a small town on the banks of the river Allier,
about 180 miles south─east of Paris, no fewer than six different springs
of hot water, which vary somewhat in their temperature, and in the
proportion of their foreign contents. The valley in which this town is
situated is highly fertile and beautiful, and abounds in vineyards and
fruit─trees.
It is remarkable that sheep, cows, and other animals, crowd to drink
this water with great eagerness, and even to lick the stones and sides
of the channel through which it flows. Their partiality for it is so
great that, at certain times, they are known to swim across the river
Allier, in considerable numbers together, without even tasting of that
water, and to proceed, without interruption onward, until they reach
this their favourite beverage.
288. _CARLSBAD WATER is hot, saline, and chalybeate, having an
unpleasant alkaline and bitter taste, though scarcely any smell. Its
constant temperature is 165°. It contains chalk, Glauber’s salt (203),
common salt, and carbonat of soda (201), together with a small portion
of iron; and carbonic acid gas, or fixed air (26), in considerable
quantity._
The town of Carlsbad, situated on the river Eger, in Bohemia, and its
springs (which have the name of _Caroline baths_), received their
appellation from the Emperor Charles the Fourth, who is said to have
himself discovered the latter, in the year 1370, whilst hunting; and,
since that period, few waters have more engaged the attention of
chemists and physicians than these. Carlsbad is now much frequented
during the summer months, and has good accommodations as a watering
place. Its water is remarkable for a rapid and copious deposition of
calcareous earth, which takes place always on cooling, and forms a very
hard and beautiful crust on the inner surface or tube of any channel
through which it flows; and forms petrifactions round moss, pieces of
straw, or other extraneous substances which are put into the stream,
even for so short a time as twenty─four hours. All the iron which the
fresh water contains is also precipitated by cooling, and rather sooner
than the calcareous earth. A very fine laminated calcareous stone in
variegated colours is thus formed in large masses around the channel of
the stream, which, when polished, is almost equal in beauty to jasper.
Of the hot springs of this neighbourhood the principal is called the
_Sprudel_. It boils up, with great violence, and discharges about 352
cubic feet of water hourly, through a curious natural vault or
incrustation which it has gradually formed. This water supplies the
greater number of the baths. The other springs are, in general, of much
lower temperature: they do not exceed from 114° to 125°, and they differ
somewhat from each other in their chemical properties. They all contain
a large portion of carbonic acid gas, or fixed air, and this is given
out in such quantity by the water, that it fills several caverns, in the
rocks adjoining to the springs, rendering them fatal to all animals
which incautiously enter them.
The waters of Carlsbad are used for the removal of a great variety of
disorders, but particularly such as are connected with indigestion. They
are likewise used in obstructions of the bowels, and diseases of the
kidneys. About five pints, divided into fourteen portions, are, on an
average, drunk by each individual every day.
The Sprudel spring is better than that of any mineral waters which are
employed medicinally. It requires to be considerably cooled before it
can either be used as a bath, or drunk. Its heat is such that it is
occasionally employed, in place of water artificially heated, for
several domestic purposes, such as the scalding of fowls and hogs, the
feathers and hair of which it immediately loosens.
Several hundred pounds weight of Glauber’s salt are annually prepared
from this water.
6. SIMPLE SALINE WATERS.
289. _SEDLITZ WATER is very salty and bitter. It contains a small
portion of chalk, some sulphat of lime (192), carbonat of magnesia,
muriat of magnesia, and a very great proportion of Epsom salt (199), to
which its bitter taste and medicinal virtues are principally
attributed._
The spring for which the village of Sedlitz, in Bohemia, has long been
celebrated, was, for many years, wholly neglected by the inhabitants, on
account of the bitter and nauseous taste of its water, which rendered it
unfit for nearly all domestic purposes. Its virtues, as a medicine, were
first brought into notice about the year 1721, by Hoffman, the
celebrated Prussian physician.
This water is considered a valuable remedy in cases of indigestion, for
removing scorbutic humours, and in several other complaints.
290. _EPSOM WATER is saline, and partakes, in some degree, of the nature
and qualities of Sedlitz water, but it is by no means so powerful. It is
transparent and colourless; and, when first taken into the mouth, has
scarcely any taste, but it leaves a decidedly bitter and saltish taste
on the palate._
_This water contains sulphat of magnesia, or Epsom salt (199), selenite,
and a small portion of chalk._
Although the Epsom waters, on account of their deficiency of strength,
are now scarcely ever employed in medicine, yet they were among the
first saline cathartic springs which were brought into use in this
country. The salt to which they owe their property, and which is known
throughout Europe by the name of Epsom salt, was, for many years,
prepared almost exclusively from them and from Sedlitz water. But the
quantity which they supplied was found so very inadequate to the
increasing demands for this salt in medicine, that Epsom Salt has, for
some time past, been manufactured from sea water.
Epsom water, if closely corked, may be kept for several months without
injury: but, otherwise, it soon becomes putrid. The spring from which it
issues is situated about half a mile from the town of Epsom in Surrey,
sixteen miles south of London.
There are, in the neighbourhood of London, many springs of similar
quality to this of Epsom: of these the principal are at Acton, Kilburne,
Bagnigge Wells, and formerly the Dog and Duck in St. George’s Fields;
but they are, in general, so weak as to render very large quantities of
the water necessary to produce any sufficient medical effect.
7. HIGHLY CARBONATED ALKALINE WATER.
291. _SELTZER WATER is an highly carbonated alkaline water. When fresh,
or well preserved, it is perfectly clear, and sparkles much when poured
into a glass. It is somewhat pungent, slightly saline, and a little
alkaline to the taste._
_It contains chalk, carbonat of magnesia, carbonat of soda (201), and
common salt; and more carbonic acid gas, or fixed_
_air (26), than any water hitherto known. It is hard, and curdles with
soap._
The spring which supplies this water is situated in Nieder Seltzer, a
village in a fine woody country, within the bishopric of Treves; and
there are few mineral springs which have acquired so much celebrity for
medical virtues as this. The diseases, for the removal of which it has
been successfully applied, are too numerous to be here particularized.
To the taste it is very agreeable, and when drunk in moderate quantity,
it exhilarates the spirits, increases the appetite, and produces no
particular determination to the bowels. It is to the strong impregnation
with carbonic acid, and the small proportion of soda which it contains,
that its most important benefits are owing.
If it be closely corked and sealed, Seltzer water may be kept without
injury, or even alteration, for a very considerable time; but, if
exposed to the air, it soon becomes fetid. It is used as a common drink
at table in many parts of Germany and Holland, and is even brought into
England in stone bottles, each containing about three pints. A large
proportion of Seltzer water, either genuine or artificial, is consumed
in this country.
8. CHALYBEATE WATERS.
292. Are such as contain a portion of iron. This is easily detected by
the property which it has of striking a black colour with tincture of
nutgalls.
293. _TUNBRIDGE WATER is a carbonated chalybeate, the small portion of
iron which it contains being held in solution by carbonic acid (26). It
is, however, neither brisk nor acidulous. To the taste it is simply
chalybeate; and that only in a slight degree._
_Its foreign contents are oxide of iron (21), a small portion of common
salt, muriat of magnesia, and sulphat of lime (192), carbonic acid gas
or fixed air (26), and other gases, but these only in small quantity._
Tunbridge Wells is a populous village, situated in a sandy but romantic
valley in the county of Kent, about five miles from the town of
Tunbridge, and thirty─six miles south of London. There are, at this
place, many chalybeate springs, all of which nearly resemble each other
in their chemical properties. Two of them, however, are chiefly used,
each of which yields about a gallon of water in a minute.
When first taken from the stone basin into which it flows, the water is
perfectly clear and bright, and exhales no particular smell. It does not
sparkle in the glass, but a few bubbles slowly separate, and adhere to
the sides of the vessel. When it has stood for some hours exposed to the
air, it becomes turbid, and otherwise undergoes a very material change.
As it does not properly curdle soap, it may be denominated a soft water.
The original discovery of this water, as to its medical properties, is
usually considered to have been in the reign of James the First. The
season for drinking it commences as early as March or April, and
continues till November.
_294. SPA WATER, the celebrity of which has given a general appellation
to most other mineral springs, is a highly carbonated chalybeate water,
which contains a great proportion of carbonic acid (26). It has an
agreeable acidulous taste, mixed with a strong impression of chalybeate,
which remains on the palate for a considerable time after it has been
drunk._
_It contains oxide of iron (21), chalk, carbonat of magnesia, carbonat
of soda (201), and common salt, together with about forty─five parts in
a hundred of carbonic acid gas or fixed air (26); and is sufficiently
soft to mix both with milk and soap without curdling._
Spa is a small but celebrated town in the Netherlands. It is situated on
the little river Weze, about twenty miles south─east of Liege, and seven
miles south─west of Linsburg; and is surrounded by rude and uncultivated
mountains, many of which are covered with wood, and others with heath or
morasses. In its neighbourhood there are no fewer than sixteen mineral
springs, five of which are more celebrated than the others. The most
copious and most frequented of the whole is the _Pouhon spring_, in the
market─place of Spa. This is a large, slow, and deep spring, the descent
to which is by several steps. In cold dry weather the water, when first
taken up, appears colourless and perfectly transparent: it scarcely
sparkles, but it soon covers the inside of the glass with small
air─bubbles, which it also emits very copiously when shaken. During
moist weather the surface of the well appears somewhat turbid: and, on
the approach of rain, a whistling or humming noise is heard, which is
called by the country people the music of the spring.
If this water be bottled, and then set in a warm place, it will
generally force out the cork, with a loud explosive noise. In preserving
it for exportation, it is consequently necessary to wire the corks
firmly down. In this state, if well cemented, it may be kept perfectly
good for more than two years.
It is somewhat remarkable, respecting this water, that if it be taken in
a full draught, particularly in hot weather, or upon an empty stomach,
it produces a swimming in the head, and a degree of intoxication, which
frequently continues for half an hour or upwards, and is very similar to
that which arises from the drinking of spirituous liquor, but it does
not leave the same debility.
295. _PYRMONT WATER is a highly carbonated chalybeate. When recently
taken from the spring, it is clear and pellucid, and sends forth a
copious stream of bubbles for a considerable time. In this respect it
far exceeds any of the mineral waters with which we are acquainted. Its
taste is pleasant, being strongly acidulated, and having a pungency not
unlike that of brisk Champagne wine; but it is at the same time strongly
chalybeate, and a little bitterish._
_It chiefly contains oxide of iron (21), chalk, carbonat of magnesia,
Epsom salt (199), sulphat of lime (193), and common salt, and a great
proportion of carbonic acid gas, or fixed air. It is very hard._
Pyrmont is a town of Westphalia, and about thirty─eight miles south─west
of Hanover. It is the capital of a county, has a strong fort, and is
well known on account of its mineral springs.
The water which issues from these springs constantly emits so large a
quantity of gas as to have a sensible pungency of smell to those who
stand around, and even to make the water─servers giddy. It forms an
atmosphere over the surface of the well which proves fatal to ducks and
small birds that attempt to swim across. The gas contained in the water
is estimated to be nearly equal in bulk to the water. It is owing to
this, that Pyrmont water, if bottled and well corked, and afterwards
removed into a warm place, will frequently burst the bottles.
When drawn fresh from the spring and drunk copiously, it produces a
temporary kind of intoxication. It also enlivens the spirits and
increases the appetite. This water is sent in bottles, by the Weser, to
Bremen, whence it is exported to various parts of the world.
296. _CHELTENHAM WATER is a saline, carbonated, chalybeate, which has a
slight sulphureous smell, and a brackish, somewhat bitter, and
chalybeate taste, but no briskness nor pungency._
_Its foreign contents are Glauber’s salts (203), muriat and carbonat of
magnesia, common salt, and oxide of iron, together with a portion of
carbonic acid gas, and some other kinds of gas._
The original discovery of the mineral spring at Cheltenham was about the
year 1716. The water of this spring issues slowly, and in a scanty
stream of not more than 35 pints in an hour, from a bed of sand
intermixed with blue clay. The well is sunk to the depth of six feet,
and is excluded from communication with the external air. This spring is
denominated the _Old Spa_.
In the year 1788, on digging a well for a private house, another spring
was accidentally discovered, which is of nearly the same nature as this,
and produces a much more abundant supply of water. It is about a hundred
yards distant from it, is upwards of forty feet deep, and is drawn by a
pump.
When Cheltenham water is fresh drawn, it appears tolerably clear, though
not perfectly transparent. After standing some time, it becomes more
turbid, and air─bubbles, in small quantity, rise from it. It contains
more salt than perhaps any other waters, except those of the sea and
some brine springs; and by far the greatest part of the salts are of a
purgative kind. It is also a very strong chalybeate, and has a slight
impregnation of sulphur.
This water cannot long be kept, nor can it be transported to any
distance without being materially altered. In order, however, to reduce
its valuable parts to a more convenient form, for carriage and keeping,
the salts are extracted from it on the spot, by evaporation, and
crystallizing the residuum. These salts are much used, in addition to
the fresh water, for the purpose of increasing its operation on the
bowels.
Cheltenham is a small town in the county of Gloucester. It is about
ninety─five miles north─west of London, situated in a sandy vale,
surrounded with hills of moderate height, and in the midst of a fertile
and well cultivated country.
297. _BRIGHTON CHALYBEATE WATER is a vitriolated chalybeate, which, when
fresh, has a peculiar and faint smell not uncommon in ferruginous
waters, and a strong though not unpleasant chalybeate taste._
_It contains sulphat of iron or vitriol (208), sulphat of lime (182),
common salt, muriat of magnesia, siliceous earth, and a certain portion
of carbonic acid gas (26)._
Brighton is a well─known market─town, situated on the coast of Sussex,
and about fifty─four miles south of London. The chalybeate spring is at
Wick, on the declivity of a small eminence nearly a mile west of the
town, and a quarter of a mile from the sea. A small but neat building
has been erected immediately over the spot from which the water issues,
and where it is received, a few feet under ground, into a basin of
Portland stone. This reservoir contains only a few gallons of water, but
it fills again almost as soon as it is emptied.
The water is so hard as instantly to curdle soap. It is considered
useful in cases of debility, indigestion, and such diseases for which
chalybeate and tonic remedies are required. The sea─bathing at Brighton
is, in many cases, an additional and important advantage to those
persons who use the chalybeate water.
9. COLD SULPHUREOUS WATERS.
298. HEPATIC, or SULPHUREOUS WATERS, are so strongly impregnated with
sulphur, united either to hydrogen (45), or to an alkali, or both, as
thereby to acquire a very sensible smell and taste. They have the
property of blacking silver and lead; and are immediately known by the
smell, which is very fetid, and like that which arises from the scouring
of a foul gun─barrel, or, as some persons suppose, like the smell of
rotten eggs.
The taste of these waters is peculiar, and rather sweetish. They
constitute a drink which, at first, is very unpalatable, but which, by
habit, is soon reconciled to the drinker. None of them will bear
carriage to any distance.
299. _HARROWGATE WATER is a cold sulphureous water, which has a very
strong and fetid smell, like that of a damp rusty gun─barrel. To the
taste it is bitter, nauseous, and strongly saline._
_Its foreign contents are common salt, muriat of lime, muriat of
magnesia, chalk, carbonat of magnesia, Epsom salt (199), carbonic acid
gas, or fixed air (26), azotic gas, and sulphureted hydrogen gas._
There are, at Harrowgate, four distinct sulphureous springs, which
appear to have their rise in a large bog, at a small distance from the
wells. The water of all these springs is similar in its properties and
its distinguishing characters, but as one of them is more strongly
impregnated with sulphur than the others, this alone is used for
drinking, whilst the other three are employed to supply the baths.
When the water of the former of these springs is first taken up, it is
perfectly clear and transparent; and sends forth a few air─bubbles.
Notwithstanding both its nauseous smell and taste, such is the power of
habit in reconciling it to the palate, that, after a little while,
nearly all persons who drink this water do it without disgust.
When exposed to the air it loses its transparency, and assumes a
somewhat greenish colour: the sulphureous odour abates; and, at last,
the sulphur is deposited on the bottom and sides of the vessel in which
it is kept.
Such is the nature of Harrowgate water that a secret correspondence has
often been carried on by means of it. A letter written with solution of
sugar of lead is illegible; but if dipped into this water the writing
will not merely become visible, but, in a short time, will appear almost
black. Hydrogen has the property of reviving the metallic oxides: hence
also it is that ladies who have used metallic cosmetics have become of a
dark tawny colour by bathing in these waters.
Harrowgate has long been celebrated for its sulphureous waters. It has
also two very valuable chalybeate springs, called the _Old Spa_, and the
_Tewit Well_, the water of which was formerly used internally, whilst
the other water was confined to external use. But, at present, the
latter is employed to very great extent as an internal medicine.
The two villages of High and Low Harrowgate are situated in a pleasant
open country, in the centre of the county of York, near the town of
Knaresborough, and about 212 miles north of London.
300. _MOFFAT WATER is a cold sulphureous water, the smell of which is
precisely similar to that of Harrowgate water, and the taste simply
saline, and without any bitterness._
_Its foreign contents are common salt, together with carbonic acid gas,
azotic gas, and sulphureted hydrogen gas. It is consequently very simple
in its composition._
Moffat is a village situated, at the head of a valley, on the banks of
the river Annan, and about fifty─six miles south─west of Edinburgh. It
is surrounded by hills, some of which are very lofty. This village has
obtained so much celebrity, on account of its waters, as to be
considered the Harrowgate of North Britain. These issue from a rock
which is at a little distance below a bog, whence, probably, they derive
their sulphureous ingredients. The principal spring is contained within
a stone building, and affords a sufficient quantity of water to supply
every demand. It is drawn by a pump.
When the water is first taken from the well it appears somewhat milky
and bluish. It sparkles a little; but, on being exposed to the air, it
becomes turbid, and throws up a thin film, which, on examination, will
be found pure sulphur. This change takes place even in close vessels, so
that it cannot be sent to any distance with advantage.