The next watering-place is the justly celebrated Hot Springs, five
miles southwest of the former, and situated in the same beautiful
valley.
"There are six baths at this place, called Hot Spouts, each supplied
with water from a separate spring; their highest temperature is about
106°. These waters contain sulphate of lime, carbonate of lime,
sulphate of soda, magnesia, a minute portion of muriate of iron,
carbonic acid gas, a trace of sulphuretted hydrogen gas, and nitrogen
gas. Taken internally, they are anti-acid, mildly aperient, and freely
diuretic and diaphoretic. But when used as a general bath, their
effects are great. They equalize an unbalanced circulation, and thereby
restore the different important parts of the system when torpid; they
relax contracted tendons, excite the action of the absorbent system,
promote glandular secretion, exert a marked and salutary influence
over the whole biliary system, and often relieve in a short time,
excruciating pain caused by palpable and long-standing disease of some
vital organ.
"The beneficial effects of hot spouts, topically applied, are so
miraculous, in many painful and obstinate complaints, that words cannot
adequately describe them.
"The effect of this bath on rheumatic and gouty affections, and on old,
deep-seated, and chronic complaints, that medicine does not seem to
reach, is very beneficial. It restores the surface to a good condition,
and promotes the healthy action of the skin; and every person who
drinks the water of the various sulphur springs, should afterwards stop
here two or three weeks, and try the virtue of the boiler. There are,
near the hotel, a hot and a cold spring issuing so near each other,
that you can dip the thumb and fore-finger of the same hand into hot
and cold water at the same time.
"These Springs are owned by Dr. Goode, who resides on the premises, and
directs in the management. There are comfortable bathing houses for
the accommodation both of male and female patients, in each of which
suitable arrangements are made for taking the sweet or plunge bath; or
for receiving douche when required."
The Hotel is _well kept_, which with a number of comfortable cabins
affords accommodations for about 175 persons.
From the Hot Springs we proceed to Calahan's, 20 miles, from thence to
the WHITE SULPHUR, in Greenbrier County, 15 miles. This is the most
celebrated watering-place in Virginia. "It is situated on the western
declivity of the Alleghany Mountain, some 6 or 8 miles from the summit,
and 35 miles southwest of the Hot Springs, in an extensive and
beautiful valley. Nature has made this one of the most enchanting spots
in the mountains of Virginia. The lawn and walks cover perhaps 50
acres. A short distance from the Spring are the hotel, the dining-hall,
and the ball-room: the rest of the ground is principally occupied with
cabins and cottages. These are in rows, one story high, built of wood,
brick, and hewed logs. These beautiful rows of buildings are designated
South Carolina Row, Virginia Row, Alabama Row, Louisiana Row, Paradise
Row, Baltimore Row, &c.
"The principal spring yields about 18 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 the
summer, this has 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 circumstances, gives a confidence, which experience in its
use has verified, of its uniform strength and efficiency.
"The present proprietor of this property came into possession of it in
the year 1808, but did not personally undertake its improvement until
the summer of 1818. Before this period, the buildings for the
accommodation of visiters, although sufficient for the number of
persons that then resorted to the place, were exceedingly rude, being
altogether small wooden huts. The interest and enterprise of the
proprietor, soon led him into a different and more appropriate system
of improvement, and from small beginnings he has gone on, progressing
in the rapid ratio of demand, until, from the 'tent' accommodations in
1779, and the 'log-cabin' in 1784, the place now, both in elegance and
extent, exhibits the appearance of a neat and flourishing village,
affording comfortable and convenient accommodations, (including the
surrounding hotels,) for from twelve to fifteen hundred persons." For a
full account of the White Sulphur Springs, we refer the reader to a
work written by Dr. Moorman, from which we have taken the liberty of
extracting one or two paragraphs. The White Sulphur Water has been
analyzed by Professor Rogers, and the result of his examination is as
follows:--
"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 ingredient in 100 cubic inches, estimated
as perfectly free from water._
Sulphate of lime, 31.680 grains.
Sulphate of magnesia, 8.241 "
Sulphate of soda, 4.050 "
Carbonate of lime, 1.530 "
Carbonate of magnesia, 0.506 "
Chloride of magnesium, 0.071 "
Chloride of calcium, 0.010 "
Chloride of sodium, 0.226 "
Protosulphate of iron, 0.069 "
Sulphate of alumine, 0.012 "
Earthy phosphates, a trace.
Azotized organic matter blended
with a large proportion of sulphur,
about 5 grains.
Iodine combined with sodium or magnesium.
_Volume of each of the gases in a free state, contained in 100
cubic inches._
Sulphuretted hydrogen, 0.66 to 1.30 cubic inches.
Nitrogen, 1.88 " "
Oxygen, 0.19 " "
Carbonic acid, 3.67 " "
"The White Sulphur Water is peculiarly adapted to chronic affections of
the organic system.
"It is highly beneficial in diseases of the stomach, liver, spleen,
kidneys, bladder,--some derangements of the nervous system,--female
disorders,--and scrofula, neuralgia, and rheumatism."
Nine miles west of the White Sulphur Springs is LEWISBURG, the
next place on our route. This is the county seat of Greenbrier, a
flourishing town, and the most important in this region of country. The
Court of Appeals holds its summer session in this place.