Transcribed from the 1892 John Heywood edition by David Price, email
ccx074@pglaf.org
BUXTON
AND ITS
MEDICINAL WATERS.
BY
ROBERT OTTIWELL GIFFORD-BENNET, M.D.,
_Senior Acting Physician to the Devonshire Hospital and_
_Buxton Bath Charity_.
* * * * *
JOHN HEYWOOD,
DEANSGATE AND RIDGEFIELD, MANCHESTER;
2, AMEN CORNER, LONDON, E.C.
PREFACE.
Knowing from long experience the powerful action exerted upon the human
system by the Buxton Medicinal Thermal Water, and the unsatisfactory
results arising from its indiscriminate and incautious use, either in the
form of baths or by taking it internally, I have in the following pages,
as briefly and succinctly as possible, endeavoured to make some practical
suggestions for the guidance of those of my professional brethren who
have had no opportunity of becoming personally acquainted with the Buxton
Spa, with the hope that they may prove of service.
R. O. G. B.
Tankerville House,
Buxton, May, 1892.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
PAGE
Situation--Altitude--Geology--Roman Baths--Climate and 9
Temperature--Death Rate--Water Supply--Rainfall
Drainage--Railway Communication--Public
Buildings--Devonshire Hospital and Buxton Bath
Charity--Visitors' Accommodation--Antiquarian
CHAPTER II.
THE MEDICINAL WATERS AND THEIR ACTION.
Physiological Functions in Healthy 22
Individuals--Performance of the Physiological Functions in
Health and Disease--Action of Oxygen upon the Nitrogenous
and Non-nitrogenous Compounds--Origin of Calculi,
Nodosities, and Tophi--Action of the Thermal Water upon
the Great Emunctories--Chalybeate Water when Used as a
Douche, or Taken Internally--Analyses of the
Waters--Selection of Buxton by the Romans--First Treatise
upon the Buxton Spa, written by Dr. Jones in 1572--Source
and Nature of the Waters
CHAPTER III.
THE BATHS AND MODE OF APPLICATION.
Kinds of Baths--Natural and Hot--Action of Thermal Water 31
upon the Skin--Natural Baths--Swimming and Plunge for
Males and Females--Necessity of Caution in their
Use--Importance of Time and Frequency in Taking the
Baths--Directions During and After Bathing--Most
Favourable Time for Taking Warm or Hot Baths--Directions
for the Use of Half, Three-quarters, and Full
Baths--Drowsiness after Bathing--Massage, When and How
Used--When Baths Inadmissible--Hours for Drinking the
Medicinal Waters--Diseases in which the Thermal Water
should Not be Drunk
CHAPTER IV.
DISEASES IN WHICH THE WATERS ARE USEFUL.
Acute Gout and Rheumatism--Chronic Gout and 41
Rheumatism--Chorea--Many Forms of Paralysis--Muscular
Atrophy consequent upon the Gouty Diathesis--Loco Motor
Ataxia--Syphilis--Local Injuries--Neuralgia--Sciatica,
Lumbago, &c.--Number of Baths Constituting a
Course--Length of Residence Required--Action of Water upon
Acute and Chronic Diseases--Extract from Devonshire
Hospital Report--Inference
CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
Situation--Altitude--Geology--Roman Baths--Climate and Temperature--Death
Rate--Water-Supply--Rainfall--Drainage--Railway Communication--Public
Buildings--Devonshire Hospital and Buxton Bath Charity--Visitors'
Accommodation--Antiquarian.
The ancient town of Buxton, which is situated upon the extreme western
boundary of the county of Derby, at an elevation of 1,000ft. above the
sea level, lies in a deep basin, having a subsoil of limestone and
millstone grit, and is environed on every side by some of the most
romantic and picturesque scenery in the High Peak, hill rising above hill
in wild confusion, some attaining an altitude of from 1,900ft. to
2,000ft.
Buxton, or, as originally called, Bawkestanes, was occupied as a military
station by the Romans, who, during their occupancy, constructed baths
over the tepid water springs which issue through fissures in the
limestone rock, where it comes in contact with the millstone grit, as was
proved beyond doubt by the finding of Roman tiles (used in the
construction of their baths) some years ago, when the present baths were
under repair.
Although Buxton is situated at so great an altitude, the mean temperature
for years past (owing, no doubt, in a great measure, to the taste
displayed and forethought shown by the late Mr. Heacock, agent for many
years to his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, in causing the surrounding
hills to be well planted) has averaged about 44 degrees Fahr., only a few
degrees below that of some of the most frequented winter resorts in Great
Britain. Such a temperature, however, may appear to some to militate
against Buxton as a health resort except during the summer months, but it
must be borne in mind that although the temperature may be said to be
somewhat low (a necessity of its altitude), yet the atmosphere is
especially pure and dry, and, like that of Davos Platz, plays no
inconsiderable part in conducing to the highly-sanitary condition of the
neighbourhood.
The healthiness of the Buxton district is borne out by the fact that the
death-rate from zymotic disease is lower than that of most other
localities in Great Britain, and that the average annual death-rate from
all forms of disease is only (among the resident population) 10 in 1,000.
The air being so pure and dry exerts a most bracing and tonic effect,
especially in cases where the system has become debilitated from any
cause--anaemia, chlorosis, chronic liver and splenic disease, many forms
of bronchial asthma, the first stage of tuberculosis of the lungs, and
tubercular degeneration of the mesenteric glands in childhood, I have
seen much benefitted by a short residence in the district. To the
closely-confined and overworked residents in towns the crispness and
buoyancy of the atmosphere impart a feeling of lightness and exhilaration
rarely experienced except in a highland district, making mental and
physical labour less irksome and life more enjoyable.
The water supply of Buxton is abundant, soft, and free from impurities,
doubtless owing to its percolating through the great filter bed of
sandstone to the north of the town, and issues in numerous springs far
above any source of contamination from the inhabitants in the valley
below.
It has been stated (and I think much to the prejudice of Buxton) that the
rainfall of the High Peak, and especially of the Buxton district, is
generally in excess of that of most of the other parts of Great Britain.
Such an assertion is quite incorrect, as may be ascertained by a careful
examination of the rainfall of other localities; although, as in all
hilly districts, we must, on account of the attraction of the hills,
expect a somewhat larger rainfall than on the plains. The annual average
fall in the neighbourhood of Buxton amounts to about forty-nine inches,
which is much less than that of many localities both in the Northern and
Midland Counties. Even when there is an exceptionally heavy fall of rain
the porous nature of the subsoil precludes the possibility of an
accumulation of surface water to any great extent.
The following table shows the mean temperature and rainfall for 1890 and
1891, two years in which we have experienced a lower temperature and a
greater rainfall than for some years past, which, I believe, has been the
experience of most other parts of Britain during the same period:--
Mean Temperature. Rainfall.
1890. 1891. 1890. 1891.
Deg. Deg. inch. inch.
January 37.6 31.7 6.91 4.58
February 33.1 38.9 .945 .68
March 40.0 36.0 4.995 3.895
April 41.1 38.9 1.635 3.40
May 50.2 45.8 3.21 4.935
June 52.4 53.3 4.685 2.878
July 54.7 56.3 4.78 2.52
August 55.2 55.0 6.05 6.45
September 56.0 54.4 1.405 3.505
October 47.2 46.0 4.20 6.595
November 40.0 38.8 9.455 4.535
December 27.8 37.8 1.3 8.745
Mean temperature for 1890 = 44.6 degrees; mean temperature for 1891 =
44.4 degrees.
Rainfall for 1890 = 49.77in.; rainfall for 1891 = 52.718in.
Buxton being built in a valley inclining to the east, and upon the slopes
of the adjoining hills to the south, west, and north, necessitates the
convergence of its system of drainage into a main sewer, which is carried
through the heart of the town to its outskirts, where the contents are
discharged into tanks, and purified by a chemical process submitted to
the town authorities by Dr. Thresh.
The natural incline upon which the town is built greatly facilitated the
sewerage arrangements so ably planned and successfully carried out by the
late Sir Robert Rawlinson.
Two lines of railway, the London and North-Western and Midland, whose
stations are situated adjoining each other to the east end of the town,
and between Buxton and Fairfield, afford every facility of communication
with all parts of Great Britain and Ireland. The station of the East to
West Railway now in process of formation will be in Higher Buxton, and
will doubtless prove of much convenience to residents in that
neighbourhood.
Visitors to Buxton, of all classes, will find ample and suitable
accommodation in the numerous hotels, hydros, boarding-houses, and
private apartments.
The Buxton Gardens' Company's Pavilion, Music Hall, and Theatre (where
during the season the first artistes are engaged), lawn tennis, skating
rink, golf, cricket, and football clubs, fishing, shooting, and hunting,
provide varied amusements for all tastes.
Mail coaches and charabancs run daily (Sundays excepted) to either
Bakewell, Haddon, Chatsworth, Matlock, Castleton, or Dove Dale, during
the season. Private conveyances, riding and driving horses, are
procurable by those wishing to visit the numerous places of interest in
the neighbourhood or ride to hounds.
Buxton possesses some very handsome public and private buildings. The
Crescent, perhaps one of the finest structures of its kind in Europe, has
a frontage of 400ft. and a height of nearly 70ft., and is massive and
bold in design. Above it is surmounted by an open battlement, which runs
the whole of its length. In its centre the Devonshire coat of arms
stands out in bold relief. Along the base of the building a wide open
colonnade extends from one end to the other, and is a great convenience
in going to and from the Baths and drinking fountain in wet weather, or
as a promenade. It was originally intended for one hotel, but is now
divided into two. In front is an open semicircular space, extending to
the foot of St. Ann's Cliff, an extensive piece of ground, tastefully
laid out in terraces and public walks, some of which lead from terrace to
terrace to the public drinking fountain at the base of the slope, and
others to the plateau above, upon which stands the Town Hall, a handsome
and substantially-built structure, recently erected, containing public
and private offices, magisterial and assembly rooms, museum, free
library, reading-room, &c.
The Devonshire Hospital is a large octagonal building surmounted by a
lofty dome, and is situated at the foot of Corbar Hill, being a
conspicuous object from all parts of the town. It was originally built
for stabling in connection with the Crescent Hotel. Some years since the
committee of the Buxton Bath Charity, being desirous of providing better
accommodation for those seeking its aid, succeeded, mainly through the
exertions of the late Mr. Wilmot, agent to his Grace the Duke of
Devonshire, in obtaining the duke's sanction to its conversion to its
present use.
The structural alterations necessitated an outlay of between 30,000 and
40,000 pounds, towards which the committee of the Lancashire Cotton Fund
contributed 24,000, in consideration of a first claim to the occupancy of
150 beds, the entire hospital accommodation being 300 beds.
The dome covers an area of nearly half an acre, and is said to be one of
the largest in the world. Under its vast expanse between 5,000 and 6,000
people can assemble without overcrowding. A perfect echo, like that in
the Baptistry at Pisa, is heard slightly away from beneath its centre.
The hospital is open to the inspection of visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
at a small charge, which is appropriated for the purpose of purchasing
books for the library, a great boon to the crippled patients.
The Palace Hotel, a large and imposing building, stands within its own
grounds, beautifully situated and laid out, close to the London and
North-Western and Midland Railway stations. Being elevated considerably
above the town, a panoramic view of Higher and Lower Buxton, St. Ann's
Cliff, Broad Walk, the Crescent, and Buxton Gardens is obtained from its
windows, and in the distance Axe Edge, 1,950ft., Harpur Hill, Diamond
Hill (so-called from the Derbyshire diamond being found there), Solomon's
Temple, and Hindlow are in full view.
There are many other buildings worthy of notice, amongst which I may
mention the churches of St. John and St. James, Pavilion Music Hall,
Theatre, Union Club, the Buxton, Peak, and Haddon Grove Hydropathic
Establishments. As the town is rapidly extending, many very pretty
villas have recently sprung up in the park and neighbourhood, from whence
are obtained the finest views of Buxton and the surrounding hills.
Buxton is well supplied with places of public worship, St. John's, St.
James's, St. Anne's, and Trinity, belonging to the Church of England;
Hardwick Street Chapel, Congregationalists; the Park and Market Place
Chapels, Wesleyan Methodists; London Road Chapel, Primitive Methodists;
St. Ann's Chapel, Terrace Road, Roman Catholic; and Harrington Road
Chapel, Unitarian. The Presbyterians hold services every Sunday (during
the season) in the Town Hall, morning and evening.
The staple industry of Buxton and the neighbourhood consists in the
burning of limestone, and the manufacture of inlaid marble vases, tables,
&c, some of which are tastefully designed, and form very elegant and
beautiful ornamental decorations for the drawing-room, &c.
The naturalist, the botanist, and the geologist will find Nature's
hand-book, spread wide open over the hills and dales of the Peak, for
their inspection. The archaeologist and the antiquarian may wander to
the top of Cowlow, Ladylow, Hindlow, Hucklow, or Grindlow, and picture in
imagination the savage and warlike aborigines of the High Peak, wending
their way up the precipitous sides of the hill, carrying their dead
chieftain to his last resting-place on the mountain summit, where,
placing him in a cyst, made of rough unhewn stones, they cover him up
with earth, leaving his spirit to find its way to the happy
hunting-grounds of the unseen; or watch the wild and barbarous rites
performed by the Druidical priest within the precincts of Arbor Low
Circle; or contemplate the savage hordes of Danes, as they lie encamped
on the slopes of Priestcliff; or follow the footsteps of a hardy cohort
of Rome's picked soldiers, as it moves with steady precision through the
High Peak Forest, and ascends the rugged side of Coomb's Moss, to pitch a
camp on the spur of Castle Naze.
The antiquarian may take his stand upon Mam-Tor, the mother rock, when
the moon sheds her silvery light o'er Loosehill Mount, and, carrying his
mind back into the past some 230 years, hear the bugle's note as it
sweeps through the Wynnats Pass, and is taken up by the Peverel Castle
and transmitted onwards through the Vale of Hope, calling the hardy
dalesmen to their midnight rendezvous, there to be instructed in the
science of war, so as to enable them to protect their homes and families
against the marauding myrmidons of a cruel, heartless, and unreliable
king; or if the antiquarian seeketh a knowledge of the High Peak
folk-lore, and feareth neither pixie or graymarie, he can, on a spring
night, just as the moon has entered her last quarter, and the first note
from the belfry of the chapel in the frith has proclaimed the arrival of
midnight, take his stand upon Blentford's Bluff and peer into the dark
and sombre depths of Kinder, when he will hear the hooting of the barn
owl on Anna rocks, the unearthly screech of the landrail as he ploughs
his way through the unmown grass in search of his mate, the scream of the
curlew and chatter of the red grouse as they take their flight from peak
to peak, and see the fairy queen come forth from the mermaid's cave in a
shimmering light, followed by her maids, who dance a quadrille to the
music of the spheres, and hear the wild blast of the hunter's horn
heralding the approach of the Gabriel hounds as they take their rapid
course across the murky sky, and become lost in the unfathomable depths
beyond the Scout.