An experimental enquiry into the chemical properties and medicinal qualities of the principal mineral waters of Ballston and Saratoga, in the state of New-York. With directions for the use of those waters in the various diseases to which they are applicable; and observations on diet and regimen. To which is added an appendix, containing a chemical analysis of the Lebanon spring in the state of New-York ..

Front matter

.. .

'Stffift?

**

CHAPTER II. Chemical Analysis of Lowe's Well - - 23

Temperature and specific gravity 24

Sensible qualities of the water - - - - 25

Examination by tests or reagents 27

Examination of the gaseous contents - - - 39

of the substances held in solution by

carbonic acid gas ----- . 43

Examination of the solid contents by evaporation - 47

Result of the Analysis of Lowe's Well 56

Chemical Analysis of the Public Well at Ballston ........ 57

Sensible qualities and specific gravity - - 58

Examination of the solid contents by evaporation - 59

Result of the Analysis of the Public Well - - 62 viii Contents.

Page Chemical Analysis of the Congress Spring, Saratoga --------64

External character, temperature, and specific gravity 65 Examination of Congress water by tests or reagents 66 Conclusions to be drawn from the effect of tests 71

Experiments to ascertain its gaseous contents - 72 Examination of its solid contents by evaporation 74 Result of the analysis - - - - - 81

Chemical Analysis of the Flat Rock Spring, Saratoga -'- - - - - - -82

External qualities, temperature, and specific gravity 82

Effects of tests or reagents 83

Quantity of carbonic acid gas - - - - 85

Examination of its solid contents by evaporation 86

Result of the analysis, with observations - - 89

CHAPTER III. General observations on the composition of Mineral Watf.rs ----.. 9i

Remarks on the incorrectness of a late analysis - 92

Comparison between those waters and such as resemble them in Europe 99

Remarks on the inefficacy of such salts as are obtained from mineral waters by evaporation and crystallization - - - - - 104

Synoptical Table, exhibiting the contents of the waters of Ballston and Saratoga, compared with others which they resemble - 107

CHAPTER IV. Observations on the Medicinal Qualities of the

Waters of Ballston and Saratoga - - 109 Principal qualities which they possess - - 111

Contents. ix

Page Th^eir use in bilious diseases - - - - 119 111 effects of the inordinate use of them - - 121 Directions for the proper use of them - - 125

Observations on diet and regimen - - - 130

— — on their use in dyspepsia - - 1 34

■ on their use in certain diseases which

have any resemblance to dyspepsia - - 138

Observations on the use of these waters in scrophula 142 — — — — ^— on their use in diseases of females 144

in hemorrhoidal complaints - - - 147 in worms - - 148

in cutaneous complaints] with observations on warm bathing - - - 1 S 1 Observations on their use in complaints of the kidneys -------- 158

Observations on the injurious or doubtful qualities of these waters in certain diseases - - - 1 60 in apoplexy - _ - - 161

in epilepsy - - - - 162

in phthisis pulmonalis - - 16 in hooping cough - - - 163 in atonic gout - - - 163 in rheumatism - - - 165

in dropsy - - - - 165

in diarrhoea and dysentery - 1 66 Conclusion - -----167

SECTION VI. Observations on the external and internal use of the waters

Of the doubtful effect of such waters in phthisis 188 Of the use of thermal waters in dyspepsia and gout 190 On the use of Lebanon water as a bath - - 1 9 1 On the advantage to be derived from it as such in certain cases of gout, rheumatism, chorea and herpes - ...... 194

Preface

THE reputation which the waters of Ballston and Saratoga have so deservedly acquired, render them a subject of so much interest to the public, that it is to be presumed an Enquiry into their Chemical and Medicinal Qualities, will not be unacceptable.

No person can seriously doubt that a perfect knowledge of the chemical properties of a mineral water is essential to the Physician who ventures to prescribe it. There is, perhaps, no country which abounds more with useful mineral waters than America; nor are there any which are less known, or whose real qualities have been so little attended to. The physician who is engaged in extensive practice, has no leisure for such an enquiry; and so few and inaccurate are the publications on this subject, that he knows not where to seek for information on so important a branch of his profession.

It has been frequently suggested to me that an accurate analysis of the principal mineral waters of this country would be highly interesting as well to the philosopher as to the physician. In compliance, xii Preface.

therefore, with the wishes of those whose partiality has thought me qualified for the task, I have commenced this undertaking by giving an analysis of the principal waters of Ballston and Saratoga. A residence of some months at those places has enabled me so to vary and repeat my experiments, that I can venture to rely on the accuracy of the statements.

For the faithfulness with which they have been performed, and the zeal with which I have prosecuted this undertaking, I can also presume to appeal to the knowledge of many gentlemen of science and learning who were visiters there at the time, and who were witnesses to the result of the investigation.

Having no other wish than to give an accurate analysis, and feeling no interest whatsoever in the comparative qualities of any one particular spring, I hope that I am the last person to be suspected either of prejudice or partiality. Such as each of them really appeared to me by experiment, so have I described them.

Before commencing the analysis of those waters, it was necessary to give some account of their natural history and topographical situation. In doing so, the mineralogy of the surrounding country has not escaped my attention as a very important branch of the subject.

For the first part of this description, having no other means to acquire information, I feel myself principally indebted to those local histories of the

Preface. xiii

state which are in the hands of many persons in this country. But for the second part, I confess I should have felt myself much at a loss, had I not availed myself of that general knowledge of mineralogy which I had been enabled to acquire as one df my most favourite studies and pursuits.

The observations, therefore, which will be found on this head, both mineralogical and geological, are drawn from an inspection of every part of the surrounding country, and from such valuable information as I could derive from the geological map of Mr. M'Clure, the only authority which I had to rely upon.

Without the aid of mineralogy, the chemical analysis alone of a mineral water would render our enquiry imperfect and unsatisfactory; in treating this subject, therefore, scientifically, I have frequently been obliged to make use of technical expressions which are not familiar to the generality of readers; for this I must claim some indulgence, hoping at the same time that, in the course of this work, useful information may be found in it by all classes of readers.

It is not within the province of a chemical writer alone, to speak of the medicinal qualities of a mineral water; but as I conceive that this work would be less extensively useful if I confined it to a mere chemical description, I have been induced as a physician to dwell at some length on the medicinal properties of these waters, the use and abuse of them.

xiv Preface.

The observations which I have made on this branch of the subject are the result of extensive experience at those watering places in Europe which have any resemblance to these, and are most esteemed.

Differing as I do in many points with the generality of those who make use of the waters of Ballston or Saratoga, I cannot flatter myself that all my opinions will be adopted even by the profession. But I still hope that some of my suggestions may be practically useful, and that they may be received with liberality and candour.

For the views of the villages of Ballston and Saratoga, taken on the spot, which accompanies this work, I feel myself indebted to the pencil of M. Lesueur, whose talents as a naturalist and a draftsman, are too well known both here and in Europe to require any eulogium of mine.

While in the neighbourhood of Lebanon in the state of New- York, I embraced that opportunity of examining the Thermal Spring which is situated there and is much frequented by invalids. I have therefore added as an appendix, the chemical analysis of this water, which I hope will not be found uninteresting, as affording a very remarkable contrast to any of the waters either of Ballston or Saratoga, having scarcely any one quality in common with them; and exhibiting, at the same time, some curious and interesting chemical facts; to which I have also added a few practical observations on the virtue of this water, both externally and internally.

Preface. xv

The result of this experimental enquiry I now submit to the public, conscious that I have engaged in one of the most difficult investigations in chemistry. If it should be found in any degree useful, or if it should lead others to pursue so interesting a subject, I shall consider the time and labour which I have bestowed on it, as not misapplied.

a

h

S z

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

OF THE

PRINCIPAL WATEBS

OF

BALLSTON AND SARATOGA.

Chapter I

Description of Ballston and Saratoga— the situation and number of the Springs; with Observations connected with the Mineralogy and Geology of its vicinity, and the surrounding country.

THE village of Ballston, in which the springs are situated, lies in the county of Saratoga in the state of New York, about two hundred miles north of that city, and about twelve miles west from the Hudson or North river. It is situated in a deep valley, through which passes a branch of the Kaydarosoras river. It is surrounded by a range of undulating hills, which form a species of amphitheatre, and from which a most agreeable view of the town is presented.

The soil in the neighbourhood is poor and sandy, A covered with oak, pine, and hemlock, except in the vicinity of the town, where even the sand hills, which surround it, are almost cleared of their wood, which greatly impairs the effect of the scenery.

Within seven miles of Ballston is situated the village of Saratoga. The road from Ballston to it is chiefly over a sandy pine plane, and the face of the country around is on the whole wild and barren, except in the valleys, where the soil is more fertile and well cultivated. A range of hills or mountains run to the westward exhibiting the appearance of one vast forest, which when viewed from the heights that surround the village, present a very striking and picturesque scenery.

Before I speak particularly of the rocks in the neighbourhood of Ballston, it may not be uninteresting to trace the strata from the mouth of the Hudson or North River.

Commencing at the west side of this river near Princeton in New-Jersey, we observe the first appearance of the red sandstone, which, according to some geologists, first succeeds the transition rocks. Here commence rocks of secondary formation reposing upon the sandstone. Passing through Newark towards the North River, the beds of sandstone are very apparent. Proceeding in a westerly course towards the Pasaaic, a range of hills commences which are formed of secondary rocks still resting on the sandstone, till arriving at the falls of the Pasaaic, those rocks assume a perfect secondary character,

Description of Balhton and Saratoga. 8

which is well observed at the falls where the strata is very much broken; the rocks in this place exhibit masses of trap alternating with secondary green stone, clink stone, wacke, and amygdaloid. This formation stretches to the North River, and in its course as far only as Tappan, where it terminates, and the primitive rock appears. This primitive formation is a continuation of that immense chain of primitive mountains which prevail and extend through the eastern states, and which crosses the North River between Tappan and Newburgh, running under the secondary and transition rocks at those places and taking a westerly direction.

At Newburgh on the North River the primitive is lost, and a transition country presents itself, which can be traced along the banks of that river for near one hundred miles, forming a range of hills which in many places consist of trap rocks assuming a columnar structure. Those rocks of trap, alternate with greenstone, whinstone, argillaceous schist, and grey wacce slate, till passing through Albany we arrive at the Mohawk, where the same transition rocks are again observed with little variation, particularly at the Cohos falls, where from the violence of the cataract the irruption of the rock is considerable: the transition rock is still observed at both sides of this river, but soon after a range of sandhills commence, and all traces of the strata are lost for several miles; till after having passed over those hills which extend to the distance of twenty miles, and proceeding in a westerly course from the Hudson river, we arrive in the neighbourhood of Ballston. Here the flcetz or horizontal formation is first observed, and continues to prevail through a great extent of country, taking in the whole of Ballston and Saratoga, extending to the westward to the borders of lake Ontario and lake Erie, and terminating with an extensive range of mountains to the north-west at the distance of about thirty miles. Proceeding to the north towards lake George the secondary ends, and the primitive format tion commences and continues to prevail, constituting the whole range of hills which run at the west side both of lake George and lake Champlain, while the east side of those lakes are transition.

But as the nature of the rocks which are in the immediate vicinity of Ballston and Saratoga require more particular notice, I shall confine myself on this occasion principally to their description.

The ground is principally composed of two or three species of rocks of secondary formation, but these are so covered with immense beds of sand, that it is difficult to ascertain this formation, and it can only be done by an attentive examination of the rivulets which in some places have laid bare the strata.

The surface of the ground both at Ballston and Saratoga is covered with large insulated masses of stone, commonly called boulders, consisting of large blocks of quartz and rolled masses of other primitive rocks. These scattered blocks must have been transmitted from the neighbouring mountains, as they are not attached to the rocks in situ, and have no connexion with them; they are found in every country and only prove the action of an extensive flood of water. We are not therefore to consider them as comprising any part of the rocks of this place, as has been the case with those who have inattentively examined its mineralogy; in this way only can I account for the statement which has been given by Professor Griscom, when he says, that "at Saratoga are many rocks in hardness approaching to porphyry, nor are calcarious or magnesian stones found in the neighbourhood of the springs."* This assertion is certainly a mistake, as the whole of the rocks in the neighbourhood are principally calcarious, nor can either granite or porphyry be observed in any direction, except in these insulated masses which are extensively scattered over this part of the country.

In the centre of the village of Ballston an excellent opportunity is offered of examining the situation of the strata. A small rivulet runs through it, which has laid bare an entire range of flcetz or horizontal rocks, consisting of what may be called a calcarioargillaceous schist or shale. This schist is nearly of a black colour, and from its staining the fingers would appear to contain a portion of carbon; it effervesces slightly with acids, which shows that it also contains carbonat of lime; it breaks easily into

laminje of any thickness, and impressions of vegetables, chiefly of a species of grass, can be observed between the laminas; but when large masses arc exposed for any length of time to the atmosphere, it rapidly shivers, or decomposes; and at this time assumes a trapezoidal form, having a tendency to break into spherical masses or columns of a prismatic shape, which are principally either hexagonal or pentagonal. Specimens of this schist I have deposited in the cabinet of the Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, where this change of fracture which is singular can be noticed, such as is frequently observed by the sudden congelation or drying of large parcels of starch.

Alternating with this schist and near the same place, wherever the beds of sand will admit an inspection of the rock, solid masses of calcarious rocks are observed, particularly within three miles of Ballston, where a mill site has been erected, and where the floetz or horizontal formation of the rock is most beautifully illustrated. This limestone is nearly of a black colour, its fracture is slaty, it abounds with shells of various forms, some of which are so very apparent in their structure and form as not to be mistaken; they principally consist of bivalves, maddrapori, terebratulites, corrolites, and echinites, so extremely similar in many respects to fossils which I have in my possession from Mendip in England, that it is difficult to distinguish the specimens from each other. This stone when rubbed emits an urinous smell similar to the stink stone of Werner; it burns also into lime, when it loses its colour. On the whole, I think that this may be called the third or newest fioetz lime stone of geologists.

When we arrive at Saratoga the same species of rock presents itself, and is so apparent, particularly in the neighbourhood of the springs, that it is only surprising how it should have escaped the notice of the most superficial observer. But there is some variety here in the formation of the rocks; the shells are not so abundant in it, and the greater proportion of the rock is traversed with seams of flint or chert which is found embedded in it, sometimes in the form of veins, but principally in nodules or rolled pieces, so intimately mixed with the limestone, that they appear to run into each other, having no simple line of division between the calcarious and siliceous parts; the former being penetrated with particles of the latter, which is a much more remarkable fact than finding seams or nodules of siliceous matter in a stratum that is purely calcarious, and would seem to strengthen the opinion of those who conceive that lime and flint are convertible into each other by natural processes.

Specimens of this peculiar rock I have also deposited in the cabinet of the Philosophical Society, as it is only by collecting and observing such facts, that we can ever arrive at any correct geological know* ledge.

Besides these rocks which I have attempted to describe and which characterize a secondary country, it is necessary to state that those undulating hills which surround the village of Ballston, and which continue to prevail in the village of Saratoga, are formed principally of immense beds of fine siliceous sand, as may be particularly observed in the rear of Alldridge's boarding-house, where the height of one of those hills, which is very precipitous, cannot be less than 150 feet; under this sand lies immense beds of stiff blue clay, which hardens when left for any time exposed to the atmosphere; it effervesces slightly but does not dissolve in acids, from which I should rather call it an argillaceous marie; it appears with some probability to have been formed by the decomposition of the schist in the neighbourhood; it is to be found by digging in the valleys in any direction, and it can be well observed on the side of a declivity near Lowe's Well, where a considerable saline efflorescence can be seen on its surface, particularly after rain, owing to the chrystallization of the salt which is produced by the sun's rays. This is a very interesting fact, and as exactly such a peculiar species of clay is found to prevail in the soil from which the waters of Cheltenham arise, it may tend in some degree to explain from whence waters of this description receive their saline impregnation. Indeed every circumstance connected with the geology of this part of the country indicates something of an alluvial deposition, and can leave no doubt in our mind of the very great influence which an extensive deluge has had in its formation.

No metallic veins of ore have been discovered in this neighbourhood in any direction, nor indeed were they to be expected, as the strata which I have described is never accompanied with any valuable minerals, and except iron, which is found in all the low grounds in the state of an argillaceous or bog iron ore, I know of no other metallic deposit.

Many circumstances induce me to suspect that coal may be found in this neighbourhood, though as yet no trace of it has been discovered on the surface of the ground; yet as it is usually found in the same formation and almost always accompanies that peculiar species of shale which is observed here, it is not improbable but this may be found the seat of an extensive coal deposit.

Having thus given a sketch of the mineral strata which exist in the vicinity of Ballston and Saratoga, and of the surrounding country, I cannot here help noticing the term JVew World, which is frequently applied to this continent, as if there was something in its formation and origin which was of later date than that of Europe.

The observations, however, of every traveller would refute this opinion, and place the origin and structure of this part of the world much anterior to the greater part of Europe. Had Linnaeus visited this country and examined its vast and beautiful variety of plants, some of which now adorn the gardens and

B shrubberies of modern Europe, he would not have called this a New World. Had Werner, when forming his theory of the earth, visited the rocks of this country, its great mountain ranges, where almost all is primitive and on a stupendous scale, and had he compared these with such as he had previously seen, he would not be inclined to call this a New World. Had Cuvier, after examining the organic remains of the vicinity of Paris, visited and explored the banks of the Mississippi and Ohio, and traced there the remains of the most gigantic animals of the creation, he would have hesitated before he pronounced this a New World. If, however, by new world is meant nothing more than that many of its productions are new to the European; that the institutions of the inhabitants are new; and that the state of the arts and sciences are comparatively new, then I confess there is no great misapplication of the term.

I now come to give a more particular history of the situation of the springs which are found at Ballston and Saratoga.

It is usual to commence with giving some account of the circumstances attending the first discovery of any particular mineral water. On this subject, however, in a part of the country which has scarcely been settled a century, it is difficult to obtain any accurate information; from which cause we cannot even have any very remote tradition. But if we cannot trace the use of these waters to so early a period as the eleventh century, as has been the case with respect to the waters of Pyrmont; or if we cannot show that the Emperor Charlemagne enjoyed the benefit of them in the same manner as he is said to have done at those of Aix la Chapelle, still we may venture to presume that the native princes, or chiefs, of this country, were not unacquainted with their qualities, and partook of the use of them at full as early a period; indeed every enquiry seems to confirm the opinion which the present inhabitants entertain, that those mineral waters were first pointed out to their ancestors by the original inhabitants of the country; nor is this by any means improbable when we reflect that those people who draw all their remedies from the obvious qualities of those plants which nature presented to them, if furnished with no other criterion but taste, could scarcely overlook the striking effect which was produced by the use of a water which differed so much from that which they were generally accustomed to drink. Its qualities therefore must have early attracted their notice, and thus it is not difficult to understand from what source the first European settlers derived their information: however this may be, the qualities of these waters were early known to the present inhabitants, and it appears were used medicinally by them, with uncommon success, till by degrees their reputation increasing, persons resorted from a distance to this place for the use of the waters, and thus villages sprung up in situations which had nothing particular to recommend them but the advantages which they derived from springs possessing such powerful medicinal qualities.

At this period there are few places in any country where the invalid, or the man of leisure, can be more agreeably accommodated than at Ballston and Saratoga. In this, certainly Ballston first took the lead, principally owing to the spirited exertions of a wealthy proprietor, who has spared no expense in erecting a building at once spacious and commodious; and this, with several other hotels equally respectable, has established Ballston as a watering place of the most fashionable resort in the United States.

While Ballston was thus increasing in reputation, the springs of Saratoga were rising fast into notice. Their numbers and variety could not escape attention; and it was soon perceived that one of them in particular, called the Congress Spring, possessed superior strength to any of those at Ballston; and that in many instances it was found to exhibit powerful medicinal qualities. Visiters, therefore, to Saratoga, yearly increased; and the erection of handsome buildings for their accommodation was the natural consequence; so that it is now difficult to say which of those places afford the most comfort and convenience to those who frequent them. That nothing should be wanting at either of those places, warm baths are provided for the benefit of those who require them, the use and abuses of which, as well as of the waters themselves, I shall hereafter discuss.

At such places as these, there is but one method of living, to which all persons must submit; it has, however, this advantage, that it contributes to social intercourse and amusement, but seldom to dissipation. At all those public tables which afford accommodation to the company, the utmost regularity and order is observed; regular hours, wholesome and excellent provisions, attended with a proper degree of abstemiousness and sobriety, contribute to restore the health, and to assist the medicinal qualities of the waters.

The season of the year which is judiciously selected for the use of these waters, is the summer months, at which time some of the large cities are deserted by many of their inhabitants from the supposed insalubrity of the air in them; thus adopting the advice of a favourite poet, who describes such places in the following lines:

Ye who amid the fev'rish world would wear

A body free of pain, of cares a mind;

Fly the rank city, shun its turbid air;

Breathe not the chaos of eternal smoke

And volatile corruption, from the dead,

The dying, sick'ning, and the living world

With dim mortality.

While yet you breathe, away; the rural wilds

Invite; the mountains call you, and the vales;

The woods, the streams, and each ambrosial breeze

That fans the ever undulating sky.

Armstrong on Health.

Great benefit is found by this change, as the climate is much cooler in summer at Ballston and Saratoga, than in the neighbourhood of any of the large cities. The thermometer seldom rises so high, and the nights are always cool and comfortable. On the whole, the country around it is perfectly healthy except in the vicinity of some of the lakes, where late in the autumn occasional intermittents are found prevalent, but this was the case more frequently formerly than at present, and will continue to decrease as the woods are cut down and the land becomes drained. On the whole, so few instances of these intermittents have come under my observation, that I consider them as very rare indeed, and no cause of alarm to the visiters either at Ballston or Saratoga, as from their situation and the nature of the soil in their vicinity, which is dry and sandy, nothing of the kind can be apprehended in those places.

There are only two springs in general use at Ballston; one of them (that which was first discovered) is situated in the centre of the town, and is called the Public Well, having been reserved for the benevolent purpose of serving the public by Sir William Johnson, in the original grant of the land to private individuals. This spring issues from a bed of stiff blue clay and gravel which lies near a stratum of schist or shale, nearly on a level with the brook or rivulet which runs through the town, the course of which rivulet has been changed by a dyke or canal, in order to divert it from the source of the springs.

The ground rises with a gentle acclivity to the north of the Spring, forming one of those sand hills which have been already described.

The Well is five or six feet deep, and the water rises up in such abundance, that it would be difficult to ascertain the quantity which it pours out in a given period of time. Immense quantities of gas in the form of air bubbles, break with a sort of explosion on the surface; and whenever the water continues at rest for any time exposed to the atmosphere, a slight irridescent pellicle appears on its surface.