Mineral springs of North America; how to reach, and how to use them

Front matter

MINERAL SPRINGS

NORTH AMERICA.

MINERAL SPRINGS

Chapter I. Mineral Waters In General

PAGE

Early Use of, etc. — Experience the only Guide in the Administration — Medical Efficacy — Modus Operandi, etc. — Length of Time to be Used — General Remarks on Administration 21

Chapter II

MINERAL WATERS IN GENERAL (CONTINUED). Resemblance of some Mineral Waters to Mercury — Errors and Abuse of Mineral Waters, etc. — Changing from Spring to Spring — Dress — Diet, Exercise — Best Time for Using — Length of Time to be Used, etc 35

Chapter III

USE OF MEDICINES AND DIFFERENT MINERAL WATERS. Prescribing Mineral Water — The Best Period of the Year for Invalids to Visit the Springs 50

Chapter IV. West Virginia And Virginia Springs

Routes to the West Virginia and Virginia Springs 59

Chapter V. • White Sulphur Springs

Location and General Physical Characteristics — Its Strength uniformly the same — Does not lose its Strength by parting with its Gas — Does not deposit its Salts when Quiescent— Its Gas fatal to Fish — Its Early History — Known to the Indians as a " Medi-

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PAGE cine Water" — First used by the Whites in 1778 — Progress of Improvements, and present Condition — Analyses of Mr. Hayes and Professor Rogers 62

Chapter VI

THE RELATIVE VIRTUES OF THE SALINE AND GASEOUS CONTENTS OF THE WHITE SULPHUR WATER 71

Chapter VII. General Directions For The Use Of The White Sulphur Water

Directions meant to be General, not Specific — Must not look to the Sensible Operations of the Water for its Best Effects — Moderate or Small Quantities Generally Preferable — Necessary Preparations of the System for the Use of the Water — Sensible Medicinal Effects of the Water — Effects on the Pulse — Synopsis of Rules to be Observed — Use of Baths 81

Chapter VIII

DISEASES IN WHICH THE WHITE SULPHUR WATER MAY, OR MAY NOT, BE USEFULLY PRESCRIBED.

Dyspepsia — Gastralgia — Water-Brash — Chronic Gastro-Enteritis — Diseases of the Liver— Jaundice — Enlargement of the Spleen — Chronic Irritation of the Bowels — Costiveness — Piles — Diseases of the Urinary Organs — Chronic Inflammation of the Kidneys — Diabetes — Female Diseases: Amenorrhoea, Dysmenorrhea, Chlorosis, Leucorrhcea — Chronic Affections of the Brain — Nervous Diseases — Paralysis — Some Forms of Chronic Diseases of the Chest, or Breast Complaints (to be avoided in Pulmonary Consumption) — Bronchitis — Chronic Diseases of the Skin, Psoriasis, Lepra, Ill-conditioned Ulcers — Rheumatism and Gout — Dropsies — Scrofula — Mercurial Diseases — Erysipelas — Effects in Inebriates — Effects upon the Opium-eaters — Not to be Used in Diseases of the Heart, or in Scirrhus and Cancer — Chalybeate Spring at the White Sulphur 91

Chapter IX. Salt Sulphur Springs

Location, etc. — Analysis by Professor Rogers — Medical Applicability of the Waters..... 109

CONTENTS. 15

Chapter X

. RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.

PAGE

Location — Analysis — Adaptation to Diseases, etc. — New River White Sulphur Springs ill

CHAPTER XL

SWEET SPRINGS.

Situation and Early History — Improvements — Analysis — Effects of the Waters — Adaptation of the Waters as a Beverage and as a Bath, etc 115

Chapter XVI. Rockbridge Alum Springs

Location — Analysis — Remarks on Analysis — The Name Alum a Misnomer, etc. — Therapeutic Effects of the Waters — Diseases in which they are employed — Their Excellent Effects in Scrofula 141

Jordon Rockbridge Alum Springs 146

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Chapter XXXV

NEW YORK MINERAL WATERS (CONTINUED). Improper Use of the Saratoga Waters, and its Evils — Injurious Advice and Errors of Opinion as to the Nature and Use of

Mineral Waters 229

Diseases for which the Saratoga Waters may be Prescribed — Albany Artesian Well — Reed's Mineral Spring — Halleck's Spring, etc 231

Chapter XXXVI. New York Sulphur Springs

Sharon Springs — Avon Springs — Richfield Springs 238

CONTENTS. 1 9

Chapter XXXVII. New York Sulphur And Acidulous Springs

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Clifton Springs — Chittenango Springs — Messina Sulphur Springs — Manlius Springs — Auburn Springs — Chappaqua Springs — Harrowgate Spring — Spring at Troy— Newburg Spring — Springs in Dutchess and Columbia Counties — Catskill Spring — Nanticoke Spring — Dryden Spring — Rochester Spring — Springs in Monroe County: Gates, Mendon, and Ogden — Verona Spring — Saquoit Springs — Springs in Niagara County — Seneca or Deer Lick Springs — Oak Orchard Acid Springs — Acid Spring at Clifton — Adirondack Spring 245

Chapter Xxxviii. Springs Of Pennsylvania

Bedford Springs — Gettysburg Spring — Frankfort Mineral Springs Chalybeate Spring near Pittsburg — York Springs — Carlisle Springs— Perry County Springs— Doubling Gap and Chalybeate Springs — Fayette Spring — Bath Chalybeate Spring — Blossburg Spring — Ephrata Springs — Yellow Springs — Caledonia Springs 255

Chapter XLII

MINERAL AND THERMAL WATERS BETWEEN THE MIS- SISSIPPI AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

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In California — Oregon — Kansas — New Mexico — Wyoming — Utah, etc 277

Table exhibiting the Therm alization of the Various Warm and Hot Springs of the United States and its Territories 284

Chapter XLIII. Mineral Springs Of Canada

Caledonia Springs — Charlottesville Spring — St. Catharine's Artesian Wells — Varennes Springs — St. Leon Spring — Plantagenet Spring — Caxton Spring 286

MINERAL SPRINGS

OF

NORTH AMERICA.

Chapter I. Mineral Waters Tn General

Early Use of, etc. — Experience the only Guide in the Administration — Medical Efficacy — Modus Operandi, etc. — Length of Time to be Used — General Remarks on Administration.

Mineral waters rank among the ancient remedies used for the cure of disease. The Greeks, who in knowledge of medicine were superior to the nations who had preceded them, regarded natural medicated waters as a special boon of the Deity, and piouslydedicated them to Hercules, the god of strength. They used them for drinking, and for general and topical bathing. Hippocrates was acquainted with the value and uses of various mineral waters, and many other Greek physicians, we are told, employed them for numerous diseases for which they are used at this day.

With the Romans, mineral waters were a familiar remedy, not only in Italy, but in all the countries over which that nation obtained dominion. Mineral springs were eagerly sought out in the countries over which their conquests from time to time extended, and

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prompted by " gratitude for the benefit which they experienced from their use, they decorated them with edifices, and each fount was placed under the protection of a tutelary deity." {Bell.) Pliny, in his Natural History, treats of various mineral waters and their uses ; and it is a fact worthy of remark, that they were highly recommended by various Roman physicians, in the fifth century, in the same diseases for which they are at this day so much employed, — particularly for nervous and rheumatic diseases, and for derangements of the liver, stomach, and skin.

With the modern nations of civilized Europe, mineral waters, both as internal and external remedies, have always been held in high estimation. The national regulations that have'from time to time been adopted to investigate their virtues and their appropriate applicability, and to guard against their improper use, sufficiently manifest the importance that has been attached to them as remedial agents. Henri IV., we are told, " during his youth had frequented the springs of the Pyrenees, and witnessing the abuses in the employment of so useful a remedy, sought to correct them after his accession to the throne of France. He nominated, by edicts and letters-patent, in 1603, superintendents and superintendents-general, who were charged with the entire control over the use of mineral waters, baths, and fountains of the kingdom. Most of the mineral springs and bathing establishments on the continent of Europe are placed under a somewhat similar superintendence, and a resident physician is also appointed by the government." {Bell.)

Although mineral waters had been favorite remedial agents with the enlightened nations of the earth for many centuries, it was comparatively but recently that chemistry, by minute analysis, was able to determine with precision their constituent parts.

In 1670, the mineral waters of France were first fully analyzed by a commission appointed by the Academy

EXPERIENCE THE BEST GUIDE.

of Sciences at Paris; but it was not until 1766, nearly a hundred years afterwards, that Bayen discovered the means of separating sulphur from sulphurous waters, — nor until 1774 that the celebrated Bergmann demonstrated the existence of sulphuretted hydrogen gas. Meanwhile, physicians stationed at the several watering-places were active in observing and noting the various operations of the different waters on the human system, and in determining, from experience, the various cases in which they were beneficial or injurious.

Experience the only sure Guide in the Administration, etc. — After all that science can effect in determining the component parts of mineral waters, it is experience alone in their use that can be fully relied upon as to their specific effects, or applicability to particular diseases. Chemical analysis is important mainly as a matter of general scientific knowledge, and may be so far practically useful to the physician as to enable him to form correct general views as relates to the nature and powers of the remedy; but it is fallacious to suppose that an analysis, however perfect, can ever enable the physician, in the present state of our knowledge, and in the absence of practical observation, to prescribe a mineral water with confidence or safety. An accurate knowledge of the component parts of mineral waters might do much, I admit, to prevent the incessant mistakes and mischief which medical men commit in sending their patients, hap-hazard, to drink mineral waters which are often unadapted to their cases ; but it never can, in the absence of experimental knowledge, qualify them for giving specific and detailed directions for their use. Dr. John Bell, in his valuable work on " Baths and Mineral Waters," has the following sensible and judicious passage upon this subject : " I wish not," he says, "to be ranked among the chemical physicians, who, having discovered the proportion of each foreign ingredient in the mineral spring, and

MINERAL WATERS IN GENERAL.

studied its operation on the economy, pretend to determine the general effect of the compound. We may, indeed, by a knowledge of the constituent parts, predict to a certain extent the medicinal power of the compound ; but it is only by multiplied facts, that is, experience of its use, that we can speak positively of its virtues."

In no other country, perhaps, do mineral waters abound in greater variety than in the United States; and it is a subject of sincere regret, that their nature, applicability, and proper method of administration should have been so little studied, both by physicians and the public at large. It is true that certain opinions generally prevail in enlightened circles as regards the curative powers of some of our more celebrated fountains; and these opinions, so far as they go, being generally founded on experience, may, in the main, be tolerably correct. Nevertheless, there is a lamentable want of information generally, and even among our more enlightened physicians, as to the specific nature and adaptation of mineral waters to particular diseases — information the want of which must always disqualify for the safe and confident recommendation of these valuable agents.

A perfect knowledge of the various influences and of the peculiar minute circumstances that control the use of mineral waters in different systems, as well as the best methods of using them in certain pathological conditions of the system, must, as with all other medicines, be learned from observation. Now, as physicians but rarely have an opportunity of observing the use of mineral waters for a sufficient length of time and in a sufficient variety of cases, and as but little has been written by those who have observed their effects, it ought not to be supposed that the medical public generally would be greatly enlightened on this subject.

I have said that the opinions generally prevailing in enlightened circles relative to the curative powers of

EXPERIENCE THE BEST GUIDE.

our principal mineral fountains, being founded on experience, may, in the main, be correct. I would not be understood, however, as advising a reliance upon such " popular fame." Information of this kind is sufficient to awaken attention and incite inquiry, but certainly should not be implicitly relied upon in individual cases. At best, it is generally "hearsay" opinion, made up, ordinarily, from partial and empirical sources ; or, quite as likely, from the prejudiced accounts which are brought by visitors from the different watering-places, and which are sweepingly favorable, or prejudicial, as they may chance to have been benefited or worsted, and that without reference to the specific action of the agent, or that clear understanding of the pathology of the case, which would serve as a safe guide in its application to others. Every physician knows how prone persons are to err in the use of medicines, from the supposed resemblance of cases. Often am I pained to see persons persevering in the use of a mineral water to their evident prejudice, and for no better reason than that Mr. or Mrs. Such-a-one was cured of a disease supposed to be similar ; or, by the general recommendation of some medical man who sent them to the "mountains" with a "carte blanche" to use li some of the mi?ieral waters." Occasionally it has become my painful duty to advise patients to retrace their melancholy steps homeward, without using any of the waters, because none were adapted to their case.

Mineral waters are not a -panacea; they act, like all other medicines, by producing certain effects upon the animal economy, and upon principles capable of being clearly defined. It follows, that there are various diseases and states of the system to which they are not only not adapted, but in which they would be eminently injurious.

Some years since, I was requested to visit a highlyrespectable gentleman, who had just arrived at the

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White Sulphur with his family, from one of our distant cities. He was in wretched health, and sought my advice as to the applicability of the water to his case. On examination, I felt astonished that any medical man of intelligence should have recommended such a case to mineral waters for relief. I advised the gentleman to retrace his steps homeward, and put himself under medical treatment, as he had no time to lose. Accordingly, the ensuing morning he recommenced his journey of seven hundred miles to reach his home. Medicine did for him what mineral waters were not calculated to do, and I have since heard of his entire recovery. This gentleman informed me that he had been influenced to undertake the distant and, to him, painful journey, by a physician who had never before prescribed for his case, and who candidly stated to him that he knew but little of the mineral waters of Virginia, but he had heard of many cures from their use, and therefore advised that he should hasten to give them a trial. Influenced by this vague opinion, the unfortunate invalid had dragged himself and his family seven hundred miles, under the vain hope of finding a remedy, which the physician should, in such a case, have found in his own office. Now, a little more knowledge of the nature of mineral waters, and a more commendable caution in advising their use, would have prevented the heavy sacrifice this gentleman incurred. Nor is this by any means an isolated instance ; my case-book furnishes many others equally strong, that have come under my observation in the course of my practice.

Medical Efficacy, etc. — Mineral waters are exceedingly valuable as medicinal agents, are applicable to a large circle of cases, and will, unquestionably, cure many which the ordinary remedies of the shops will not. Nevertheless, it should always be borne in mind that th«y are not a catholieon ; that they are not to be

MEDICAL EFFICACY.

used for every disease; and that, to be prescribed successfully, they must, like all other medicines, be prescribed with reference to the nature and pathology of the case. Nor is this caution ordinarily more necessary in using the various medicines of the shops than in using the more potent mineral waters.

Some there are, I know, who profess to be unbelievers in the medicinal activity of mineral waters, and who, without denying the benefit that is often derived from visiting such fountains, attribute the whole to travel, change of air, exercise, relaxation from business, etc. Now, I freely admit that these are often important agents in the cure of a large class of cases; but, from long experience at a popular watering-place, and the numerous cures I have seen effected from the water itself, totally disconnected with any of the adjuncts alluded to, it would be quite as easy to convince me that bark is not tonic, that jalap does not purge, or that mercury will not salivate, as that mineral waters may not be an active and potent means of curing disease, entirely independent of the valuable adjuvants that have been alluded to.

The advocates of the non-efficacy of mineral waters, per se, would scarcely persist in this opinion, after seeing the large amount of active medical material obtained by evaporation from some of our more active waters; the White Sulphur, for instance, which yields more than one hundred and fifty grains to the gallon, and which, upon analysis, is found to consist of iodine, sulphur% the various combinations of soda, magnesia, and other active ingredients. Would it not be absurd to believe that so large an amount of these efficient medical substances as is usually taken into the stomach, by those who drink mineral waters in which they abound, could fail to exert a positive influence upon the economy ? My own experience for many years, in the use of such waters, enables me to bear the most unequivocal testimony as to the direct and positive influence of many of them upon the human body. In the language of the celebrated Patissier, I can unhesitatingly say that, "in the general, mineral waters revive the languishing circulation, give a new direction to the vital energies, re-establish the perspiratory action of the skin, bring back to their physiological type the vitiated or suppressed secretions, provoke salutary evacuations either by urine, or stool, or by transpiration ; they bring about in the animal economy an intimate transmutation — a profound change ; they saturate the sick body. How many sick persons, abandoned by their physicians, have found health at mineral springs ! How many individuals, exhausted by violent disease, have recovered, by a journey to mineral waters, their tone, mobility, and energy, to restore which, attempts in other ways might have been made with less certitude of success !" And hence most cordially do I adopt the sentiments of the distinguished Dr. Armstrong, who, in speaking of the medicinal efficacy of mineral waters, says, il I dare pledge my word, that, if they be only fully and fairly tried, they will be found among the most powerful agents which have ever been brought to the relief of human maladies. ' '

Modus Opera?idi, etc. — Various attempts have been made to account for the peculiar effects of mineral waters upon the system. They seem to act, in the first place, as a simple hygienic agent. Secondly, they act, in accordance with their constituent ingredients, specifically on the animal economy. Mineral waters exert their more important influences upon the human body upon a different principle from many of the articles of the materia medica; they are evidently absorbed, enter into the circulation, and change the consistence as well as the composition of the fluids ; they course through the system, and apply the medical materials which they hold in solution, in the most minute form of subdivision that can be conceived of,

MODUS OPERANDI.

to the diseased surfaces and tissues ; they reach and search the most minute ramifications of the capillaries, and remove the morbid condition of those vessels, which are so commonly the primary seats of disease. It is thus that they relieve chronic disordered action, and impart natural energy and elasticity to vessels that have been distended either by inflammation or congestion ; while they communicate an energy to the muscular fibre and to the animal tissues generally, which is not witnessed from the administration of ordinary remedies.

Many of the articles of the materia medica seem to act by sympathy and counter-irritation, and to cure one organ of the body by irritating another ; thus calomel, by irritating the stomach and duodenum, is made to act efficiently upon the liver, to which organ it has a strong specific tendency. Not so, however, with mineral waters : they never cure o?ie organ by irritaii7ig another. I can with confidence assert, that I have never seen mineral waters successfully used in any case in which they kept up a considerable irritation upon any of the organs of the body.

Both physicians and patients are far too much in the habit of looking to the immediate and sensible operations of mineral waters, and of judging of their efficacy from such effects. In most cases, it is serviceable for such agents to open the bowels gently; and in some, it is best for them to purge actively. Occasionally, advantage is derived from promoting an increased flow of urine or perspiration ; but, as a general rule, the greatest good is derived from the absorption of the water, resulting in that "profound change" spoken of by Patissier, or, in other words, the alterative action of the remedy. It should always be borne in mind that this profound change — this alterative effect — is incompatible with constant or active action of the water upon any of the emunctories. This, unquestionably, is true as relates to the White Sulphur water, and I believe it to be so with all alterative waters.

MINERAL WATERS IN GENERAL.

So well convinced am I, that the alterative action is the real curative action effected by sulphur waters, in nine cases out of ten where any serious disease exists, that, ordinarily, I am not solicitous to obtain much daily increase of evacuation from any of the emunctories. On the contrary, I often find great advantage from the administration of some appropriate means to prevent the too free action of the water, especially on the bowels and kidneys. As a general rule, it is far better that such waters should lie quietly upon the system, without manifesting much excitement upon any of the organs, and producing, at most, but a small increase in the quantity of the ordinary healthy evacuations.

The quality or kind of evacuations produced by mineral waters is a matter of far more importance, and, when strong sulphur waters are used, never fails to evidence the existence and the extent to which alterative action is going on in the system ; and to this, persons using such waters should always pay a careful attention.

I have said that the best effects of mineral waters are their alterative or changing effects ; and that, in the administration of the White Sulphur, I do not, ordinarily, desire to provoke much increase of the natural evacuations. I do not wish, however, to be understood, by this general declaration, as laying down an absolute rule of practice to govern all cases, or to apply in reference to all waters. The administration of mineral waters, like the administration of every other remedy, should be governed in reference to the particular character and demands of each case ; and in such discriminating practice it will sometimes be found best to use them in a manner to produce active operations for a short time. I have, indeed, generally found, that those who are actively purged by mineral waters, if they have strength to bear it, will be best satisfied with the remedy at the time, and, in fact, are apt to feel better at the time, than those upon whom the water is exerting but little or no purgative effect. It may be

HOW LONG TO BE USED. 3I

laid down as a general fact, in the use of all alterative waters, subject to but few exceptions, that those on whose bowels they act freely will feel best while at the Springs ; while those who are but little purged will feel best after they have left the Springs, and will, ordinarily, enjoy the most permanent advantage. The reason of this is obvious : in the first case, the active purgation throws off the gross humors of the body, and the patient feels promptly relieved ; in the other case, the remedy lies upon the system, is absorbed, and gradually produces its changing influences, — bringing the various secretory functions into a healthy condition, — unloading and cleansing the machinery of the economy, — silently putting its works to rights, and giving them their natural and healthy motion. All this requires time for its accomplishment ; and hence, we often hear persons say, "I was no better while at the Springs, but I began to mend soon after I left, and have continued better since." Declarations of this kind we constantly hear by persons who have previously visited alterative springs; and they verify the correctness of my proposition.

Length of Time to be used, etc. — To acute diseases, mineral waters are not adapted ; for all such they are too exciting, too prone to increase the activity of the circulation, and to stimulate the general system. It is in chronic diseases only that they are found so eminently serviceable. By chronic diseases I mean those slow diseases of the system uniformly attended either with simple excitement, chronic inflammation, or chronic congestion of the blood-vessels. To be permanently beneficial in diseases of this description, the use of mineral waters, like the disease for which they are taken, should be "chronic." I mean that an instantaneous cure should not be expected ; but that the remedy should be persisted in, and the cure gradually brought about. Sulphur waters, especially, may be easily brought into disrepute by short and imperfect trials of them. To prove effectual, "they should for the most part be continued daily, in sufficient quantity, until the disease gives way, or until their inefficacy has been fairly proved by an unremitted perseverance. In some cases of ophthalmia, of rheumatism, and slight cutaneous affections, I have known them to effect a cure in two or three weeks, while in other cases, apparently similar in all respects, twice, thrice, or even four times that period has elapsed before the cure had been accomplished ; and what is here affirmed of these external affections, is still more strongly applicable to internal diseases, which are seldom speedily overcome by these waters, how completely soever they may yield at last. In illustration of this point, as to internal diseases, it may be mentioned that I have seen both chronic inflammation of the liver, and chronic inflammation of the rectum, where no benefit was produced for three or four weeks, and yet a continuation of the waters for six or eight weeks longer has effaced every vestige of the morbid indications for which they were prescribed. ' ' {Armstrong on Sulphur Waters.)

There is no greater folly, in the use of mineral waters, than that of laying down a definite period of time for which they should be used, without reference to their effects upon the system. Like all other medicines, mineral waters should be used, discontinued, or modified in their use, with a strict regard to their operations upon the body, and to their good or bad effects upon the disease. Whenever prescribed, their operations should be watched with the same care with which we watch the effects of any other medicine ; and they should be persevered in, or temporarily or permanently discontinued, or controlled in their action by some appropriate adjuvant, according to the indications presented in each case.

It will occur to every reflecting mind, that the expectation of being cured, or even essentially benefited,

THEIR ADMINISTRATION.

in an obstinate chronic disease, from a few days' use of any mineral water, is altogether unreasonable. Nevertheless, I have often seen persons at watering-places despairing of the efficacy of the remedy, simply because it had not produced an obvious and appreciable benefit in five or six days. A sort of stereotyped opinion indeed prevails with numerous visitors to such places, that the water should not in any case be used longer than two weeks. I scarcely need say that this is a most erroneous opinion, and often interposes between the patient and his recovery. It is true that some, who hold the unwarrantable opinion alluded to, perseveringly endeavor to drink as much in the " two weeks" as they should do in six; but this only serves in a common way to make them abandon it four or five days before their prescribed time, by absolutely disqualifying the system for its reception at all.

I can say, as the result of many years' observation, that the White Sulphur, which is one of the strongest sulphur waters in the world, rarely produces its full alterative effects within two weeks, under its most judicious administration, and under favorable circumstances for its use ; and that three, four, five, and even eight weeks often elapse before it has displayed its full remedial powers in obstinate cases. And such will be found to be the case with all alterative waters.

General Remarks on the Administration, etc. — Mineral waters are all stimulants in a greater or less degree, and some have attributed much of their virtue to this property. Such an opinion, however, is clearly erroneous. I have already remarked that such waters are rarely serviceable when they keep up any considerable irritation of an organ. I now remark that any considerable excitement of the general organism is equally prejudicial ; indeed, I have often been embarrassed, and sometimes thwarted in the successful use of mineral waters, from the prevalence of this quality.