Part 6

The following is an analysis of the _Grande-Grille_;--free carbonic acid, carbonate of Soda, carbonate of Lime, carbonate of Magnesia, muriate of Soda, sulphate of Soda, oxide of Iron and Silex.

The other Baths contain the same ingredients, but the proportions slightly differ; from all the water presents nearly the same appearance. It is clear and colourless, and filled with a great quantity of bubbles rising continually to its surface: its taste is sharp and slightly acidulated.

The waters of Vichy are recommended in most chronic affections, particularly of the stomach, congestions of the liver and abdominal organs generally; haemorrhoids, leucorrhoea, engorgements and indurations of the uterus, ovaries, etc; colic, cramps and epigastric pains; disorders of the urinary organs, nervous and intermittent fevers of long standing. Having a tranquillizing effect upon the nervous system, they are peculiarly adapted to cases of hypochondriasis, neuralgia, chorea, etc.

The season at Vichy begins on the 13th of May, and finishes on the 20th of September, but precaution must be used in taking these waters during excessively hot or stormy weather. Their general effects upon the constitution are said to be very analogous to those of the celebrated waters of Carlsbad in Germany.

SAINT-ALBAN.

This small hamlet two leagues from Roanne on the left bank of the Loire, is much indebted to being situated in the vicinity of Lyon, for the celebrity the waters have attained, and still maintain. Those invalids who come for the purpose of drinking the waters will find good accommodation.

These mineral waters are pungent and acidulous to the taste, and very limpid, the presence of carbonic acid is perceptible every moment by the immense quantity of bubbles which break on the surface of the water. Their temperature is 65 deg. Fah:

Their analysis demonstrates the presence of nitrate of Lime, carbonate of Soda, sulphate of Lime, carbonate of Lime and oxide of Iron. Of the volatile principles carbonic acid gas predominates.

The waters are found very beneficial in almost all chronic diseases, they are taken chiefly in the spring, and are heated to be used as Baths.

COLD ACIDULOUS AND GASEOUS WATERS,

POUGUES.

Pougues is a small well built town, upon the high road leading from Paris to Lyons by Moulins; it is situated between Nevers and Charite-sur-Loire, in a fine rich valley a quarter of a league long. The air is very salubrious, and the neighbouring vineyards produce excellent wine.

The accommodations for visitors are on an extensive scale, and from its proximity to Nevers, every necessary of life can be readily obtained.

The waters of this place greatly resemble those of Spa and Seltzer; they are received into two fountains, called _Saint-Leger_ and _Saint-Marcel_ which are surrounded by a prettily laid out garden and a covered promenade.

The mineral waters of Pougues have been analyzed several times, but the preference is given to that of _Hassenfratz_, who shows the presence of free carbonic acid, carbonate of Lime, carbonate of Soda, muriate of Soda, carbonate of Magnesia, Alum, Silex, and the oxide of Iron.

Monsieur le docteur Martin affirms that these waters are essentially tonic and purgative, that they are suitable in all cases of debility of the digestive organs, in affections of the liver and spleen, in inveterate jaundice, irregular menstruation, nephritic complaints, removing heat of the kidneys and bladder and in expelling gravel.

These waters may be beneficially taken in various forms of dyspepsia, proceeding from a sedentary life, from torpor of the bowels; etc; also by corpulent persons who indulge too much in the pleasures of the table, taking but little exercise; and in obstinate constipations as they invigorate the primae viae, and dislodge from them all accumulations and impurities.

From four to six glasses of the waters constitute a dose, which should be taken fasting early in the morning; twenty or thirty days are considered necessary for a complete course.

SAINT-GALMIER.

A small village situated upon the side of a hill near de la Coyse, in the department of the Loire, and three leagues from Mont-Brison. Its mineral spring is called _Font-Forte_.

The water is limpid and has a very agreeable vinous flavour, there arise from the spring, large bubbles of air which sparkle at the surface of the water, the source of which is lost in the little Brook _Couasse_.

The proportion of carbonic acid which the waters of Saint-Galmier contain is very considerable, one portion is found free, and the other combined with an alkaline base, which appears to be the carbonate of Soda a small trace of sulphate of Lime is also found.

The medical men who have observed the effects of these waters speak highly of their salutary action in chronic catarrhal diseases of old men, in calculous affections of the kidneys, and in Polysarcia, (Obesity).

They administer a pint in the morning for a dose, in lithontriptic complaints; it is commonly mixed with the wine drank at meals.

CHALYBEATE WATERS,

SAINT-HONORE.

Saint-Honore is a small town agreeably situated in the hills of Morvan, thirteen leagues from Nevers, eight from Autun, and four from Chateau-Chinon. The inhabitants of this district are remarkable for their stature and their robust and healthy constitutions.

In ancient times the Baths of this place enjoyed great reputation. The Romans formed some magnificent establishments here, which have however long since disappeared.

Mr Vauquelin's analysis of these waters exhibits the presence of the carbonates of Lime, Iron, and Magnesia, and the subcarbonate of Lime, muriate of Soda, and some Silex. As also a quantity of imponderable sulphur, and vegeto-animal matter.

The ordinary temperature of the Baths is 70 deg. Fah:

The waters are successfully employed in chronic diseases of the abdominal organs, spasmodic asthma, rheumatism and gout. Besides their internal use, they are advantageously applied, in common, vapour, and shower Baths.

PASSY.

Passy which has long been distinguished for its mineral waters is situated contiguous to one of the barrieres of Paris, on the right bank of the River Seine.

This water is remarkably clear and has a chalybeate taste. It contains sulphate of Lime, proto-sulphate of Iron, sulphate of Magnesia, muriate of Soda, Alum, carbonate of Iron, carbonic acid and some traces of bituminous matter.

Owing to the very large proportion of sulphate of Iron and the saline substances, which are found in it, this water is seldom administered internally until it has been allowed to deposit for some time, it is then given in obstructions of the viscera, in dyspepsia, inappetence, hypochondriasis, and in all relaxed and cachectic states of the constitution. Dr Alibert who has frequently prescribed it in debility of the digestive organs, chlorosis and in passive haemorrhages, considers it may be classed amongst the most powerful of Chalybeate waters.

The dose is from two to three glasses daily, it is purgative when taken in a large quantity.

When used as Baths it is transported to the bathing establishment, or _maison de sante_, at a short distance from the spring.

ROUEN.

Chief town of the department of the Seine-Inferieure, thirty leagues from Paris.

Mineral springs of a ferruginous and calcareous nature, abound in the town and neighbourhood.

Those of the _Fontaine Marecquerie_ are the most common in use. The three sources which supply these fountains are respectively designated;

The _Royale_, the _Dauphine_, and the _Reinette_.

The waters have been analyzed by Mr Duboc of Rouen, who thereby demonstrates that every pint of the _Marecquerie_ water, contains one grain of carbonate of Iron, three grains of muriate of Lime, three fourths of a grain of carbonate of Soda, two grains of a vegetable extractive matter, and carbonic acid gas.

Several of the medical practitioners in Rouen, strongly recommend these waters in obstinate intermittent fevers, engorgements of the Liver, uterus and in leucorrhoea depending on general debility, and some cutaneous eruptions.

Three or four glasses constitute a dose of the waters of the _Marecquerie_, they should be drank at the fountain, as they soon become tainted.

SAINT-GONDON.

A small town in the department of Loiret, near the banks of the Loire, three leagues from Sully; its mineral waters rise a short distance from the town.

The analysis of these waters is very incomplete, besides containing a little carbonic acid gas, they hold in solution the carbonates of Iron, Lime, Magnesia, etc.

The action of the Saint-Gondon mineral waters seem to affect more particularly the urinary organs, the secretions of which, they increase in a marked degree; they may be advantageously used in feebleness of the bladder, as also in chronic catarrh which attacks this organ in old men.

In some cases they are purgative. One pint every morning is the customary dose.

FORGES.

A small town in the department of the Seine-Inferieure, situated on a height; twenty-five leagues from Paris, and nine from Rouen.

Its mineral waters, which have their source in the pleasant valley of Bray, were celebrated as far back as the time of Louis 13th who with the cardinal Richelieu, derived signal benefit from their use.

There are three springs called the _Reinette_, the _Royale_, and the _Cardinale_.

M. Robert who analyzed these waters demonstrates that they contain in different proportions, according to their source, Carbonic Acid, Carbonate of Lime, Carbonate of Iron, Muriate of Soda, Sulphate of Lime, Muriate of Magnesia, Sulphate of Magnesia, and Silex.

The waters are under the superintendance of a physician. They are an excellent tonic, and administered in leucorrhoea, dropsy, engorgements of the abdominal organs, paralysis, and sterility.

We think this water might be prescribed with much advantage in all cases of pure debility, unattended with fever or local inflammation; and in leucoplegmatic constitutions; the pallid female affected with complaints peculiar to her sex, may reasonably anticipate the glow of health, and a return of bodily strength to result from a proper course of these waters.

General preference is given to the _Reinette_ spring, but when it is desired to produce a more powerful effect upon the system, as in paralysis, the _Cardinale_ is recommended, and which must be commenced with by taking one glass only. The season for taking these waters is from July to the middle of September.

SULPHUREOUS WATERS,

LA ROCHE-POSAY.

These mineral waters are situated in the department of the Vienne, five leagues from Chatellerault, nine from Poitiers and sixty-six from Paris.

The springs of which there are three rise at the foot of a small mountain, about a quarter of a league from the town.

The accommodations for visitors are of a superior description, the surrounding country exceedingly picturesque, and the air salubrious.

According to the analysis of M. le docteur Josle, the waters contain a large proportion of sulphureted Hydrogen gas, Sulphate of Lime, Carbonate of Lime, Muriate of Soda, and Carbonate of Magnesia.

They are recommended for their utility in rheumatism, scrofula, chronic affections of the abdominal viscera, leucorrhoea, chlorosis, but more particularly in diseases of the skin.

Dr Johnson observes that the French and Germans are universally imbued with the doctrine that the repression of a certain malady which has got the musical sobriquet of (_Scotch-Fiddle_) is the cause of half the evils which flesh is heir to. On this account the continental folks have a great longing (or rather a violent itching) for sulphureous waters, and hence the slightest odour of sulphureted hydrogen gas in a newly discovered spring is considered a real treasure, and in the old ones it is sure to preserve a reputation for endless ages!

The sulphureous and alkaline properties of the waters of Roche-Posay may enable them to resolve obstructions, and free the functions of the skin, kidneys, and other secreting organs, to correct morbid bile as well as acidities, thus proving mildly aperient. Much benefit may also be expected to result from their use in cutaneous complaints.

The waters are drank at their source by the glass, the dose is from eight ounces to two pints; and some persons take them mixed with the wine drank during their repast.

ENGHIEN-LES-BAINS.

This village four leagues north of Paris is situated in a district remarkable for its beautiful scenery on the banks of the lake of St. Gratien, between the heights of Montmorency and the wood of St. Gratien.

The sulphureous spring to which it owes its celebrity as a bathing place, was discovered in 1766, by Pere Cotte, the learned rector of Montmorency.

The celebrated Fourcroy ascertained by analysis, that the waters contain sulphureted Hydrogen gas, Carbonic acid gas, Sulphate of Lime, Sulphate of Magnesia crystalized, Carbonate of Lime, Carbonate of Magnesia, Muriate of Magnesia crystalized, Muriate of Soda, Silicium and Extractive matter.

The usual temperature of these waters is 59 deg. Fah: but they may be heated to a much higher degree without materially losing their properties.

These waters are stimulating causing an abundant perspiration, and an increased secretion of urine. They are employed both internally and externally in many cases; in scabious eruptions and many other cutaneous affections, in chronic catarrhs, when it is necessary to stimulate in a gentle manner the mucous membrane which lines the bronchial and pulmonary cells, in the treatment of scrofulous affections, and of enlargement of the lymphatic glands.

They are also used with much success in asthma, particularly where this state depends upon latent gout, rheumatism, or repelled cutaneous affections, and in intestinal chronic affections, chlorosis, and nervous disorders.

Their alkaline properties empower them to resolve obstructions, and free the functions of the skin, kidneys etc. and to correct acidities, their intimate connexion with sulphureted Hydrogen and Carbonic acid gas enables them to give activity to the secreting vessels and evacuate unhealthy humours, while at the same time they give vigour to the whole organism oppressed by chronic disease.

Visitors will find ample accommodation in the commodious establishments, which are formed on the border of the lake, especially at the _Hotel des quatre Pavillons_, the _Hotel des Cygnes_, the _Bain de la Pecherie_: besides these are several good boarding houses, as well as public gardens and places of amusement. On the lake of St.-Gratien, in the centre of which is a small and pretty Island with a kiosk upon it, those fond of aquatic excursions will find boats adapted for sailing or rowing. Horses and Asses are kept ready saddled for those who may be inclined to visit the several delightful villages in the neighbourhood, and the balls which are given here during the season attract the Parisians in great numbers. The baths of Enghien are every year increasing in repute.

CLASSIFICATION OF FRENCH WINES.

WINES OF THE FIRST CLASS.

+-------------+----------------------------- WINES. |PLACE. |CHARACTER. -------------------------+-------------+----------------------------- | | Romanee Conti |Cote-d'Or. } The first and most delicate Chamberlin |Ditto. } red wines in the Richebourg |Ditto. } world, full of rich perfume, Clos Vougeot |Ditto. } of exquisite bouquet Romanee St.-Vivant |Ditto. } and fine purple colour, La Tache |Ditto. } light, yet with body St.-Georges |Ditto. } and spirit sufficient to Corton |Ditto. } render them pleasant and | } healthful in use. | | First growths of Premaux |Ditto. } Musigny |Ditto. } Burgundies, closely Clos du Tart. |Ditto. } resembling the above Saint-Jean |Ditto. } growths in aroma, and Perriere |Ditto. } in all their other qualities. Veroilles |Ditto. } Morgeot |Ditto. } | | Mont Rachet |Ditto. } White, high perfume | } and nutty flavor. | | Lafitte |Gironde. } Fine colour and delicate Latour |Ditto. } flavour, light, less Chateau Margaux |Ditto. } warm than Burgundy, Haut Brion |Ditto. } with a violet perfume, | } and rich purple hue. | | Beaume |La Drome. } Wines of the Rhone, Muret |Ditto. } darker in colour than the Bessas, Burges, Landes |Ditto. } preceding. Red Hermitage Meal and Grefieux |Ditto. } the most noted of these Racoule, Guioniere |Ditto. } of good body, and a fine | } flavour of the rasberry. | | Sillery |Marne. } White, still, dry; of an | } amber colour; generally | } iced for drinking. Ay. |Marne. } Fine effervescing wine, | } bright in colour, slightly | } frothing. | | Mareuil |Ditto. } The best of the white Hautvilliers |Ditto. } wines of Champagne, Pierry |Ditto. } being all of the first Dizy |Ditto. } quality, but differing a Epernay "Closet" |Ditto. } little in colour and | } effervescence. | | Saint-Bris |Gironde. } Fine white wines of Carbonnieux |Ditto. } excellent quality, lightish Pontac |Ditto. } brown in colour, aroma Sauterne |Ditto. } most agreeable, and Barsac |Ditto. } some of rather sweet taste. | | Preignac and Beaumes |Ditto. } Description resembles Chateau Grillet |La Loire. } the preceding. | | } } Full of body, spirit, Hermitage }Rhone. } and perfume. The finest } } of all white wines. | | Rivesaltes }Pyrenees } A rich muscadine. }orientales. } | | Colmar, Olwiller }Haut-Rhin. } Straw wines, rich and Kaiserberg } } luscious. | | Kientzheim, Ammerschwin |Ditto. |Ditto. | | Hermitage de Paille |Rhone. |Ditto. -------------------------+-------------+--------------------------

The dry wines of the first class will bear no mixture, except with their own growths; are too delicate to be adulterated without instant detection; are the pure offspring of the grape, and rank nearest to perfection of any known wines, of ancient or modern times.

WINES OF THE SECOND CLASS.