Part 21

From the putrefying contents of stagnant water, nutriment is afforded to various living plants and insects which there supply the place of those that perish. Its taste is vapid, unpleasant, and wholly destitute of that agreeable freshness which is found in spring water. It is, however, generally soft, and, by filtration, it may be freed from many of its impurities.

The air which issues from marshes and stagnant pools is extremely noxious, and is the cause of agues and other distressing complaints, to such persons as reside in the neighbourhood of them or are much exposed to them; and the injurious effects of such air have also been considered to extend to the internal use of these waters.

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ORDER II.—SEA WATER.

279. _SEA WATER is a very heterogeneous compound, not only containing a considerable portion of saline substances, but holding also suspended in it an infinite number of minute animal and vegetable particles, to the gradual putrefaction of which its peculiarly nauseous and bitter taste, at the surface, is in some measure to be attributed._

_The average quantity of salt in sea water is estimated to amount to about one─thirtieth part of its weight. It likewise contains a certain portion of muriat of magnesia, sulphat of magnesia or Epsom salts (199), and a small quantity of sulphat of lime (192). Sea water, taken from a great depth, has not the bitterness which the water of the surface has: it is only saline._

No natural waters, if we except certain brine springs and salt lakes, are so saline as those of the ocean; and the latter differ, in this respect, in different parts of the world. At the tropic, the sea is in general more salt than it is at the poles, a wise ordination to preserve it, in those climates, from the great tendency to putrefaction: and, at a considerable depth, it is always found more salt than at the surface. The water of the Baltic is much less salt than that of the Atlantic; and it is a remarkable circumstance, that its saline contents are increased by a west wind, but still more so by a gale from the north west.

Some philosophers have endeavoured, but to little purpose, to account, from second causes, for the saltiness of the ocean. Dr. Halley persuaded himself that it might have been gradually acquired, in very minute portions, by a deposit of salt washed down from the land by rivers, and that, as it could not be carried off by evaporation, instead of being diminished, it must be constantly increasing. But this idea of salting the sea with fresh water, is, to say the least of it, somewhat absurd, more particularly as it presumes that the sea was originally unimpregnated with salt. Had this been the case, the putrefaction of the immense mass of animal and vegetable substances which it gradually contained, would, in a short time, have proved fatal to the whole inhabitants of the earth.

The temperature of the sea, although it must necessarily vary in the different seasons, is much more uniform than that of any inland water exposed to the atmosphere. This is, in a great measure, attributable to its vast body of water, and the perpetual agitation to which it is exposed.

Sea water, when congealed by frost, is found to reject all, or nearly all, its saline particles; and consequently, when thawed, its ice yields water so fresh that it may be drunk without unpleasantness. The freezing of sea water is not unfrequently practised in the northern parts of the world, with a view to lessen the trouble and expense of extracting salt from it, for domestic and other uses (202). Salt water may likewise be rendered fresh and palatable by distillation, a mode which is now very generally practised at sea.

The sea shore has of late become so much frequented by invalids, for the purpose of bathing, that there is scarcely a fishing village, on the whole extent of our coast, but which is provided with some accommodation for bathers. As a cold bath, sea water is employed, with advantage, in all those cases of debility for which cold bathing has, in general, been recommended. It is also used as an external application in tumours and some other complaints; and, taken internally, as a remedy in various disorders.

It is to sea water that we are chiefly indebted for the salt which we use at table, and for all the purposes of domestic economy (202). From this water is also obtained those salts used in medicine, called Glauber’s (203) and Epsom salts (199).

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ORDER III.—MINERAL WATERS.

1. THE MORE SIMPLE COLD WATERS.

280. _MALVERN WATER is a simple cold water, perfectly bright and pellucid: it has an agreeable, and somewhat pungent flavour; but, in other respects, it does not differ in taste from pure and good soft water._

_It contains carbonic acid (26), and a very small portion of earth, either lime or magnesia; but, the carbonic acid perhaps excepted, the foreign bodies are less in quantity than those even of our common spring water._

The spring from which this water principally issues is denominated the Holy Well: and is situated high up the hill, about midway between the villages of Great and Little Malvern, in Worcestershire.

Both as an external and internal application, the waters of Malvern have been considered beneficial in many obstinate complaints. It is a singular circumstance respecting them that, notwithstanding their apparent purity, if they be exposed to the air in an open vessel, they will soon acquire a fetid and unpleasant smell.

Malvern is principally frequented during the summer season.[5]

Footnote 5:

Adjoining to Great Malvern, and a little higher up the hill, there is a very light and pleasant _chalybeate water_.

2. THE MORE SIMPLE WARM WATERS.

281. _BRISTOL HOT─WELL WATER is pure, warm, and slightly acidulated, clear, sparkling, and agreeable to the palate, but without any very decided taste. It is also destitute of smell. When poured into a glass it sends forth numerous air─bubbles. The heat of this spring is very moderate, the average_ _being about 74° of Fahrenheit’s thermometer; and this heat does not sensibly vary during summer or winter._

_The foreign contents of the hot─well water are muriat of magnesia, common salt, Glauber’s salt, sulphat of lime (192), and chalk: but these are in extremely small quantity. It also contains at the rate of about thirty cubic inches of carbonic acid gas, or fixed air (26), in every gallon._

This water springs from the bottom of the southern extremity of St. Vincent’s rock, a lofty cliff of limestone situated on the north bank of the river Avon, and about a mile below the city of Bristol. And, although it is considerably higher than the river, it is so far affected by the spring tides as to become, thereby, in some degree turbid. The discharge of water amounts to about forty gallons in a minute.

There is another spring at _Clifton_, on the summit of the same hill, from the bottom of which the waters of the hot─well issues. This is called the _Sion spring_, and is one or two degrees colder, but, in other respects, it very nearly resembles the water of the hot─well.

Its discovery was somewhat remarkable. A Mr. Morgan, an attorney of Bristol, having erected a house near the spot, sunk a well for the supply of his family with water. The workmen had proceeded to the depth of nearly 240 feet without success, when they were suddenly alarmed by the gushing forth of such an abundance of water that they were compelled to retreat with precipitation. The proprietor was so far disappointed of his hopes as to find that this was a spring of warm instead of cold water. But the circumstance induced him to erect an engine to raise the water for medicinal purposes; and, since that period, a pump room and bathing houses have been prepared for the accommodation of visitors.

The water of each of these springs, besides being used medicinally in pulmonary consumptions and other complaints, is employed very extensively at table, and for all domestic purposes. It is remarkable for softness and purity; and, from its quality of continuing untainted for a great length of time, even in hot climates, is a valuable water for long voyages, and is accordingly exported in considerable quantities to distant parts.

The season of general resort to Clifton and the hot─wells is from about the middle of April to the end of October.

282. _MATLOCK WATER is a simple warm water, which, in its sensible properties, exclusive of its temperature, which is only about 66° of Fahrenheit, is scarcely different from good spring water. It is beautifully clear, and exhales no steam, except in very cold weather._

The medicinal virtues of this water have chiefly been ascribed to its temperature. Its supply is very copious, and from several different sources. Though recommended in some internal complaints, it is principally employed as a bath; and, in this respect, it forms a medium betwixt the waters of Bath or Buxton and those of the generality of cold baths.

Matlock, which is a beautifully romantic village, situated in a hilly part of Derbyshire, and at the distance of 143 miles north of London, was first brought into public notice about the year 1698, shortly after which period the first bath was erected. It is chiefly frequented from the month of May to that of October; or, if the weather continue fine, till near the beginning of November.

283. _BUXTON WATER is a simple warm water, which contains so little foreign matter, as scarcely to be distinguishable from common spring water heated to the same temperature. It has neither smell nor taste; and, though it sparkles a little in the glass, when first drawn, this is not apparently more than what is observable in the water of many common springs._

_Its temperature, in the bath called the Gentleman’s bath, is invariably 82°._

Buxton has been celebrated, for its warm springs, nearly two centuries and a half. As early as the year 1572 a treatise on their virtues was published: this states them to have been at that time much resorted to by persons from all the adjacent counties. The water is employed both externally and internally, and to great extent. Its principal value, as a bath, arises from its very copious supply, its purity, and its high temperature. The sensation which is felt from bathing in it is considered to be such as would be experienced from any bath heated to the highest temperature which is compatible with giving some sensation of cold when the body is first plunged into it. This water is also used as an internal medicine; and is frequently used by the inhabitants as their common beverage, and for such domestic purposes as its hardness will admit.

There are several springs and several distinct baths; but the original and most ancient of them is called St. Ann’s Well, and is enclosed in an elegant stone building. These waters are frequented by persons afflicted with the rheumatism, gout, diseases of the alimentary organs, and kidneys, and various other complaints: and the chief influx of company is during the summer and autumnal months.

The situation of Buxton is in a narrow and funnel─shaped valley, surrounded by wild, bleak, and dreary mountains, in the midst of the county of Derby, and about 160 miles north of London.

3. HOT CARBONATED CHALYBEATE WATER.

284. _BATH WATER is a hot carbonated chalybeate. When first drawn, it appears clear and colourless, nor does it afford any signs of briskness or effervescence. The temperature of the water drawn from the King’s Bath, which is that usually employed for drinking, is 116° of Fahrenheit, and that of the Cross Bath is 112°. No odour whatever is perceptible from a glass of fresh water; but from a large body of it the nose is affected by a slight degree of pungency. When the water is hot from the pump, it fills the mouth with a strong chalybeate impression without any pungency, and accompanied with scarcely any kind of saline taste; and, what is remarkable, as soon as the water cools, the chalybeate taste is entirely lost, and nothing but an extremely slight saline sensation remains upon the palate._

_The foreign contents of Bath water are sulphat of lime (192), chalk, Glauber’s salt (203), and common salt; together with a very small portion of oxide of iron (21), yet sufficient to give iron mould stains to the linen of the bathers. The water curdles soap, and is so hard as to be unfit for many domestic purposes._

The city of Bath has been celebrated for its hot springs even from the time of the Romans. These are of higher temperature than any within the British dominions; and indeed are the only natural waters which we possess that are at all hot to the touch, the other thermal waters being of heat below the animal temperature.

There are three principal sources of these waters, called the King’s Bath, the Cross Bath, and the Hot Bath; and they differ slightly in their properties. The springs arise within a short distance of each other, at the lower part of the city; and yield so copious a supply that all the large reservoirs used for bathing are filled every evening with water fresh from their respective fountains.

The application of the water externally is either general or local. The latter consists in pumping it for a considerable time on the part affected. This is called _dry pumping_, because in it only one part of the body is wetted, whilst the rest is kept dry; and in many cases, it is found an excellent remedy.

The diseases for which these waters are resorted to are very numerous, and are amongst the most important and difficult to be cured that come under medical treatment.

4. HOT ALKALINE SULPHUREOUS WATER.

285. _AIX─LA─CHAPELLE or AKEN WATER, is an alkaline sulphureous water, much hotter than that of any of the springs in England, varying in temperature in the different baths from 112° to 143°. It has a saline, bitterish, and somewhat alkaline taste; and its smell precisely resembles, but is greatly more powerful than, that of Harrowgate water (299)._

_It contains a small quantity of chalk, common salt, and carbonat of soda (201), the latter of which renders it soapy to the touch. But the most striking feature in this water is_ _the unusual quantity of sulphur which it contains; and which is so extremely volatile on the application of heat, that none of it is left in the residuum after evaporation. In this water there is also a considerable portion of carbonic acid._

The city of Aix─la─Chapelle is in the circle of Westphalia, betwixt the rivers Meuse and Rhine, about seventy miles east of Brussels, and in a rich and fertile country. Its waters have been in great medical repute, and have attracted a numerous concourse of visitants for many centuries past. Their reputation was so well established, even in the time of Charlemagne, that he frequently resided at Aix: and he is said to have been so much delighted in the use of the waters as to have sometimes even held his levee at the baths.

In this city, and in the small territory that belongs to it, there are several sources of hot water. Of these the principal spring is enclosed in a stone cistern, which is vaulted and almost conical at the top, and the parts of which are connected with the utmost care, to prevent the vapour from escaping. From this spring the water flows, in a copious stream, into several spacious and elegant baths, in the different parts of the city, distinguished by the names of the Emperor’s Bath, the Nobles’ Bath, the Poor’s Bath, and other appellations. In most of these there is every necessary apparatus for bathing by immersion, for vapour bathing, and for pumping on any particular parts of the body.

The water rises, with great quickness, from the springs, and sends forth bubbles of air, which burst with a slight noise when they reach the surface. It is at first perfectly colourless and pellucid, and emits a large portion of steam, and with it a strong sulphureous smell, which is perceptible at a great distance.

Its temperature is so high, that, in the large baths, it requires to stand from fifteen to eighteen hours before it is sufficiently cooled for tepid bathing; and it is one of the few natural springs which are hot enough to be employed as a vapour bath without the addition of artificial heat. On standing to cool, it gradually loses its clearness, acquires a milky hue, and deposits an earthy sediment, which is entirely calcareous. At the same time it loses its offensive smell, and, when cold, has scarcely any odour.

Wherever a large quantity of this water passes hot from the spring through a confined place, the upper covering becomes encrusted with sulphur. This is particularly the case with respect to the dome of the vault that encloses the great source which supplies the Emperor’s bath, and which is opened, from time to time, for the purpose of having the sulphur brushed off.

From the waters of Aix─la─Chapelle, though only internally used, the body acquires a sulphureous smell; and even silver worn in the pocket becomes tarnished.

286. _BORSET WATER is of two kinds. One of these resembles the water of Aix in every respect, except as to the impregnation of sulphur, which is much weaker: its temperature is 132°. The other contains no sulphur: it is, however, equally alkaline, and the heat is as high as 152°, which much exceeds the hottest of the waters of Aix._

Both these waters are used by fullers and cloth─workers, on account of the convenience they afford, without expense, of a sufficiency of hot and somewhat alkaline fluid which is well adapted for the cleansing of woollen cloth.

In the latter of the above─mentioned springs a large portion of earth is suspended. This, as the water cools, is deposited, and forms hard incrustations of considerable thickness round every substance with which it comes in contact. It is not, however, on this account found less useful for the scouring of cloth, boiling of vegetables for the table, or any of those domestic purposes for which soft water is required.

In this spring there is a considerable portion of carbonic acid gas, or fixed air (26), which is continually escaping from the fresh water, and is in sufficient quantity to corrode, in a short time, the leaden covering that is used for the vapour baths, and any iron within its reach.

After having supplied several baths, the stream flows into a large fish pond, where it is still of blood heat. In this pond we are informed that carp and tench multiply very fast, and grow to an enormous size; but that their flesh is soft and without flavour, until they have been removed, for about six months, into a pond of cold water, where they become perfectly firm and good for the table.

In their medicinal application these waters are chiefly employed externally, and their great heat allows of every convenience for vapour, hot, warm, and tepid bathing. The village of Borset, or Bordscheit, in which they are found, is situated about a quarter of a mile south of Aix─la─Chapelle (285).

5. HOT, SALINE, HIGHLY CARBONATED CHALYBEATE WATER.

287. _THE VICHY WATERS are hot, saline, and chalybeate. They vary in some degree in the different springs, have a salt and somewhat bitter taste, and a considerable pungency of smell. They are alkaline, and about the temperature of 120°._

There are, at Vichy, a small town on the banks of the river Allier, about 180 miles south─east of Paris, no fewer than six different springs of hot water, which vary somewhat in their temperature, and in the proportion of their foreign contents. The valley in which this town is situated is highly fertile and beautiful, and abounds in vineyards and fruit─trees.

It is remarkable that sheep, cows, and other animals, crowd to drink this water with great eagerness, and even to lick the stones and sides of the channel through which it flows. Their partiality for it is so great that, at certain times, they are known to swim across the river Allier, in considerable numbers together, without even tasting of that water, and to proceed, without interruption onward, until they reach this their favourite beverage.

288. _CARLSBAD WATER is hot, saline, and chalybeate, having an unpleasant alkaline and bitter taste, though scarcely any smell. Its constant temperature is 165°. It contains chalk, Glauber’s salt (203), common salt, and carbonat of soda (201), together with a small portion of iron; and carbonic acid gas, or fixed air (26), in considerable quantity._

The town of Carlsbad, situated on the river Eger, in Bohemia, and its springs (which have the name of _Caroline baths_), received their appellation from the Emperor Charles the Fourth, who is said to have himself discovered the latter, in the year 1370, whilst hunting; and, since that period, few waters have more engaged the attention of chemists and physicians than these. Carlsbad is now much frequented during the summer months, and has good accommodations as a watering place. Its water is remarkable for a rapid and copious deposition of calcareous earth, which takes place always on cooling, and forms a very hard and beautiful crust on the inner surface or tube of any channel through which it flows; and forms petrifactions round moss, pieces of straw, or other extraneous substances which are put into the stream, even for so short a time as twenty─four hours. All the iron which the fresh water contains is also precipitated by cooling, and rather sooner than the calcareous earth. A very fine laminated calcareous stone in variegated colours is thus formed in large masses around the channel of the stream, which, when polished, is almost equal in beauty to jasper.

Of the hot springs of this neighbourhood the principal is called the _Sprudel_. It boils up, with great violence, and discharges about 352 cubic feet of water hourly, through a curious natural vault or incrustation which it has gradually formed. This water supplies the greater number of the baths. The other springs are, in general, of much lower temperature: they do not exceed from 114° to 125°, and they differ somewhat from each other in their chemical properties. They all contain a large portion of carbonic acid gas, or fixed air, and this is given out in such quantity by the water, that it fills several caverns, in the rocks adjoining to the springs, rendering them fatal to all animals which incautiously enter them.

The waters of Carlsbad are used for the removal of a great variety of disorders, but particularly such as are connected with indigestion. They are likewise used in obstructions of the bowels, and diseases of the kidneys. About five pints, divided into fourteen portions, are, on an average, drunk by each individual every day.

The Sprudel spring is better than that of any mineral waters which are employed medicinally. It requires to be considerably cooled before it can either be used as a bath, or drunk. Its heat is such that it is occasionally employed, in place of water artificially heated, for several domestic purposes, such as the scalding of fowls and hogs, the feathers and hair of which it immediately loosens.

Several hundred pounds weight of Glauber’s salt are annually prepared from this water.

6. SIMPLE SALINE WATERS.

289. _SEDLITZ WATER is very salty and bitter. It contains a small portion of chalk, some sulphat of lime (192), carbonat of magnesia, muriat of magnesia, and a very great proportion of Epsom salt (199), to which its bitter taste and medicinal virtues are principally attributed._

The spring for which the village of Sedlitz, in Bohemia, has long been celebrated, was, for many years, wholly neglected by the inhabitants, on account of the bitter and nauseous taste of its water, which rendered it unfit for nearly all domestic purposes. Its virtues, as a medicine, were first brought into notice about the year 1721, by Hoffman, the celebrated Prussian physician.