I Surgeon General's Office rr>* e > fKV4rv f /-V '-T V. - f/> fir N I tf ANALYSIS / OF SARATOGA WATERS SHARON, AVON, VIRGINIA AND OTHER MINERAL WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES. WitU directions for Invalids. V By M. L. NORTH, m. D. A Resident Physician at Saratoga. THIRD^Eforri^,. ^ je"S' v% ^ LIIlTLUiyJ? /''. *Ttfir[ffcs '*»/ ,''i ~'-r n ■ ^' NEW Y^Stf': PUBLISHED BY SAXTON & MILES, 305 Broadway, 1846. W6J- I84C Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1843, by M. L. NORTH, in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Connecticut. Printed by CASE, TIFFANY & BURNHAM, Hartford, Conn. CONTENTS. 5 CHAPTER I. PAGEl Tour among the Sulphur Springs of New York State Importance of Baths. Acknowledgment to my for- mer patients. The character of the baths used at Saratoga. CHAPTER II. Professional advice before leaving.home. Indefinite notions of invalids. Many disappointments. . 9 CHAPTER III. History and analysis of Congress Spring. Putnam Spring. Iodine Spring. Pavilion Spring. Union Spring. High Rock Spring. Flat Rock, Hamilton, Columbian and Washington Springs. White Sul- phur Spring. Benedict's Sulphur Spring. . n CHAPTER IV. Medicinal character of the waters of Saratoga Springs. Mode of their operation. CHAPTER V. Directions to visitants. A list of the diseases bene- fited by the cathartic use of the waters. Mode of taking them. When the waters are too stimulating. Mode of relief. Painful irritation of the waters prevented. Auxiliary remedies. 24 30 IV CONTENTS. CHAPTER VI. Use of mineral waters as an alterative. Perseverance indispensable. Outline of diseases to which the alterative course is applicable. Two cases in illus- tration. ...... 39 CHAPTER VII. Analysis and medicinal character of various Sulphur Springs. Sharon White Sulphur. Sharon Mag- nesia Spring. Richfield Spring. Avon Springs. White Sulphur Spring, Virginia. Red Sulphur Spring, Virginia. Bedford Spring, Penn. . 46 CHAPTER VIII. Baths. Popular notions of baths very indefinite. Their great efficiency in removing disease. The necessity of a watchful discrimination in all cases. A criterion proposed which has stood the test of seven seasons. Several cases of rheumatism in illustration. . . • .52 CHAPTER IX. Miscellaneous remarks on Saratoga and Virginia Springs, as a resort for invalids. . . 62 MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY. The Author having spent several weeks during the last autumn at the principal Sul- phur springs of New York state, in ascertain- ing their effects on himself and others ; and finding, at some of the places, a great want of directions, especially in the use of the baths, he ventures to incorporate in this little work, originally written for Saratoga Springs, a few hints which he hopes will prove aux- iliary to the purposes of the invalids at those places. It certainly is undesirable, to say the least, for a sick stranger at a watering place, to be taking hot, cold or shower baths, without any professional or scientific direc- 6 north's treatise on tions. The writer, therefore, hopes that it will prove acceptable, not only to invalids and to the owners of the mineral fountains, but to the physicians near them. He begs leave in this introductory note to call the attention of all these parties to the chapter on Baths. After carefully watching the effects of the hot, tepid, cold and shower baths for eight years, and steadily pursuing the principles there laid down while admin- istering them, he earnestly hopes that nei- ther the physician oor patient may be deter- red, by any theoretical or non-professional objections, from an unprejudiced and faith- ful trial of the directions therein contained. The rules of bathing, and the physiological laws on which those rules are founded, are applicable to all mineral waters, hot or cold, the world over, and are now sanctioned by all who have laid aside prejudice and gone thoroughly into the investigation. He will not suppress his belief that, though there are still in Saratoga, a few boarding- house keepers who will not understand that the occasional languor and weakness which follow hot baths are only temporary evils, and are a perfectly safe and easy means of remo- MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 7 ving existing disease; yet it is this same chap- ter more than any other, which has led to the demand of a third edition within a few years from the first publication. In presenting this small volume in its amended dress to the public and to the many patients who have heretofore consulted him, he wishes to thank them particularly for one thing, namely : that, by coming repeatedly to his office, and allowing him a reasonable opportunity for a thorough understanding of the complaints, and a thorough and varied adaptation of remedies to their removal, they have greatly facilitated his improvement in the administration of the waters, by a volu- minous collection of cases and observations, faithfully recorded during the whole eight years of his residence here. He will not allow himself to doubt, that many of them will feel a positive pleasure in* having been auxiliary to his unceasing endeavor to have these mineral fountains prove a blessing to all who seek them. Before dismissing the subject of baths, the author would remark that, at Saratoga, he confines his baths for invalids wholly to min- eral waters, by which he intends either the 8 NORTH'S TREATISE ON saline or sulphur fountains. Carbonic acid is a decided stimulus to the cutaneous sur- face. The carbonic acid baths of Germany produce great heat and action in the skin, without any other agent whatever. The sulphuretted hydrogen of the sulphur bath is also stimulating: and there is much of these gases, particularly the carbonic acid, remaining in the bath when heated to 100° or 110° Fahrenheit. If we add to these gases the table salt and other saline materials existing in many of the waters, we shall see why a decided preference should be given to these baths, particularly those of carbonic acid, in seeking to remove disease. There are now at least two or three bathing houses in this village, where baths can be had at all hours of the day and evening, composed wholly of saline, carbonic acid waters. MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 9 CHAPTER II. PROFESSIONAL ADVICE BEFORE LEAVING HOME. The writer has often thought that if inva- lids, when coming here, would have a thor- ough conference with their regular physician previously to leaving home, they might receive such directions as would be not only useful but a matter of economy. Many come here without any professional advice or direc- tion or preparation. Having worn out their physicians, or been the round of the nostrums, they resolve to spend two or three weeks drinking and bathing in the pools of Sara- toga ! A visit to the Springs is somehow to cure them. Precisely as if they should say in an ordi- nary attack of sickness, " I will go to the druggist's and procure some medicine." " Ah ! but what medicine ?" " No matter: medicine is medicine," "But how do you know that your present disorder will be ben- efited by the medicine you select 1" " I don't pretend to know ; but I am sick, and there must be something on the shelves of 2 10 north's treatise on the apothecary, to whom everybody resorts, that will cure me." In the same manner valetudinarians often visit mineral springs. Without knowing at all whether their diseases be inflammatory or the reverse—whether they are plethoric or reduced—whether they need the water as an alterative, diuretic, cathartic or tonic—whe- ther they need the warm, cold or shower bath, or neither :—in short, in utter ignorance of the variety of ways the remedy can be made to bear on various disorders in different constitutions and temperaments, they mostly seem to come with two simple purposes—to deluge the stomach with as much water as they can swallow, and resort frequently to the baths. In this way the plans of the patient are often thwarted, his hopes blasted, and he departs wondering that such crowds should resort to a place where he has receiv- ed nothing but trouble and disappointment. To the healthy and well balanced frame, a tumbler of the sparkling and delicious bev- erage, although it contains over 37 grains of various saline matters, besides the gases, can do little mischief. And if ten or twelve tum- blers are taken, the conservative powers of mineral waters and baths. 11 such a system will usually manage to evade the evil. But, when the patient comes labor- ing under disease, with the healthy action suspended, and the economy in a generally deranged condition, the swallowing of ten or fifteen tumblers of this potent medicine every day, is by no means a matter of trifling or impunity. How many, after various repeti- tions of these absurd and ill-judged potations, go home in disgust and despair, with every inflammatory tendency aggravated, and every irritation increased by the very remedy which has restored health to their neighbors and friends. CHAPTER III. HISTORY AND ANALYSIS OF SEVERAL OF THE SPRINGS OF SARATOGA. CONGRESS SPRING. Amidst all the capricious elevations and depressions which watering places and sum- mer retreats from lime immemorial are known to have shared, the Congress Spring of Sara- toga has stood unshaken. Its celebrity has arisen and been established by its own intrin- 12 north's treatise on sic merits. By means of bottling, its proper- ties are known to men in all the four quarters of the globe. This process has, probably, greatly accelerated the spread of its reputa- tion in our own country. The achievements of steam are doing still more, by bringing from our cities and villages, representatives who, on returning home, make their own reports to their friends and neighbors of the effects of these waters. The sum total of these reports, could we obtain it, would be the exact measure of public estimation of this and the other springs of this place. In the absence of this criterion, we have a proof of the general approbation of these springs by the steady increase of the village, founded solely on the demand of visitors for accom- modation. The curbing to the Congress Spring had become so defective, from its having been about forty years in the same position, that it formed an imperfect barrier to the fresh water which surrounded the fountain. In this way the original concentrated mineral water be- came somewhat diluted, and Dr. Clark, the owner, in the spring of 1842, very cautiously, but, as it proved, very wisely, caused it to be MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 13 thoroughly overhauled, cleansed, and reno- vated, by putting down a new, substantial curb, leading to the exact point of escape from the rock, and surrounding the curb by large quantities of clay, rendered very com- pact by artificial means. A great improve- ment was immediately perceptible in the in- creased amount of gas, in its marked saline taste, and its augmented cathartic power. The older citizens recognized the Congress Spring of years gone by, and the event was hailed with congratulations by the inhabit- ants in general. The improvement was equally acknowledged by the visitants in the course of the summer, as was shown by the crowds which resorted to the favorite drink- ing place in the morning. The taste has appeared to show an increasing strength, during the year, and I have often, when resorting to it, observed the gas freely bub- bling from its surface. The popular decision respecting the medi- cinal effects of the spring, is abundantly con- firmed by the repeated analyses which have since been made by that eminent chemist, Dr. J. R. Chilton, of New York. An anal- ysis made soon after the reconstruction of the NORTH'S TREATISE ON spring, compared with one done by him in 1840, both of which I would insert, did not my limits forbid, showed an increase of solid matter from 298 grs. to 410. The following is the result of an analysis which I procured from him, dated May 1> 1843: One gallon, or 231 cubic inches, contains, Chloride of Sodium, grs. 363.829 Carbonate of Soda, 7.200 Carbonate of Lime, 86.143 Carbonate of Magnesia, 78.621 Carbonate of Iron, .841 Sulphate of Soda, .051 Iodide of Sodium and Bromide of Potassium, 5.920 Silica, #472 Alumina, .321 grs. 543.998 Carbonic acid, 284.65 Atmospheric air, 5.41 Cubic inches, 290.06 MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 15 THE PUTNAM SPRING. Analysis by J. R. Chilton, May, 1840. One gallon, or 231 cubic inches, contains, Chloride of Sodium, grs. 214.00 Sulphate of Soda, 1.68 Carbonate of Soda, 14.32 Carbonate of Magnesia, 51.60 Carbonate of Lime, 68.80 Iodide of Sodium, and a trace of Bromide of Potassium, 2.00 Carbonate of Iron, 7.00 Sulphate of Lime, .21 Silica, §4 Alumen, 56 grs. 361.01 Carbonic acid, inches, 326.4 Atmospheric air, 6.4 332.8 A glance at the above analysis shows the Putnam Fountain to be highly impregnated with gaseous and saline materials, and to contain an amount of iron which places it at the head of our springs, as compared with the analysis formerly made by Dr. Steel and those latterly by Chilton, in its chalybeate and tonic powers. This spring, which is 16 north's TREATISE ON owned wholly by Mr. Lewis Putnam, has been discovered and curbed within a few years, and is already a favorite with many visitants. When bottled, it deposits an iron- colored sediment, which is very light, and about the nature of which chemists are by no means agreed. Notwithstanding this blem- ish, Mr. Putnam is receiving frequent orders from agents and individuals abroad ; and the water bids fair to sustain and increase its reputation amidst the powerful competition it meets in this valley of fountains. IODINE SPRING. This fountain, which is in the northeast part of the village, was explored and curbed by a few spirited individuals in the autumn of 1839, and was first brought into public notice in the following summer. It is now in the hands of the heirs of the late Judge Walton, of this village. It has been analy- zed by Prof. Emmons of Albany, and Dr. Chilton of New York. Their results are very similar. The following was made by Prof. Emmons: MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 17 One gallon, or 231 cubic inches, contains, Muriate of Soda, grs. 187.0 Carbonate of Magnesia, 75.0 Carbonate of Lime, 26.0 Carbonate of Soda, 2.0 Carbonate of Iron, 1.0 Hydriodate of Soda, 3.5 grs. 294.5 Carbonic acid gas, 326 Air, 4 Cubic inches, 330 Albany, Feb. ISth, 1339. This spring has many admirers. It bottles well and is largely ordered. It is very acid- ulous, light and easy to the stomach. It is peculiar for the small quantity of iron it con- tains ; and before the renovation of the Con- gress Spring in 1842, and its subsequent analysis, it stood alone in its feeble impreg- nation with iron, and consequently in its adaptedness to inflammatory complaints. PAVILION SPRING. This fountain, which is near the centre of the village, a few rods east from the Co- lumbian Hotel, was excavated, curbed and 18 NORTH'S TREATISE ON brought to its present admirable condition during the autumn of 1839, and the spring of 1S40, by .Mr. D. McLaren of this village, at an expense of several thousand dollars. This great expense was unavoidable through the difficulty of sinking a large square enclo- sure formed of stout logs, to a depth of nearly forty feet in a soft morass, combined with the vast amount of water to be thrown out by relays of men at the pumps night and day, and the exposure of the workmen to suffoca- tion, from the abundance of gas developed from the waters in the excavation. At length two stout plank curbs, or square tubes, were carefully placed in separate parts of the bot- tom of the cavity, and secured in such a man- ner as to conduct the waters nearly forty feet, to an elevation quite above the natural surface of the land, where they are both discharging their rich and sparkling streams of medicated waters. Both these perpendicular rivulets have been analyzed : but the western has engrossed nearly all the public favor, and is called the Pavilion Fountain. The gas is so abundant in this tube, that myriads of small globules are often thrown nearly a foot from MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 19 the surface. I insert the analysis made by Dr. Chilton, August, 1840.* One gallon, or 231 cubic inches, contains, Chloride of Sodium, 187.68 Carbonate of Soda, 4.92 Carbonate of Lime, 52.84 Carbonate of Magnesia, 56.92 Carbonate of Iron, 3.51 Sulphate of Soda, 1.48 Iod. Sod. Brom. Pot., 2.59 Alumina, .42 Phosp. Lime, .19 Silica, grs. 1.16 311.71 Carbonic acid, 359.5 Air, 5.3 Cubic inches, 364.8 UNION SPRING. This name has recently been given to one of the ten springs, which are situated about a mile from the Iodine Spring, in an easterly direction, near the road to Schuylerville. * I regret that I cannot, without trespassing on a copy- right, procure an analysis made by Dr. Chilton in 1842, showing a decided increase in the ingredients. 20 NORTHS TREATISE ON The following is its analysis, made by Dr. J. R. Chilton, August 19, 1841 : One gallon, or 231 cubic inches, contains, Chloride of Sodium, grs. 243.620 Carbonate of Magnesia, 84.265 Carbonate of Lime, 41.600 Carbonate of Soda, 12.800 Carbonate of Iron, 5.452 Iodide of Sodium and a trace of Bromide of Potassium, 3.600 Silica and Alumina, J.570 grs. 392.907 Carbonic acid, 344.16 Air, 4.62 Cubic inches, 34S.78 The composition of the remaining springs, namely, the High Rock, Flat Rock, Hamil- ton, Columbian and Washington, is so sim- ilar as not to need particular description. In one thing they all agree, in being highly charged with iron. Hence, although deci- dedly laxative, they are ranked under the common appellation of chalybeate and tonic springs; and are more often taken without regard to any aperient effect than the Saline Springs, whose analyses have already been MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 21 given. Nevertheless, the High Rock and Hamilton have each their firm advocates and friends ; and it is very common for individ- uals to make their annual pilgrimage to this place, to take one of these springs exclu- sively, and in the common methods of morn- ing potations, with a view to their cathartic effects. The High Rock is an object of lasting in- terest and curiosity, and the visitants are few who fail to make it a visit and talk o^er its history. It is situated in the upper village, a few rods south of the Iodine Spring. It was the only spring for many years after the famous cure of Sir William Johnson, in 1767. The Flat Rock Spring, so called from an extensive deposition of calcareous matter around the outlet, which was permitted to remain undisturbed till within a few years, is located a few rods northwest of the present Pavilion Fountains. The Hamilton is be- tween Putnam and Congress Springs. The Columbian is within a few feet of the Con- gress, and the Washington, a little to the southwest of Congress Spring, by the Wash- ington Bath House. The above list includes all the saline 22 NORTHS TREATISE ON springs in this vicinity, except Ellis's Spnng, which emerges from the ground about two miles south of the village, immediately under the embankment of the railroad, and nearly west of the flouring mill, and a similar spring on the farm of Mr. Stewart, about a mile east of the village, which has lately been discov- ered. Both these fountains possess chemical and medicinal qualities, similar to those already described. The Sulphur Springs within the village, possess but feeble sulphureous qualities. Abel's Spring, on the southeast border of Saratoga lake, lias long been thought to pos- sess decided manifestations of sulphur: and, in the spring of ISlei, the Messrs. Marvin, and Dr. Freeman of this village, succeeded in curbing and securing a most abundant stream of cold and highly transparent water, strongly impregnated with sulphuretted hy- drogen, and a small quantity of saline mat- ters. This spring they have properly named the White Sulphur Spring, from a copious deposite of a white compound, found in the stream near the ontlet of the spring. This compound consists principally of argillacious matter, with a sufficient impregnation of MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 23 sulphur to blacken silver in a very few min- utes. The discovery of this spring produced quite a sensation: and, as it could be visited twice daily, through the summer, by a fine steamboat and a line of omnibuses, its proper- ties became rapidly known to the visitors, and will soon be justly appreciated both for drinking and bathing. The testimony of invalids, particularly as to its internal use, has hitherto been much in its favor. There is still another Sulphur Spring about two miles west of Saratoga village, on the farm of Mr. Benedict, and near Rowley's Stone Mills. This water contains table salt, lime and iron, besides sulphuretted hydrogen and carbonic acid. It promises well for bathing, and has already done much for the cure of cutaneoes affections. Its powerful gush from the bosom of the earth, might well entitle it to the denomination of The Great Sulphur Spring. Some enterprising individ- ual or company may succeed in insulating and securing a concentrated and efficacious sulphureous water, and thus, not only secure their own fortune, but afford a most desirable accommodation to the invalids who resort to our springs. 24 NORTH'S TREATISE ON CHAPTER IV. THE MEDICINAL CHARACTER OF THE WATERS OF THE SARATOGA SPRINUS. There are two methods of testing the na- ture of an agent that is to be introduced into the materia medica; viz. by carefully watch- ing and recording the therapeutical effects of the article on individuals, and by chemical analysis. The latter criterion is probably a more fallacious guide than is generally sup- posed. How often has the practitioner been surprised at the augmented, diminished, or less irritating effects of some off-hand combination that would be wholly unlooked for by esti- mating the separate agency of each article ! So of mineral waters. Chemical analysis cannot decide the exact medicinal effects of a new spring, independently of a faithful obser- vation of its operation. For, 1st. Many medicines,such as oxyde of iron, carbonate of iron, pulverized bark, calomel, the gum resins, while in pills, capsicum, gin- ger,&c, pass through the alimentary passages with very little absorption. Mineral waters, MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 25 on the contrary, as may be inferred from the experiments of Dr. Beaumont, are introduced into the blood by the absorbents of the stom- ach, without any previous deposition or diges- tion, and thus these mineral agents which, in their minute proportions, would be very inert in a state of powder, are admitted to the inner coat of all the blood-vessels, and to the mi- nutest branches of the secretory apparatus. How widely different these two modes of op- eration must be, all can readily understand. 2d. Chemical analysis cannot appreciate the qualifying or mutual effects of the ingre- dients on each other as above stated. 3d. In the language of the late Dr. James Johnson of London, " Mineral waters con- tain, in all probability, many agents which we cannot imitate by artificial combinations. This is proved by every day's observation. Thus, the saline, aperient mineral waters will produce ten times more effect than the iden- tical materials artificially dissolved and mix- ed. The same is true with respect to the chalybeate springs. A grain of iron in them is more tonic than twenty grains exhibited according to the pharmacopoeia." "It does not follow, however, that waters contain no 3 26 NORTH'S TREATISE ON active materials because chemistry is unable to detect them. Powerful agents may be dif- fused in waters, which are incapable of anal- ysis, or which are destructible by the process employed for that purpose. The only sure test is experience of their effect on the hu- man body." Under the guidance of both these tests wc are authorized to say that these waters are, 1st, laxative or aperient; 2d, diuretic; 3d, antacid; 4th, deobstruent; 5th, alterative; and 6th, tonic. The medical faculty and the public have a general understanding of all these qualities except the last; and I defer to the chapter on the manner of taking the waters, any farther remarks on these qualities with the exception above named. Before my residence here, I had been many years prescribing Congress water in bottles to my patients as a pleasant aperient. Its bracing effects I had never suspected. In conversation with a professional brother in Hartford, just before my leaving that city, who has a wide and respectable practice, and who is frequently prescribing Congress water, he seemed almost to have forgotten whether there MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 27 was any iron in the article or not. This is, doubtless, true of many physicians who are constantly directing the use of this bevernge. But, were these gentlemen stationed here and obliged to watch its daily effects, when taken liberally from the fountains, on the pulse, color, tone and movements of the system^ and to witness the unequivocal aggravation of lo- cal, inflammatory affections when not coun- teracted by appropriate remedies,they would appreciate the anxiety felt by the writer that the profession, generally, should understand the exact nature of the case, and give their patients the proper directions and preparation when leaving their homes for Saratoga. If any suppose the physicians of this water- ing place have misjudged in this affair, or that the writeris unduly anxiousthat inflammatory affections should be kept down while patients are in the use of these remedies, let them examine the history of the various mineral waters of Europe. There is no exception to the fact, that whether iron be present or ab- sent, an internal use of these remedies is pro- ductive of stimulating and tonic effects. The Buxton waters in England, which contain only 15 grains of saline matter in a gallon, 28 NORTH'S TREATISE ON and 6 cubic inches of gaseous products, have been found, from the record of 14,906 patients, to be highly stimulating and tonic. The bracing effects of the waters have proved a constant source of embarrassment to Dr. Robertson of the place, and require continual counteraction. In an extended and careful examination of the treatment adopted at the various watering places in Europe and our country, I have not met with one spring, except simply saline,such asSeidlitz in Germany and Cheltenham and Leamington, England, that does not need a concomitant reducing treatment in invalids laboring under inflammation or plethora. The cardinal importance of a right under- standing of this topic, as it goes to obviate almost the only evil that can result from the use of our waters, is my apology for these ex- tended remarks. Yet, I must not be undeistood to say that all need depletion before they come or while here. Far from it. There are many who come with soft, slow pulse, pale countenance, and freedom from inflammatory tendencies, whom the saline springs exactly suit without any previous medication. Crowds of such MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 29 come and go annually rejoicing in their visit to these fountains. There are others, too, of so cold and torpid a habit that they need warming and acrid remedies as auxiliaries to the water ; and there are some with such ex- quisitely irritable nerves as to require—not depletory measures—but anodynes, such as a pill every four hours of extract of hyosciamus, carbonate of ammonia and camphor. I have been pleased to see how visitants of this char- acter, whose bowels had been thrown into great pain and distension by a few tumblers taken in the morning, could be made to bear full and effectual doses of the water by the addition of such a sedative as the one above mentioned. Still there is a wide difference between a patient who brings a calm circulation, soft pulse, pale tongue and lips, and exemption from local obstructions, and one who is florid, full, hot, with white fur on the tongue, hard, wiry pulse, and all those symptoms founded on a sanguine temperament, and subacute or chronic local inflammation. The same disease, according to our imper- fect nomenclature, needs the two opposite modes of treatment. In rheumatism, for ex- 30 NORTH'S TREATISE ON ample, one patient may have been long afflict- ed without any active inflannnation. His joints are stiff, and he feels the regular aug- mentation of his troubles from a cold, north- east storm. But, he is thin, pale, feeble, and his pulse is uniformly soft and slow. Such cases, whether chronic rheumatism, sciatica, or lumbago, will find most decided relief from drinking and warm bathing. But if the disease be accompanied with heat, swelling, and pain of joints, aggravated by warm applications and motion, a white tongue and hard pulse, the most direct and positive injury must result from the potations and hot bathing, unless (hesystem be brought below the grade of inordinate action. CHAPTER V. THE INTERNAL USE OF THE SARATOGA WATERS. We now proceed to offer some directions for the use of visitants, on their arrival at the Springs. The first inquiry made by the invalid after suitable lodgings are procured, is, of course, MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 31 "how shall I take the waters?" "When begin?" "What springs'?" "In what quantities and at what hours'?" These ques- tions can be solved at every corner. In the language-of the late Dr. Steele, " there are numerous persons who flock about the springs during the drinking season, without any knowledge of the composition of the waters, and little or none of their effects, who con- trive to dispose of their directions to the ig- norant and unwary, with no other effect than to injure the reputation of the water and de- stroy the prospects of the diseased." The public have long since decided, and decided correctly, that, in a vast majority of diseases, these waters should be taken with a primary regard to their cathartic properties. Although they unavoidably produce at the same time, diuretic, deobstruent, and even tonic effects, yet it is their impression on the bowels which seems to make the most palpa- ble inroad on existing disease, and at the same time, excites the attention and confi- dence of the individual. I know, full well, the risk I incur, owing to the peculiarities of individual constitutions, in .propounding a list of those diseases which I 32 NORTH'S TREATISE ON deem most fitted to the cathartic operation of the waters. Yet the reader is entitled to my opinion, such as it is ; and I therefore insert the following without much regard to noso- logical arrangement, as comprising most of the diseases likely to be benefited by an aperient course of the mineral waters. Dyspepsia in all its forms—constipation— chronic diarrhoea—haemorrhoids—-jaundice— billiary calculi—palsy, without inflammation of the brain—hysteria—hypochondriasis— neuralgia, or nerve-ache, whether seated in the face, stomach, liver, bowels, uterus, or extremities—chronic catarrh—humid asth- ma—nervous palpitations—enlargement of the liver and spleen—incontinence of urine —gravel—leuconhcea—irritable uterus—cu- taneous eruptions—rheumatism—rheumatic enlargement, and stiffness of the joints— diabetes—prostrate and stationary condition after acute diseases—dropsies—vertigo—pe- riodical headache—spinal irritation—stric- ture of rectum. The next question is, what spring shall be selected 1 With very little knowledge of medicine, any one can perceive that two per- sons, who are laboring under the same chro- MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 33 nic disease, owing to their individual pecu- liarities of constitution, recover in the use of very dissimilar remedies. Physicians have given the hard name of idiosyncrasy, or diathesis, to this peculiarity of constitution ; and it is, that the proper waters and baths should be adapted to the diathesis of each in- dividual, that brings so many to consult the physicians of this place. By referring to the third chapter, it will be perceived that there is a great difference in the stimulating and bracing qualities of the various fountains ; one pr two of them con- taining little iron, while the Putnam spring eontainssevengrainstothegallon. Although I have already said that chemical analysis can never be tantamount to a scrutinizing and guarded observation of medicinal effects ; I can yet truly say that, from eight years' ex- perience, I have found a most striking coin- cidence between these two modes of discrim- ination. If the invalid is liable to fever, heat, or dryness of skin—of a full habit—if he bears abstinence well—if bleeding, calomel and salts are beneficial—if tonic and stimulating medicines and heating diet injure him-—and, 34 NORTH'S TREATISE ON above all, if his physician has frequently told him that his pulse is generally hard and in- compressible—be may safely conclude his diathesis to be inflammatory, and should re- sort to Congress or Iodine Spring for his morning potation. On the contrary, if he has a cool, pale skin—is little irritated by medicines—bears bleeding and other modes of reducing, badly takes tonics well—does well on a generous meat-diet—and has a soft, slow pulse : he may pay his addresses at once to the Pavilion or Putnam fountain, or the other chalybeate springs, drinking in the morning and throughout the day. Should the waters, in either case, prove too stimulating, the patient will discover it by gradual loss of appetite, sense of fulness, general oppression, feverishness, and some- times, cholera morbus. In this predicament, the invalid often loses the whole expense and trouble of his journey by fleeing homeward in a panic; when a couple of days' abstinence from the water and from food, saline medi- cines and antimonials, and, in some rare in- stances, bleeding, will most invariably re- move the " Water Storm" and allow the MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 35 patient to finish a proper treatment at the Springs. The proper time to take these waters, as a cathartic, is in the morning and in the morn- ing only. The reasons appear to me to be obvious. There has elapsed a period of six- teen hours since the principal meal of the preceding day, and eleven hours from the re- past of the evening. In people of weak or irritable stomachs, this is the only time in the twenty-four hours in which the digestive organs are not engaged in the solution and absorption of aliment. This, then, is the pre- cise period to interpose a mild, exhilarating, and efficient cathartic ; and this should be taken so early and in such quantities, as thoroughly to evacuate all the remains of the preceding day's digestion, and to make so much impression on the mucous membranes of the alimentary canal as to rectify the pro- cess of secretion itself. This is the true Abernethean road to health to multitudes of bilious and dyspeptic inva- lids ; and will stand the most approved me- thod of medication, notwithstanding the nu- merous and laudable efforts that are made by the fraternity to discover a better way. 36 NORTH'S TREATISE ON lioni one to three pints is the proper quantity. In some rare cases of females, however, the stomach has not the capacity to contain even one pint before breakfast. There are many men, on the contrary, who take eight andeven ten half pints in the morn- ing with ease and comfort. Whatever be the quantity that is ultimately found necessary by each person, it should be taken in three po- tions and with short intervals between, occu- pying thirty or forty minutes in all. Brisk exercise by walking or otherwise is desirable during this time and for a short period after- wards. And it is proper that at least an hour, and better an hour and a half, should elapse between the last potation and breakfast. I knew an intelligent gentleman in the spring of 1839, when the mornings were quite cold, dress at four, walk nearly half a mile to the spring, finish drinking, and return to his bed, where he became thoroughly warm in season to allow him a walk after the sun was up and before breakfast. By patients of feeble stomach and low tem- perature, the contents of a well corked bottle which has stood in the lodging room over night, can be taken during the process of MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 37 dressing, after which the walk to the spring will prepare them for the remaining potion. Or, the recjuisite quantity can be brought from the spring in the morning, and the bottles im- mersed in a kettle of warm water a few min- utes previous to drinking. Although a con- siderable quantity of the carbonic acid es- capes, the water tastes much better than one would expect who has not tried it. Yet the invalid should never be deterred by indolence, irresolution or imaginary fears from going to the spring ; as it is incompara- bly better to take the beverage from the foun- tain in the midst of the absorbing and even picturesque scenes of the " dipping room," and to take it fresh, too, from the bosom of the earth. The apprehension that valuable elementary principles may possibly escape from the bottle, and that there are ingredients in mineral waters that the present chemical processes have never appreciated, will appear less absurd the more it is reflected upon. Intelligent individuals have recovered here in three or four weeks while drinking at the springs, who during the preceding months have been able just to hold their disease at bay by a free use of the Congress water in 38 NORTH'S TREATISE ON bottles at home. 1 have a number of such cases on record, and would introduce them did my prescribed limits permit. Now is it sup- posable that the air and amusements of Sara- toga could make this striking difference ? Or is there an energy and a health-giving power in the medicine in the exact constitution and locality which nature assigns it, that are not to be found when it has been some time sepa- t rated from the place of its original formation 1 In concluding the subject of the cathartic effects of these water:-; it should be added, that in case six or eight tumblers in the morning prove inadequate to produce the desired ob- ject, instead of adding to the quantity during the day, the attempt should be wholly relin- quished till the following morning. It will not then be expedient to increase the quantity of water, but to aid its operation by some thorough, cathartic medicine. If the patient be of full habit, blue pills taken several eve- nings on going to bed, may be suitable; or active doses of calomel, two or three times at the same hour. A table-spoonful of Epsom salts, or a dose of calcined magnesia, may be taken at bedtime or with the first tumbler in the morning. MINERAL WATERS AND BATHS. 39 In feeble habits, some of the compound, gum-resinous pills, or a few grains of rhubarb, may be preferable. Whatever article is se- lected as an auxiliary remedy, enough should be taken to ensure thorough operations, after which in general the water alone will be pre- ferable. CHAPTER VI. THE USE OF SARATOGA WATERS AS AN ALTERATIVE. By alterative medicines are meant all reme- dial agents that restore health to the system in a gradual, imperceptible manner, without any marked sensations or uncommon evacua- tions during their operation. So great a majority of the complaints that appear at these springs require a free and co- pious use of the water in the morning, that the possibility of their being so taken as to prove directly alterative and tonic, without their ordinary cathartic effects, may be whol- ly unknown to many of the visitants. That these waters could be taken from one to two tumblers before each meal and at the 40 NORTH'S TREATISE ON hour of rest—not as a purgative—but ex- pressly to be retained as long as possible in the circulating mass, and in this way gradu- ally to produce a new condition of the solids and fluids, improving the strength, appetite and color, regulating the secretions of the stomach, bowels, liver, kidneys,