The following “Article” was read before the “American Medical Association” at its late meeting, held in Philadelphia, Pa., June, 1876, by Dr. W. F. Barr, who has, at our urgent solicitation, kindly permitted us to use it Ha-ihis pamphlet: SEVEN SPRINGS IRON AND ALUM MASS, OR compounjKferruginous mass. By W. F. Barr, M. D., of Abingdon, Virginia, Member of the A merican Medical Association; one of the Vice-Presidents of the Medical Society of Virginia; ex-President and now Corresponding Secretary of the Abingdon Academy of Medicine : Honorary member of the Medical Society of Wythe County, Va.; Physician to the Alms House and to the Prison of Washington County, Va., etc., &c. A NEW MEDICINE It has been remarked, and daily repeated, that “there is nothing new under the sun.” This may be true, and it is equally true that it has taken many years before the mind of man, with all its powers of discovery and invention, has been enabled to obtain information on subjects that are very old. For instance, Iron and Alum are old remedies, but new combinations have been frequently made, their therapeutical properties well ascertained, and their application to' diseases been successfully tested. It is, therefore, unnecessary at the present time, to write an Essay either on the medicinal virtues and properties of Iron and Alum, or the mineral waters from which they are obtained ; nor is it necessary or proper that time should be consumed in alluding to any changes which may have taken place in the blood. It is my purpose to contribute something practical, founded on correct scientific principles, long since established by experiments now unnecessary to repeat. Theory, reason, principle are necessary “in their place,” but “without experience all precon- ceived theory would be vain and useless.” Works on Therapeutics teach the effect of Iron, Alum, Soda, Potash, Magnesia, and other medicines contained in the one now under consideration. I wish now to invite the attention of the pro- fession to a new prepaiation—or combination—of these medicines. It is known in this section of the State, in which it is manufactured, as “Seven SpringsIron and Alum Mass,” or “Compound Ferruginous Mass.” 2 SEVEN SPRINGS IRON AND ALUM MASS. It is procured by evaporating the Water from “seven Mineral Springs,” in Washington county, Va. The analysis of Professor J. W. Mallet, of the University of Virginia, which is given below, finds it to contain Iron, Alum, Magnesia, Lime, Lithia, Nickle, Man- ganese, Copper and Zinc : ANALYSIS By Prof. J. W. Mallet, of the University of Virginia. The Mass appears as a stiff dough, or soft solid, of light gray color, and marked acid reaction to test-paper. The contents of sev- eral bottles having been thoroughly mixed, the following composition was found for the mixture: In 100 Pabts. Aluminum sulphate 15.215 Ferric sulphate (per sul. iron)... 4.028 Ferrous sulphate (protosul. iron) 412 Nickle sulphate 102 Cobalt sulphate 014 Manganese sulphate 257 Copper sulphate 008 Zinc sulphate 301 Magnesium sulphate 10.000 Strontium sulphate trace Calcium sulphate 17.538 In 100 Pabts. Potassium sulphate 000 Sodium sulphate 22G Lithium sulphate 019 Ammonium sulphate 022 Sodium chloride 320 Calcium fluoride trace C tlcium phosphate trace Silica 1.004 Organic matter 123 Water 42.938 99.709 From the above analysis, it will be observed that the “Mass” con- tains some of our best mineral tonics and the alkalies. It has been within the past few years extensively and successfully used in the treatment of different diseases by physicians throughout Virginia. It possesses tonic and alterative properties, and is applicable in all cases of nervous or muscular debility, and in which it is desired to im- prove an impoverished condition of the blood. It is therefore ben- eficial in Dyspepsia, Constipation, Chronic Bronchitis, Rheumatism, Neuralgia, Sick and Nervous Headache, Chronic Diarrlieea, Chronic Dysentery, Erysipelas, Amenorrhoea, Menorrhagia, Dysmenorrhcea, Ausemia and Chlorosis, and diseases following Typhoid, Intermit- tent and Remittent Fevers, Chills and Fevers, or such diseases as are ciused by malaria. But, as I stated, I intended to contribute some- thing practical. I will proceed to report some cases of interest treated and cured by this Medicine. Case 1—Dyspepsia. Mrs. J., age 26; of delicate constitution ; ner- vous and debilitated, acidity and burning of the stomach ; pyrosis, tongue furred with yellow coating ; but little appetite ; pulse regular, but weak and frequent; bowels irregular, sometimes costive, at other times acted on several times a day ; sleeps but little; suffers fre- REPORT OF CASES BY W. F. BARR, M. D. 3 quently with headache ; catamenia irregular, returning at periods of four, five, and six weeks, the discharge at one time being little, at another profuse. She had a miscarriage about one year ago, (May 1875). I had prescribed for her tincture chloride of iron, quinine, strychnine, bismuth and good diet, such as would agree with her; regular outdoor exercise. Under this treatment she did not im- prove. I then prescribed for her the Iron and Alum Mass, a pill three times a day half an hour after eating. After using this for five or six weeks she was cured. Case 2d—Dyspepsia. Mrs. M.,—age 50; nervous temperament; appetite generally good; tongue clean, with exception posterior portion slightly covered with yellow coating; rarely ever suffered with headache ; acidity and burning sensation in the stomach ; sour eructations; costive; pulse regular, 76 per minute: had been for several years suffering with cervical endo-metritis, of which she had been relieved. I had given her an occasional dose of blue pill, fol- lowed by rhubarb or magnesia, carbonate of soda, phosphate of soda, bicarb potash, wine of pepsin, containing bismuth and nux- vomica, Fowler’s solution of arsenic, gentian and colv.mba. But all to no effect. I then prescribed the Iron and Alum Mass, and also the water of the springs, and she was cured. Case 3d.—Indigestion. Mr. C.,—age 47. This gentleman com- plained of nothing but a feeling of fulness of the stomach after eat- ing. His appetite was good, bowels regular, pulse regular, 76 per minute ; slept well; kidneys and bladder acting well, in healthy condition ; but after each meal he stated that he woirld feel as if a large lump was in his stomach. He commenced using the Iron and Alum Mass, which I directed him to continue. He did so, and is now entirely relieved. Case 4th—Sleeplessness. Rev. J. A.,—age 26 ; nervo-bilious temperament; well educated, of sedentary habits ; had not had any attack of sickness, but is of a delicate constitution, very nervous ; was afraid of everything, or any noise that could not be easily ac- counted for, which condition had existed and continued for about two years ; used tobacco—smoked and chewed ; appetite good but irregular, sometimes ravenous, especially after getting sound sleep : tongue coated with yellow fur (no sourness or acidity of the stom- ach) belching after eating, or drinking water ; fullness and heaviness of the stomach ; difficulty of breathing, so much so that he thought he had asthma ; inclined to costiveness, which was prevented by ex- ercise and the habit of going to stool regularly ; urinary organs in 4 SEVEN SPRINGS IRON AND ALUM MASS. healthy condition. His chief trouble was Sleeplessness, so much so that sleep only followed exhaustion or sleeping in strange rooms ; pulse regular, 76 per minute ; temperature natural. He had not taken any medicine with which to procure sleep, but had taken pep- sin, strychnine and bismuth for dyspeptic symptoms. He was put on the use of the Iron and Alum Mass, and after taking it for two or three weeks was cured, and remains so now, six months after he was cured. Case 5th—Amenorrhoea. Miss had her menses suppressed for several months; she had no particular symptoms of disease that required special treatment; appetite good, pulse regular, bowels reg- ularly operated on. Prescribed Iron and Alum Mass, and after using it for a few weeks was relieved. Case 6th—Irregular Menstruation. Mbs , nervo-bilious temperament; appetite good ; pulse regxxlar ; bowels regular ; well educated and refined, and although at times, after slight exposure to cold, becomes irregular in her menstruation, she would be “unwell” every two or three weeks, but after using the Iron and Alum Mass, was in a short time relieved. Case 7th—Mr. T. C, age 38, entered the Confederate Army at the age of 23; was wounded 17th March, 1863, the ball entering the epigastrium, making its exit left of the lower lumbar vetebne, near the kidneys; was unable to move for five days and nights ; was vei'y much debilitated for a year, although his general health was good and returned to the army, and reported for duty 22d May, 1864 ; was in an engagement or fight every day until the 28th of May, when he received a gunshot wound in the left ankle joint with a minnie ball, by an accidental shot from the gun of a member of the sime company, in an engagement with the Federal toops at Hall’s shop, near Ennon church, Hanover county, Va. The ball entered the ankle and lodged in its ante.ior part. The foot was amputated at the ankle joint. He remained in Jackson Hospital, near Richmond, until the fol- lowing August, when he returned to his home, near Abingdon, Ya. The stump did not heal, but would suppurate about once a month for about two years ; afterward, at intervals of several years. He remained debilitated from the suppuration and drainage of the stump, though he weighed 180 lbs. For eight years all remedies failed to heal the stump. Different physicians, as well as myself, were called upon to treat the case. The pain in the stump was constant, and at times violent., so much so that he requested me and others to ampu- REPORT OF CASES BY W. F. BARK, M. D. 5 tate the leg above the ankle joint. I saw him frequently. At lest he was put upon the use of the Seven Springs Iron and Alum Mass. He took a pill three times a day, and after drying and pulverizing some, would sprinkle on the sore pretty freely twice a day, and over this applied an ointment similar to resin-cerate (it being composed of tallow, beeswax and resin). In less than ten weeks the stump was entirely healed, and has remained so for four years, the stump being covered with sound, healthy skin. His general health is good, tongue clean, appetite excellent, bowels regular, skin of natural tempera- ture, pulse regular, (70 per min.), and weighing about 18G lbs.; sleeps well and is entirely free from pain. Case 8th.—I am indebted to Dr. G. W. Semple, of Hampton, Va., for reporting this case. From a letter dated May 27th, 1876,1 take the liberty of making the following extract; “I have used tl:e remedy (Iron and Alum Mass) as a Tonic and Alterative in several cases, to great advantage, finding it to correspond well, in its therapeutical action, to the description in the circular. The most beneficial use of it I have made was in the case of an infant who, after having had summer complaint, took syphilis from its nurse, which went on to tertiary symptoms, and left it the most emaciated and debilitated little creature I ever beheld. It checked the diarrhoea, that seemed amenable to no other treatment; improved its appetite, and with the aid of Lacto-peptine restored digestion and made a cure of a case which nothing but the unflagging faith of the mother induced me to treat.” From a letter written by Dr. Semple, dated Dec, 27th, 1875, I take the liberty of making the following extract: “I have used the phial of Iron and Alum Mass with very great advantage- I gave it to , and it acted most admirably. Her appetite, which had been nil for many months, was quickly improved and soon fully restored, and her constipated bowels became regular, whilst the urine, which had generally been loaded with uric acid, became clear; and whilst taking it she had no attack of nephritic colic, to which she had been subject. She was suffering from disease of the posterior nares, with pharyngitis and slight laryngitis, which had grown no better from varied applications I had made, and many suggested by Piofessor . These, too, seem to have been much benefitted by its use as a gargle, and to wash out the nares, but more, perhaps, by its effects on her appetite and nutrition- Suffering from cough, and tendency to, or rather with, symptoms of incipient tuberculosis scrofulosis, the cough has been greatly relieved, and the other symptoms seem to retrograde with the improvement in general health and increase of weight.” 6 SEVEN SPRINGS IRON AND ALUM MASS. Dr. Semple is an experienced and talented physician, and all who know him will fully appreciate his opinion on any medical subject. From a letter written by Dr. C. Hardy, of Columbu9, Miss., I take the following extract: “I regard the Seven Springs Iron and Alum Mass a very valuable medicinal agent. I know of no other remedy that combines more happily Tonic, Alterative and Diuretic proper- ties. I myself had been a victim to dyspepsia for many years, and the use of a few bottles has restored me to perfect health.” Dr. Wm. White, an intelligent and well-read physician of Abing- don, Va., writes: “I have used the Iron and Alum Mass, as made from the waters of the Seven Springs, and cheerfully add my testimony of its value in scrofulous affections and some of the diseases of females. I deem it unnecessary to give in detail the number of cases in which it has been used by me. In those cases of dysmen- orrlicea, where there is a functional disturbance of the organ, and dependent upon the general condition of the health, as indigestion, constipation of the bow’els, torpidity of the liver, &c., I have found it to be of much value.” Dr. E. M. Campbell, a talented and experienced physician of this place, of upwards of twenty five years’ practice, in a letter pub- lished in the Virginia Medical Monthly of June, 187G, sajs: “I regard it as a most valuable addition to our list of remedies. * * I have seen many cases of a scrofulous nature where the benefit derived from the use of the Water and Mass made horn the same, was most strikrng.” The Abingdon Academy of Medicine, Abingdon, Washington Co., Va., adopted the following resolution: “The Fellows of tl is Academy of Medicine regard the waters of the Seven Springs as efficient and valuable, and the Maes manufac- tured therefrom as a valuable contribution to Materia Meclica, and especially adapted to many diseases, and condition to which the accompanying analysis would indicate its application.” I deem it unnecessary to report any more cases, and add further testimony in favor of the great value of this new medicine. It may, however, be proper to state that it, like many other medicines, has a different effect on the system, according to the size of the dose taken. Small doses, from two to five grains, act as an aht ingerrt, and in larger doses it will act as an ajer.ent or purgative. In doses of from 10 to 30 grains it acts as a Tonic, Alterative and Diuretic.