ARMY  MEDICAL LIBRARY

          WASHINGTON

             Founded 1836
Section
Number /./  O_0_  (#J^
         Fobm 113c, W. D., S. G. O.
3—10543    (Ravised June 13, 1936) 
 DUE TWO WEEKS FROM LAST DATE
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MINERAL SPRINGS
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THE
MINERAL  SPRINGS
WESTERN VIRGINIA:
REMARKS ON THEIR USE,
DISEASES TO WHICH THEY ARE APPLICABLE.


                  /
BY  WILLIAM BURKE.
             hi
  "Quemvis ut hoc tnallem de iis qui essent idonei sascipere

quam me: vie quam neminem."—Cic.
||0*6-<2-
    NEW-YORK :


WILEY AND PUTNAM.

       1842.
»  »   -  • • 
WBI
  Entered according to an Act of Congress, in the year 1842, by
                   WILEY AND PUTNAM,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District
                        of New-York,
 J. P. Wright, Printer,
18 New street, New-York. 
CONTENTS.
 Introduction.................................................page 1
 General Remarks................................................ 12
 Dyspepsia......................................................... 32
 Aliment............................................................ 37
 Treatment......................................................... 40
 Mineral Waters ................................................. 44
 Warm Springs ..............................  .................... 51
 Hot Springs...................................................... 63
 Sweet Springs................................................... 84
 Red Spring....................................................... 90
 The Skin......................................................... 92
 White Sulphur Springs ....................................... 99
 Red Sulphur Springs ..........................................124
 Hayes' Analysis of the Red Sulphur......................128
 Phthisis............................................................157
 Is Consumption curable ?.....................................165
 Dr. Huntt on the Red Sulphur..............................184
 Laryngitis.........................................................233
 Bronchitis.........................................................240
 Hypertrophy of the Heart....................................216
 Kidneys and Bladder..........................................248
 Uterus..............................................................~.")1
 Diseases of the Liver..........................................2.">3
 Chronic Diarrhoea..............................................256
 Salt Sulphur Springs......................t...................258
 Blue Sulphur Springs.........................................281
Dagger's,  or Dibrell's Springs...............................2i?7
Alum Spring.....................................................291
                 1* 
   O* The public attention, but more especially that of
the medical profession, is invited to the elaborate Analysis
of the Red Sulphur Spring, by Aug. A. Hayes, Esq., of
Roxbury Laboratory,  Massachusetts,  which satisfactorily
solves the hitherto mysterious causes of the peculiar and
extraordinary agency of that water,  now placed beyond
the reach of scepticism.                        W.  B. 
INTRODUCTION.
 ' The writer  sincerely wishes  that  some
more  competent" person had undertaken the
task which he proposes to himself in the fol-
lowing pages.  As it is the opinion of many
of his friends, however, that his position has
given  him advantages for observation of the
properties and correct application  of the Vir-
ginia  Springs, which few have possessed, and
those  friends have urged him to lay those
views before the Public, he will essay to treat
the subject in as clear, impartial, and common
sense a manner,  as his capacity will admit.
The writer will neither  wilfully exaggerate,
nor aught set down in malice ; nor will he
make any statement of facts,  of the truth of
which he is not personally assured, either of
his own knowledge, or on information derived
from sources worthy of credit.  His opinions 
8
INTRODUCTION.
on many points may possibly be controverted,
and will, of course, receive just that amount
of attention to which the reader may deem
them entitled ; but  they are honestly enter-
tained, and will be  freely  and candidly ex-
pressed, without  prejudice or prepossession,
and with becoming diffidence.
  There are detached accounts of several of
the Virginia Springs, which have been ex-
tremely useful in directing public attention to
those valuable agents; but there is no work
that treats of them as a group, except, perhaps,
the very valuable work of " Bell on Baths and
Mineral Waters," some facetious epistles in-
dited by " Peregrine Prolix," and a brief notice
of each Spring by Col. T. II. Perkins of Bos-
ton, in his Introduction to the pamphlet on
the Red Sulphur Springs by Dr.  Huntt, of
which,  with characteristic  benevolence,  he
caused two thousand copies to be printed at
his own expense, and circulated at the North.
On no subject is  there, indeed, greater igno-
rance, whether as regards the distinguishing
characteristic of each Spring,  its properties
and proper use, or as regards the  accommo
dations and  other subjects of inquiry.   In 
               INTRODUCTION.            9

most cases, the visiter leaves a distant  home
either for the "Virginia Springs," or  some
particular Spring; but in either case with very
indefinite ideas about them.   He very natu-
rally supposes that, when he gets  into their
vicinity, he will be enabled  to procure all the
information he desires ; but here, alas ! he is
doomed  to  disappointment; and he will be
fortunate if he be not made  the dupe of some
designing knave, who is interested in mislead-
ing  him, by exaggerated  commendations of
some particular establishment, or  by injurious
and false statements with  regard  to others.
Misrepresentation seems reduced  to a system,
and reports are set afloat, which, though often
evidently absurd, gain credence for the time,
and answer all the purposes of the unprincipled
propagators.  This  partisan  warfare is carried
on, not by the proprietors, who are too respect-
able, and intelligent  to pursue so impolitic and
unwarrantable a course, but by underlings and
loafers, who are irresponsible, and utterly re-
gardless  of the consequences of their impos-
ture.
  Nor can  the stranger  always  rely on the
professional advice which is so freely obtruded 
10
INTRODUCTION.
upon him. We have known invalids persuaded
to submit themselves to a course of medical
treatment by boasting promises of cure, and
who absolutely have not been  permitted to
touch that for which they came  hundreds of
miles ;  but  have been blistered and cupped,
and leeched, and depleted both of circulating
fluids and  circulating medium.  These re-
marks are made  not with a view of affecting
the character of any individual, but as an act
of justice to the stranger, who may thereby be
induced to make a more strict inquiry before
he commits  himself to the advice and direc-
tions of a man who may either be incompe-
tent or unprincipled.
  There may be  in other states and nations
mineral waters analogous to most of those in
Western Virginia ; but they are usually " few
and far between ;" and it may be asserted, that
in no section of  the civilized globe is  there
such a variety in the same space. They may
and will be temporarily depressed by the uni-
versal declension of prosperity; but should
that  prosperity again revive, and the legisla-
ture  prove alive to the true interests of the
State, and connect the different  Springs with 
INTRODUCTION.
11
each other, and with the James River improve-
ment, by fine macadamized roads, and extend
those roads to the boundaries of Tennessee
and  Southern Kentucky, and also to Guyan-
dotte and Barkersburg, those Springs will not
only become intrinsically of immense value,
but it is difficult  to estimate  the increase of
revenue and wealth which that portion of the
State, now comparatively  unprofitable,  will
produce.  Many years will not have elapsed
before England and France will annually send
multitudes of invalids to those unrivalled foun-
tains, and we shall see those beautiful valleys
teeming with living beings from every quarter
of the globe.  They only want to be known
to be appreciated, and it is scarcely possible
that some man of  capability and reputation
will not illustrate their superiority, and attract
to them universal attention.   The ambition
of the writer moves within a more circum-
scribed sphere.  If a solitary individual, whose
eye  may rest on these pages, shall chance to
bless his labours, they will be amply compen-
sated. 
CHAPTER I.
  Among the numerous advantages bestowed
on Virginia by a bountiful Providence, there
are perhaps none more important than the
salubrity of climate and rich  profusion of
mineral waters of its transmontane territory.
The happy combinations of these blessings,
added  to its central position,  will not only
make Western Virginia the great Mecca of
invalid pilgrims, but its pellucid fountains, its
beautiful villas, its secluded glens and majes-
tic  mountains, and the rich  drapery of its
noble forests,  will ever attract to it the ad-
mirers of Nature's own workmanship.
  England has  her Bath, France her Aix la
Chapelle, and New-York her Saratoga—places
of fashionable resort, that present varied at-
tractions to the fancies of those who  live for
admiration and the excitements attendant on
dissipation; but they want that calm repose,
that freedom from restraint, that  omission of
conventional usages, which render the society 
GENERAL REMARKS.         13
of our Virginia Springs so delightful.  Who
would not rather luxuriate  in  imagination
with the inimitable  Scott round the copse-
grown precincts  of  St. Ronan's Well, and
contemplate at leisure the various phases and
eccentricities of human character, portrayed
in this, amongst the most graphic of his crea-
tions ;  or even repose with Frank Tyrrel, for
a season, at the,solitary manse of the Cleikum,
enjoying the comfortable housewifery of the
notable Mrs. Dods, than engage in the routine
of follies  and absurd ceremonies which con-
stitute the pleasures of  a fashionable water-
ing-place ?
   Whensoever the whiz of the steam-engine
shall  have invaded the  solitary  grandeur of
our mountain defiles, then will the charms of
our scenery and society deteriorate under the
ruthless  hands of a utilitarian  generation.
The luxuries and conveniences of the present
age  have introduced among us diseases to
which former ages were strangers ;  and had
not the science of medicine  fortunately kept
pace  with our progress in  degeneracy,  the
havoc of the destroyer would have been fright-
ful.   But there is a vast proportion of human
              2 
14   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

maladies beyond the reach of medical skill,
and to  which Nature alone, that kindest and
most beneficent  physician,  can administer
relief.
  It is  in this condition that Mineral Springs
are sought  after, and  in which it becomes
desirable to the invalid to know whither he
must direct  his course to effect the object he
has in view.  The Springs of Western Vir-
ginia  form  a group unrivalled  in  this, and
perhaps in  any other  country.  Great and
acknowledged,  however,  as  is  their power
over disease, they would be shorn of much of
their virtue, had Nature  placed them in less
favourable  situations.   Had  they all  been
congregated in the city of New-York, it is
doubtful whether  they would sustain  their
present reputation.   There is much truth in
the following remarks of Sir Walter Scott:—
" The  invalid often finds relief from his com-
plaints, less from the  healing virtues of the
Spa itself, than because his system of ordinary
life undergoes an entire change ; in his being
removed from his leger and account books—
from his  legal folios and progresses of title
deeds—from his counters and shelves, from 
            GENERAL REMARKS.         15

 whatever else forms  the main course of his
 constant anxiety at home,  destroys his appe-
 tite, mars the custom  of his exercise, deranges
 the digestive powers,  and clogs the springs of
 life."  Who would look for a riddance from
 his ailments in the murky atmosphere  and
 crowded streets  of a city ?  It is the sweet
 country alone that can invigorate  the ener-
 vated constitution, raise the drooping spirits,
 calm the agitated mind, inspire the finer emo-
 tions of the heart, and impart elasticity and
 strength to the moral  and physical powers.
   The citizen, like a boy let loose from school,
 rambles over the fields, ascends the hills, culls
 wild flowers, and is  filled with  admiration,
 pleasure, and cheerfulness.   The manner of
 travelling, too, has much to do with the  suc-
 cess of his efforts to recover health.   Steam-
 boats and railroads have indeed greatly ex-
 pedited locomotion ; but like all labour-saving
 machinery, it is doubtful whether they have
 added much to the sum of comfort, security,
 or happiness.    Suppose a  dyspeptic to start
 from Boston for Winchester in Virginia, what
 possible advantage can  he  derive from these
seven hundred miles  of travel ?   He gains 
16   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
nothing by change of air, for he is all the time
inhaling the  unwholesome atmosphere of a
crowded vehicle.   The velocity of motion
precludes his enjoying  the  successions of
scenery, and he reaches the end of his journey
moody,  selfish, and discontented;  but now
arrived in the garden spot of Virginia, he de-
sires to proceed to the Springs, he enters  the
sociable stage-coach, rolls along the beautiful  v ,
valley of the Shenandoah, is jolted into an
appetite, and then the novelty of the scenery,
the raillery,  fun, and anecdote of the passen-   I
gers, the landing at the taverns, the abusing
of coffee and biscuits, and long-legged chick-
ens—these, and a thousand other charms of a
stage-coach, make him forget his acid stomach,
and are worth all the pills of Peters, and Beck-
with, and Brandreth, and  all  other nostrums
of empiricism.  Now he winds up the ascent
of the Warm Spring Mountain, amidst thou-
sands of clusters of the splendid Rhododen-
dron and the gay blossoms of the Laurestinus,
and ever-varying Azalia ; now he reaches the
summit and  sees the world  beneath  him—
mountains, and valleys, and pastures, houses,
and men, and cattle—all in miniature; he is 
            GENERAL REMARKS.         17

 delighted and wrapt in meditation, and he in-
 wardly adores the majesty of that Being who
 is enthroned in the heavens, and who looketh
 do.nt on the high places of the earth.   The
 inward man  is  now changed ; the feverish,
 melancholy invalid,  weaned  from his own
 gloomy reflections and anticipations of evil,
 is once more converted into a social  being,
 sympathizing in the feelings and pleasures of
 others,  and charmed out of fancied or real
 sufferings.
   If there is a scene on this earth  calculated
 to strike the  mind with reverential awe, and
 raise the soul from  grovelling, thoughts of
 self to the contemplation of the God of Na-
 ture, it is to  stand on the highest top of  the
 highest mountain, and to look down on pig-
 my man and his ant-hill habitations, and then
 to reflect on his vanities  and his follies, and
 the end of all—his little resting-place. Never
 shall we forget the emotions produced  on us
 by our visit to the summit of  the  Salt-Pond
 Mountain, in Giles  county, some  years ago,
 with a few friends.  Our horizon was extend-
ed to 100 miles around,  limited only by the
azure arch of heaven, and presenting to the
             2* 
18    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

eye  the  most  sublime  spectacle which  the
human mind can conceive—
                        " It was a hill
  Of Paradise the highest; from whose top
  The hemisphere of earth, in clearest view
  Stretched out to the amplest reach of prospect lay.
  Not higher that hill, nor wider looking round,
  Whereon, for different cause, the tempter set
  Our second Adam, in the wilderness;
  To show him all Earth's kingdoms and their glory."
  Having conducted our readers to the sum-
mit of the Warm Spring Mountain, where the
air is pure and invigorating, and whence the
comfortable hotel  of Col. Fry may be  seen
through the stinted  and shattered chestnuts;
his olfactories seem already to snuff the galej
laden with the grateful perfume of the fragrant
coffee, and his mouth perhaps waters  for hot
muffins and buckwheat cakes.  Whilst thus
anticipating a more solid repast, it is like in-
flicting upon him the punishment of Tantalus,
to lay before him a chapter of Dietetics ; yet
the plan of our little work requires that we
should treat of this and various other prelimi-
nary matters, before  we introduce  him into
the sanctum of mine host. 
CHAPTER II
   Within the range of the Virginia Springs,
the climate is much more uniform than that
of the Atlantic region in the same latitudes.
The severe north-easterly winds which extend
over the tide-water districts, are  arrested in
their westward career  by  the  Blue Ridge
Mountains;  or if  they partially affect  the
Valley of Virginia, the Alleghanies oppose an
insuperable barrier.   The air, though keen,
is always  pure, bracing, and exhilarating;
nor is  there ever that  alteration  of a close,
suffocating atmosphere,  with  intense cold,
which is so well known on  the Atlantic bor-
ders, and proves so depressing to the vital
powers.  Extremes of cold or heat are seldom
felt, and  may be considered exceptions to the
general character of the  climate.
  We  have never seen, at our residence, the
thermometer  lower than 6° below zero, and
we  have been  used to consider 6° above as
very cold weather.   The greatest degree of 
20    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

heat we have observed has  been  97°, but it
seldom exceeds 8G°, and but for a few hours
at mid-day.  The usual summer atmosphere
is from 57 to 78°.   The nights and mornings
are  almost always agreeably cool.   It will be
readily seen, that where there is often a dif-
ference of 30° in the temperature of the morn-
ing and  afternoon, it  becomes necessary to
adapt the clothing  to the different  conditions
of the atmosphere ; it would therefore be im-
prudent to go abroad  in the early morning
clothed in nankeen. Our fogs, always indices
of fair weather, though  perfectly free from
miasma, are nevertheless humid, and render
woollen clothing perfectly comfortable. With
this  precaution there is nothing  to prevent
early rising and exercise.
  The rainy season in the Virginia Moun-
tains sets  in about the 15th of March,  and
sometimes extends  into the  month of June.
The season for  using the waters may be said
to commence  on the  1st June, and terminate
on the 1st October.  About the 15th Septem-
ber, it is not uncommon to see a  heavy rain
succeeded by two  or three  cold nights and
white frosts.   The visiters,  alarmed  by this 
            GENERAL REMARKS.         21

little  equinoctical  demonstration,  disperse
like migrating birds, and leave those beauti-
ful valleys, lately the abodes of gaiety, solita-
ry and silent as  a  deserted  village.  They
have scarcely crossed the Blue Ridge, how-
ever,  ere they find  that  their apprehensions
of a permanent  change in the weather were
premature,  and now  earnestly  wish  them-
selves  back again  among  the scenes  and
friends from which  they have just departed.
In truth, the most  delightful period of the year
in the  Mountains,  is that between  the 20th
September and 1 st November.  It is the sweet
season of Indian summer, when the woods are
clothed in  their most gorgeous livery,—when
Nature seems to enjoy a calm repose, as if to
prepare herself for the buffeting storm of the
approaching winter.
           " Attemper'd suns arise
  Sweet beam'd, and  shedding oft through lucid clouds
  A pleasing calm; while broad, and brown, below,
  Extensive harvests hang the heavy head.
  Rich, silent, deep, they stand ; for not a gale
  Rolls its light billows o'er the bending plain ;
  A calm of plenty !"
   The society which frequents the Virginia
Springs is  for the most  part  the elite  of the 
22    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

country.   Saratoga and other  northern vva- ^
tering-places  being  accessible by railroads ffl
to persons in every condition of life, and at
a trifling expense, the mass  of visiters is of
course composed of all sorts of people.  The
knowledge of this fact makes men distrustful
of each other's  standing, and  shy  and  re-
served.  At the Virginia Springs, on the con- ■
trary, there is an entire  feeling  of equality, a  1
relinquishment of  formality,  a  republican  I
simplicity of manners, a recriprocity of  kind,
courteous, but unpretending civility, and an
easy, unaffected, social  intercourse, that ren-   '■,
ders those places peculiarly agreeable.  No   <
one. can have failed to observe  the difference
between large and small communities, as re-
gards sociability; the  latter, being  in  some
degree individually dependent on each other,
cultivate kindly feelings,  and form strong
attachments, whilst it is not uncommon for the
resident of a city to be ignorant of the name
of his  next-door  neighbour.   So  it  is at the
Mineral Springs : the more populous  they are,
the less sociable.
  The great novelist from whom we  have
already quoted, makes  indeed  the following 
GENERAL REMARKS.
23
correct observations on this  subject: " The
society of such places is regulated by  their
very nature, upon a scheme much more in-
dulgent than that which rules  the world of
fashion, and the narrow circles of rank in the
metropolis.  The titles of rank,  birth, and
fortune arc received at a watering-place with-
out any very strict  investigation, as adequate
to the purpose for which they are preferred ;
and as the situation infers a certain  degree
of intimacy and sociability for the time, so, to
whatever height it may have been carried, it
is not understood to imply any duration be-
yond the length of the season.  No  intima-
cy can be supposed more  close for  the time,
and more transitory in its endurance,  than
that which is  attached to a watering-place
acquaintance."  Yet there are numerous in-
stances  of permanent and ardent  friendship
originating among  those rural retreats, and
even the wily  Cupid not unfrequently speeds
his arrows from the shade of some majestic
oak.  " Hither come also," says the same au-
thor, " the unprincipled gamester, the impos-
ter,  the  heartless fortune-hunter.   But, be-
sides these characters,  who are actually dan- 
24    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
gerous to society, a well-frequented watering- ^
place generally exhibits  for  the amusement ^
of the  company,  and  the  perplexity and
amusement  of the  more  inexperienced,  a
sprinkling  of persons  called by the  news-
papers,   eccentric   characters—individuals,
namely, who either  from some real derange-
ment of their understanding, or, much more
frequently, from an excess of vanity, are am-
bitious of distinguishing themselves by some
striking peculiarity in dress or  address, con-
versation  or manners, and perhaps  in  all.
" Hither too comes the saunterer, anxious to
get rid of that wearisome attendant, himself;
and  thither  come both  males  and  females,  I
who, upon a  different  principle, desire  to
make themselves double."
  Whatever may be the  motive of the visit,
whether pleasure or health, it will  readily be
conceded that a cheerful spirit, a disposition
to be pleased, sympathy with the feelings of
others, an  entire suspension of care, and a
fondness for rural scenes and enjoyments, are
essential  to the  attainment of the  object.*
The moody, selfish  man can  have  no real
enjoyment,  his heart beats  in  unison with 
GENERAL REMARKS.
25
no human being,  he measures  mankind by
the standard of his own sullen disposition, he
is suspicious  of motive  when treated with
cordiality, and when not caressed, he deems his
merits overlooked, his pride is wounded, and
he takes revenge  upon the world by shroud-
ing himself in his offended dignity and bury-
ing himself  alive in  his own  melancholy
reflections.  Whilst we shed a tear for a  fel-
low-being afflicted with so direful a malady
of the mind, we should pray God to bless us
with a happy spirit of cheerfulness.
   The invalid is especially prone to be low-
spirited and  home-sick, and when  the latter
feeling  possesses  the mind, farewell to  im-
provement !  All the faculties of the mind
seem  absorbed in that  one thought,  and  it is
utterly useless to oppose  it.   So frequent is
it, indeed, especially in mothers who have
left young children, and so  easily excited,
that we have for several  years forbidden  the
song called " Home," to be sung or played by
the band.
   Let us therefore advise  those who visit the
Springs for health, to do so with the firm re-
solution not to make themselves  unhappy
           3 
26    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.     V

about home ; or if they distrust their  own L
firmness, let them take with them the objects |
of so much  interest;  otherwise their friends
and themselves will be disappointed of happy
results.   The man who considers the vast
influence of the passions and the affections
over that  wonderfully  contrived machine,
the human  body, will  not think that we
have attached too  much importance to this  '
matter.   Would to God, it  were more  gene-
rally taken into view  by medical men ! and
we should then  see  many of the maladies
that are now treated, and aggravated too, by
the villanous compounds of the apothecary,
readily yield to the more rational prescription
of pure air, free exercise, freedom from care,
and cheerful society.
  Having thus far indulged in  generalities,
it  is now time we should  be more specific.
Although we must reserve detail until we
come to treat  of the  different diseases for
which  those Springs are  visited, and  the
water adapted to  each case, yet there are ge-
neral principles which apply to all watering-
places, and to the mode of using them, and
thus far we shall treat this matter at present. 
CHAPTER III.
   When Menenius Agrippa quelled the tur-
bulent passions  of the Roman populace by
repeating to them the beautiful fable of the
stomach  and members of the human body,
he set forth, in bold relief, the advantages
derived through the agency of that great re-
servoir, from which proceeds the elements of
that vital current  that swells the muscular
arm of the patriot, and tinges  with a modest
blush  the maiden's  cheek;  but if it  had
equally suited his purpose,  he  might  have
depicted,  with no less truthfulness,  the wan
cheek, the tottering step,  the sunken  eye, the
palsied tongue, produced by pampering  it to
repletion.  The  functions of this organ are
so important that we are tempted for the be-
nefit of our unprofessional readers, to give a
brief account of its normal and pathological
condition :
   " The stomach [Paris] is immediately situ-
ated below the diaphragm, the cardia being 
28    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

nearly opposite to the middle of the vertebrae ;
from thence it bulges out to the left side, the
great curvature coming forward  and down-
ward ; it then passes on to  the  right  side,
rising  upwards so  that the  pylorus is  not
much farther  from the diaphragm than the
eardia ; when therefore a man is  in an erect
posture,  substances  must   ascend  to  pass
through the pylorus.   In its  flaccid  state, it
occupies the epigastrium  and  part of the
left hypochondrium ; whilst, when distended,
it exchanges its flattened for a rounded form,
and fills almost completely  the  hypochon-
drium ;  the  greater  curvature   descending
towards  the  umbilicus,   particularly  on
the left side ; on  account  of the resistance
opposed by the  vertebral column,  the pos-
terior  surface  of  the  stomach  cannot dis-
tend itself in that  direction;  this viscus is
therefore wholly carried forward.   The dila-
tation of the stomach  produces very impor-
tant changes  in  the  abdomen;  the total
volume of the cavity augments; the belly
juts out; the abdominal viscera are compress-
ed with greater force.  At the same time the
diaphragm is pressed towards the  breast, and 
GENERAL REMARKS.
29
it descends with some difficulty; whence the
respiratory motions are impeded.
   The'villous,  or mucous membrane has a
whitish-red appearance,  and presents a sin-
gular velvet-like appearance,  from which  it
has  derived its  name ;  not being elastic,  it
has  numerous folds, or ruga:, which  supply
this  deficiency,  and serve to accommodate
the capacity of the stomach to the bulk of its
contents, and, at the same time, to retain the
aliment until it is duly elaborated.
   The stomach is abundantly vascular;  in-
deed, it may be  observed, that few structures
receive so much  blood  as  this  organ ; four
arteries, three  of which are considerable, are
exclusively devoted to  its service,  and  their
several branches  communicate  most freely
with each  other, in all directions, by innu-
merable anastomoses ;  and  being tortuous,
they can then accommodate themselves to the
full  and empty states of the cavity. -Nor are
its nerves less numerous ; they are composed
of the  eighth pair and a great many filaments
proceeding from the solar plexus of the great
sympathetic.
            3* 
 30    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.      %

   The different secretions concerned in diges- i
 tion are thus enumerated by Dr. Paris :       i
   1st. Saliva, which is formed by  glands
 whose excretory ducts open into the mouth.
 2.  Mucous matter, which results  from  the
 action of numerous follicles situated  in  the
 interior of the cheeks and palate,  upon  the
 back of the tongue, on the anterior aspect of
 velum, and on the uvula.   3.  Gastric juice,  m
 formed by the glands in the stomach, and  the
 mucus secreted by its membrane.  4. Mucus
 intestinalis,  or proper juice of the duodenum
 and small intestines. 5. Bile, which being se-
 creted in the liver and rendered more stimula-   \
 ting in the gall bladder, is afterwards carried
 into the  duodenum.  6. Pancreatic juice,
 which is secreted in the pancreas, and carried
 into the duodenum along with the  bile ; to
 which  perhaps may be  added the watery
fluids thrown into the intestines by the  ex-
halants.
  If we may be allowed to conceive a con-
dition of the system in which all the organs
of digestion accurately  perform  their respec-.
tive  functions,  and harmonize  beautifully
with each other, like the  well-oiled  mechan- 
GENERAL REMARKS.
31
 ism of the steam  engine, we may well be-
 lieve it a state of perfect health ; and indeed,
 it were difficult to  connect with such a con-
 dition the idea of disease in  any organ of the
 human body.  But as in the engine, besides
 the wear and  tear incident to matter, an un-
 skilful and careless engineer, who  piles on
 fuel, raises the steam above the point of secu-
 rity, and neglects  the safety valve, hazards
 a concussion awful  to contemplate, or by de-
 laying some  repair which at first  sight may
 seem of minor importance, deranges first one
 portion of the machinery, then another, until
 all the parts become finally implicated  and
 obstructed.  So it is with the human frame ;
 if from any  cause it  receives a shock which
 overpowers its vital energies, it succumbs to
 the blow.  If any of its organs  become so
 impaired as  to  produce diseased  function,
 a continuance of that condition will in  the
 end react upon the  organ, involve other or-
 gans and their functions in the derangement,
 and finally undermine the constitution.
   It would  be  foreign  from our purpose to
treat of the various diseases that may affect
the digestive apparatus; we shall, therefore, 
 32   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

 confine  ourselves  to the  consideration  of
 Dyspepsia, which, as being the most general,
 is also the most important.
   Dyspepsia is most generally produced  by
 a series of errors in diet;  in which, of course,
 we include improper  potations.  Every man
 has  a certain  degree  of vital energy allotted
 to  his organism,  which  constitutes health,
 and an  addition,  or diminution therefrom,
 elevates or depresses that power so as to con-
 stitute an  abnormal  condition.  Let us  ap-
 ply this principle to the stomach, and we can
 very readily understand how  it becomes dis-
 eased.    Let us  suppose the vital energy
 possessed by the stomach of A., who labours
 on the canal, to be 20, and that of B., a mer-
 chant, who is all day hanging over his desk,
 to be 15  ; now A.  rises at dawn, works until
 8  a. m.,  in all probability  has roused into
 action all the organs of secretion and excretion,
 and has a relish and appetite for his break-
 fast.   He  needs  no  buckwheat cakes float-
 ing  in butter, to excite his salivary glands,
 and he is contented with a plain but plentiful
meal.  B., on  the  contrary, sleeps, or rather
lies  in  bed,  until  7 a.   m.; and  dresses  in 
DYSPEPSIA.             33
time to meet his family at the breakfast-table
at 8 : his bowels are constipated, his liver is
torpid, his kidneys are sluggish, his skin is
dry, he  has a morbid appetite,  he  eats hot
rolls and butter, beefsteak,  or mutton-chops,
or  likely enough both.   A dish of stewed
oysters  now makes its appearance, and he
cannot resist the temptation ; some  three or
four varieties of hot cakes arc served,  and it
is necessary to  decide  which is the  best; so
he must have  a nibble  at  all.   Two  large
cups of coffee accompany his meal, and he is
literally  crammed to repletion.   A. returns to
his work, whistles or sings all the while, or
cracks a joke with his  fellow-labourer;  at
noon he  eats his allowance of bread and fat
bacon, at night he again  takes  his homely
meal, and at a proper hour retires to  his hard
couch  and enjoys a  depth of slumber that
kings may envy.  B. after the meal through
which we  have  already  accompanied him,
walks to his counting-room, pores  over his
books, has a note to pay in bank for which he
is not prepared, is fretted or perhaps  alarmed,
leaves his  business at 3 p. m., takes a glass
of toddy to stimulate his appetite, eats turtle 
34     SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

soup, corned beef, roast mutton,  baked oys-
ters, boiled fish, wild ducks, bread, potatoes, ,
hominey, celery, variety pudding, crackers
and cheese, apples and raisins ; he drinks ale,
champagne,  sherry,  and perhaps  port.  He
lounges  away his time until  supper, takes
tea or coffee, writes until late, and then retires ;
to repose !   Now observe that the conduct of
these two persons is in the inverse ratio of
their vital powers.  While A. invigorates his
digestive organs  by just that degree of  sti-
mulation which  Nature informs  him  is  ne-
cessary to repair the waste by the  different
excretions,  B.  over-stimulates his already
feeble  stomach, gives it  a  task  to perform
which would oppress even the vigorous pow-
ers  of A. and by  a succession  of such abuses
lays the  foundation of maladies as grievous
as they are unmanageable.  Will  it be said
that we have caricatured the habits of B. ?
Alas !  there are  too many  fac-similes,  and
we  are very certain that we might, with truth,
have given  a deeper colouring to the picture,
in many cases.
  If B., whose digestive powers may perhaps
be adequate to a slice of cold bread and half 
DYSPEPSIA.
35
 a pound of roast beef or mutton, takes the
 varied  dinner we have  already described, or
 something like it; he applies an over-stimulus
 to the nervous expansion ; the nerves notify
 the  brain that an additional supply of blood
 is necessary ; the brain sends its orders to the
 heart, the heart gathers its fluid from the ca-
 pillary  system, and, guided by anxiety of the
 nerves, directs the vital current to the mucous
 coat; next follows plethora, or engorgement;
 then succeeds irritation of the gastric nerves ;
 then follows an excessive  secretion of acid
 and of air ; next  comes pain,  flatulence,
 heart-burn, and innumerable ills.
   A succession of irritations will produce in-
flammation, and then follows a defective or
 highly  vitiated secretion ;  the pyloric glands
 no longer discriminate between the portions
 of chyme  presented  to  them—it enters  the
 duodenum in a vitiated condition—the nerves
 of this  organ demand the sympathies of  the
 liver and pancreas—these are overstimulated,
 irritated, engorged ; they send  through their
ducts highly concentrated and acrid secre-
tions, the mucous coat of the intestines is irri-
tated, and the result  is mucous diarrhoea or 
36    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

dysentery.   In another portion of this work,
we  have to consider the effects produced by
disease  of  the  stomach  on  the lungs and
bronchi; we will, therefore, for the present
only remark, that they are both extensive and
important.   The heart, the kidneys, the skin,
and the brain, are all most seriously affected
by derangement  of the digestive apparatus.
  We recognise, nevertheless,  a condition of
the stomach the reverse of plethora,  which is
usually  produced by excessive hemorrhages.
In this condition, a certain amount of nourish-
ment and stimulation is not only proper but
necessary.   We  should err greatly, however,
were we, in cases of anemia, to push nutri-
tion beyond the vital powers of the organ. 
CHAPTER IV.
                 ALIMENT.

   In a work like  this it is not to be expect-
 ed, nor indeed is it  necessary, to classify the
 different  aliments used by man ;  we  shall
 therefore  content  ourselves with  brief re^
 marks on the  more important  articles.   Of
 these the  first  and most important is bread.
 Bread is composed of the farina of wheat, In-
 dian  corn, rye, barley, oats, buckwheat,  rice.
 The  first  named is decidedly the most valu-
 able as an article of nutrition, and is accord-
 ingly the  most prized.  It is fermented with
 barm or yeast, and seasoned with a little  salt.
 If used as an article of diet, it should be suf-
 fered to become what the English call stale,
 that is, it should be kept twenty-four to forty-
 eight hours before  use.
  What is termed " dyspepsia bread" is the
whole product of  the grain without bolting,
and is found  more aperient than that made
             4 
38     SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

from the finest flour.  The next most import-
ant bread to  an  American  is  that which is
made from Indian corn.   This is best  made
in the very simplest  manner, with water and
a little salt.  This bread, to be at all palatable,
must  be eaten hot, and with butter or  some
oily substance. Hence arises the most serious
objection to it as an article of diet; used, how-
ever, in the form  of  mush or hasty-pudding,
with sweet milk,  it is a valuable article  of re-
gimen.  Rye  used by itself is too close and
clammy, and  therefore is well mixed  with
wheat  flour or Indian meal. Rice is a  valu-
able article, either boiled  in the grain or re-
duced  to flour and  mixed with wheat  flour.
The greatest  objection to it is  a tendency to
constipate.
  Barley and  oats are so little used in this
country as  aliments, that it is unnecessary to
notice them further.
  The meats  most favorable to digestion are
venison, mutton, beef, turkey, pheasants, com-
mon fowls.   Any of these  may be  eaten in
moderate quantity, once a day,  by almost any
patient in whose case animal  food is at all
admissible.  Corned beef is an  article totally 
ALIMENT.
39
different from fresh, and should be forbidden,
as should also bacon, unless as a mere relish.
Eggs should be used sparingly whilst using
Sulphur Waters, and even milk is generally
too freely used.   Pastry of all kinds is inad-
missible.  Well-boiled vegetables may gene-
rally be used, with the exception of cabbage,
potatoes, or  such others as may disagree in
each case.
   Fruits do not agree well whilst using Sul-
phur  Waters.  They produce  acidity, heart-
burn, and, not unfrequently, troublesome  di-
arrhoea.
   Wine, and all spirituous liquors, are  gene-
rally injurious and improper;  there are, how-
ever, sometimes cases in which their stimulus
may be admissible.   As a general rule, little
fluid  should be taken except the  Mineral
Water. 
CHAPTER V.
               TREATMENT.
                                           \
  The  first consideration of the invalid af- *
ter reaching his destination, should be to as-  ,
certain whether his  system is  in  a suitable  i
condition for commencing the use  of the wa-
ter.   It is quite probable  that after  a long
journey he may be constipated, that his liver
may have become  torpid,  that he may  be
over-excited by fatigue;  in short,  there are
many circumstances, any  of which would
render it imprudent to enter hastily on a free
use of those powerful agents.  If these condi-  •
tions of the system exist, let the alimentary
canal be freely evacuated by medicine adapted  '
to the case, and a strict regimen instituted for
forty-eight hours, or until oppression or excite-
ment is subdued, and then let the water be
taken in such a way as that it shall gradually
insinuate itself through the system, and act as
an alterative on the different functions of the 
TREATMENT.
41
economy.  The safest plan, in serious cases,
is to  obtain the advice of a physician, with
the precautions already hinted at;  but, phy-
sician or no physician, we say to the patient,
festina lente.   Be  not influenced by the go-
aheadism so characteristic of our country; but
go to work calmly  and systematically.
   Jf the weather and other circumstances ad-
mit, rise about 6, throw  your cloak on your
shoulders, visit the  Spring, take a small-sized
tumbler of water, move about in a brisk walk;
drink again at 7, and once more at half past 7;
breakfast at 8, (what that breakfast should be,
you may infer from what we have said on diet.)
After breakfast, if you can command a carriage,
take a drive, otherwise a slow ride on horse-
back until  10.   From 10 to 12, enjoy yourself
in conversation or other mode most agreeable
to you—cat no luncheon—at 12 take a glass of
water, at 1  take another.   From 12 to 1^, take
exercise at ten  pins, quoits, billiards ; dine at
2, (see  remarks on  diet);  amuse  yourself iryi
social intercourse until 5.  Take a driv^ *l&f'
or walk, until 6—drink a glass of water; exer-
cise until  7—take  a cracker and a  cup of
black tea.   If you are a dancer, you may en-
              4* 
42   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

joy it, but  in  moderation,  until 9—quaff a
glass of water from the Spring, and retire to
your room.
  If you find  yourself improving,  remain at
the fountain ;  but if, after a fair trial  of  the
water, taken after your system has been pro- If
perly prepared, and  accompanied  by some-  «
thing like the  course we have  suggested,  the  ;
symptoms of your disease become aggravated,
or  new  ones  supervene, then you should  i
abandon the use of the water, and try to find
another better adapted to your case.  But if,  f
by an act of imprudence, you render that
noxious  which under  more auspicious  cir-
cumstances would have been salutary, you
should  not visit upon  it the blame which is
due to  your  own indiscretion.  It  has been  i
made a  question how long a mineral water  ||
 can be used with advantage.  Different views  jl
 are entertained on this  subject, but we are
 convinced that no general rule can be given
 when so much depends on the disease, its in-
 tensity, the habits of the individual, and the
 effects which are produced.   Some  recom.-
 mend a change at the end of a fortnight or
 three weeks, alleging that a certain degree of 
TREATMENT.
43
congestion of the liver takes place about that
time, the tongue  becomes furred, and  head-
ache supervenes.  If such symptoms  arise,
there  can be no  doubt the use of the  water
should be immediately intermitted until they
arc removed ; but if strict inquiry be made, it
will be found that the patient has either been
strongly predisposed to this condition of  the
liver, and has not prepared his system proper-
ly, or has swallowed down large quantities of
water and indulged his  appetite, or perhaps
has taken one glass of sulphur water and two
of brandy and water ;  but it will readily be
seen that these are abuses and argue nothing.
In truth, we sincerely believe that, in almost
every case, the whole  season may  be  spent
with advantage at any Spring that  suits  the
patient's case ; and we are sure  that in cases
of long continued disease, it is folly to expect
a radical cure in a few days or weeks. 
CHAPTER VI.
MINERAL WATERS.
  Natural waters, when they are so far im-
pregnated with foreign substances as to have
a decided taste and a  peculiar operation  on
the animal  economy, are  called  Mineral
 Waters.
  These are necessarily very diversified in their
natures,  but they are conveniently arranged
for description  under the four heads of Car-
bonated, Sulphuretted, Chalybeate, and Sa-
line.
  Carbonated waters are characterized by con-
taining an excess of carbonic acid, which gives
them a sparkling appearance, and the  power
of reddening  litmus  paper.   These waters
frequently contain  the carbonates of lime,
magnesia, and  iron, which are held in solu-
tion  by  the excess of carbonic  acid.  The

  * United States Dispensatory : Wood & Bache, 1839. 
             mineral waters.          45

Waters of Seltzer, Spa, and Pyrmont, in Eu-
rope, and of the  Sweet Springs in Virginia,
belong to this class.
   Sulphuretted Waters are such as contain
sulphuretted hydrogen, and are distinguished
by the peculiar fetid smell of that gas, and by
their yielding a  brown precipitate with the
salts of lead or silver.   Examples of this kind
of mineral water are furnished by the waters
of Aix la Chapelle and Harrowgate in  Eu-
rope ; and those of the White, Red, and  Salt
Sulphur Springs in Virginia.
   Chalybeate  Waters are  characterized by a
strong  inky taste,  and by striking a black
colour with the infusion of galls, and a blue
one with ferrocyanate of potassa.  The iron is
generally in the state of protocarbonate, held
in solution  by excess of carbonic  acid.  By
standing, the carbonic acid is given off, and
the protoxide becomes a hydrated sesquioxide
of an ocreous colour, and is  precipitated.  The
principal chalybeate waters are those of Tun-
bridge and Brighton in England, and Balston,
Spa, Bedford, and Brandywine, in the United
States.
   Saline Waters are those the prominent 
46    springs of western Virginia.

properties of which depend on saline impreg^
nation.   The salts most usually present are
the sulphates, muriates, and  carbonates  of
lime,  magnesia,  and  soda.   The  principal;
saline waters are those of Seidlitz in Bohemia,
Cheltenham and Bath  in England, and Har-
rodsburg and Saratoga in the United States.
  Carbonated Seltzer.—In a wine pint: car*
borne acid, 17 cubic inches.  Solid  contents^
carbonate of soda, 4 grs.; carbonate of mag-
nesia, 5 ; carbonate of lime, 3;  chloride  of I
sodium, 17; total,  29 grs.
  Sulphuretted.—Aix la Chapelle.  In a wineil
pint: sulphuretted hydrogen, 5-5 cubic inches. ■
Solid contents:  carbonate  of  soda, 12 grs.;*
carbonate of lime,  4-75 ;  chloride of sodium,
5 ;  total, 20-75 grs.
  Harrowgate Old Well.—In a wine gallon,
gaseous contents :  sulphuretted hydrogen, 14
cubic inches ; carbonic acid, 4-25 ;  nitrogenKj
8 ;  carbonated  hydrogen, 4-15 ;  total, 30-4
cubic inches.  Solid  contents :  chloride  of
sodium, 752 grs. ;  muriate of lime, 65-75;
muriate of magnesia, 29-2 ; bi-carbonate  of
soda, 12-8 ;' total, 859-75. 
MINERAL WATERS.           47
  White Sulphur.*—In a wine gallon, gaseous
contents :   sulphuretted hydrogen, 2-5 cubic
inches ; carbonic  acid, 2 ;  oxygen,  1-448 j
nitrogen, 3-552 ;  total, 9-5.  Solid contents in
a pint: sulphate of magnesia, 5-588 grs.;  sul-
phate of lime, 7-744 ; carbonate of lime, 1-150;
muriate of lime, 0-201; chloride of  sodium,
0-180 ; oxide of iron,  a trace ;  loss, 0-410 ;
total, 15-276 grs.—( Wm. B. Rogers.)
   Red Sulphur.—" I herewith send you an
account of my analysis of the large Spring:—
Temperature 58°, (54°  by the corrected ther-
mometer.)  Gaseous  contents in an imperial
gallon : sulphuretted hydrogen,  4-54  cubic
inches ; carbonic acid, 8-73 ;  nitrogen,  4-23.
   Solid contents of 32 cubic inches of water,

   * The analysis of the White Sulphur is, like all others
that precede  it, taken from the United States Dispensa-
tory,  published in 1839. The  analysis of the Hot Springs
by Professor  Rogers was given to a  member of  the au-
thor's family by  Dr. Goode, and that of the Red Sulphur
ia an extract from a letter of  Professor Rogers, which the
author feels authorised to make public.  It will be readily
seen, however, that all the  analyses furnished by Prof. R.
are mere outlines, and there is good reason to believe that
he will now  very shortly favour the public with his long
contemplated work on the Geology and Mineral Waters
of Virginia. 
48   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
1-23 grs., consisting of sulphate of soda, lime
and magnesia, carbonate of lime and muriate
of soda.
  Besides these ingredients,  the water con-
tains in considerable quantities a peculiar or-
ganic substance, which mingled with sulphur,
is deposited on the sides of the Spring, and
seems to increase by a species of vital growth.
This matter is analogous to what occurs in
several European springs, and has lately been
designated by the name of Glairine.  Its ex-
istence in the Red  Sulphur so  largely may be
an important cause of the valuable and pecu-
liar agencies of the water.  You may state
the substance of what I have  mentioned re-
specting the contents of the Spring, and  urge
particularly the peculiar value of the water
in pulmonary disease, on account of its free-
dom from irritating saline matters, its low
temperature, the quantity of sulph. hydrogen,
and  probably  the  large  amount of organic
matter which it holds dissolved."
  Hot Springs.—The free gas in boiler con-
tained  in 100  cubic  inches :  nitrogen, 1-16 ;
oxygen, 0-20;  total, 7-41.   There is also a
trace of hydrogen in the water, but not a suf- 
MINERAL WATERS.
49
ficient quantity to admit of  determination.
The saline ingredients in 64 cubic inches are
as follows:	
Carbonate of lime,	4-82 grs.
Sulphate of lime,	1-52
Sulphate of soda,	0-92
Sulphate of magnesia	,0-57
Muriate of soda,	0-37
Silica,	005
                Total,      8-25
A trace of oxide of iron and muriates of mag-
nesia and lime.
   A comparative  glance  at  our  Mineral
Springs and  those  of Europe,  will in most
instances show a large  excess  of gases and
salt  in favour of the  latter ;  but this is  the
very reason that our  waters  probably excel
all others on the globe.  Their relative quan-
tities being more happily adjusted, and their
combinations more elaborate, the effect upon
the economy  is more in accordance with the
operations of nature.  It is  not the visible
effect upon the excretions that is the most
valuable in a Mineral Water, but that gentle,
imperceptible  influence whickriEiffouBfcany
*..
V 
50    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
     ft
apparent disturbance of the visceral functions,
clears the jaundiced complexion, animates the J
languid eye, invigorates the enfeebled diges-
tion, cheers the drooping spirits, moistens the
hot, husky, acrid  skin, imparts softness and
volume and reduced quickness to the excited
circulation, calms the agitated nerves, soothes
the irritated  mucous  surfaces, gives  motionj
and  elasticity to  the  stiffened joints, and re-
stores the constitution to health and youthful;
vigour with  more certainty than  could the
fabled incantations of the Colchian sorceress.  ;
^4>«>G \\ 
             CHAPTER VII.

             WARM SPRINGS.

  Having finished our general remarks, we
beg leave to introduce our reader to our friend,
Col. John Fry, the worthy lessee and host at
the Warm Springs.  Col.  Fry is the son of
a revolutionary patriot, and of a " good stockP
He is a short, thick-set man; graceful, gay and
courteous in his  manner.  In anecdote and
story telling, he is unrivalled ; and such,
indeed,  is his fund of  the latter, that he is
sometimes compelled to have recourse to his
list by way of memorandum, as the devotee
to his beads.  It were worth the while of the
dyspeptic to spend some days with  him, if it
were  only to  laugh himself into  good hu-
mour.
  Although probably on  the shady side of
three-score years,  he  can  cut a " pigeon
icing" with the youngest and most  buoyant;
and as a ladies' man, he bears the palm from
all competitors.   But while he is lively with
r 
52    springs of western Virginia.

the gay, he can be grave with the austere, and
can accommodate himself to the dispositions
of his guests with  a facility we have  never
seen surpassed, and  which can  only be at-
tained by constant intercourse with mankind.
It is persons thus constituted  that  are  alone
suited  for tavern-keepers.  It  is an art that,
like riding or swimming,  must be learned  in
early life; and we would say  to him, who-
ever he may be, that has not been thus early
indoctrinated, exchange the pursuit for some
other more congenial avocation.
    Qui semel aspexit quantum dimissa petitis
    Preestent, mature redeat repelatque  relicta.
  " The  Hotel, according to Col. Perkins, is
150 feet  in length, built of  brick,  with a
piazza  15 feet  wide ;  the lodging chambers
are large  and the fare good."   The  accom- j
modations we  should think sufficiently ex-
tensive for 100 persons.
  The Warm Spring Bath is one of the great-l^
est subjects of curiosity in Western Virginia. ,;
We were about to attempt a description of it,
but  finding it  prepared  to our  hand  in an
interesting article  in  Bell on Baths and
Mineral Waters, we are sure it will be more  ; 
WARM SPRINGS.
53
welcome than any thing we could say on the
subject:
  " The Warm and the Hot  Springs in Vir-
ginia, and the Warm Springs in Buncombe
county, North  Carolina,  furnish delightful
natural baths for recreation and health.  The
bath at the Warm Springs, Bath Court-House,
Virginia, is of an octagonal form, and forty
feet wide from one angle to the opposite one,
and between five and six feet deep in places,
and  no where less  than four; the bottom is
gravelly.  The water of the Spring  that sup-
plies it is of the temperature of 96° Fahrenheit,
clear and transparent, and emitting  gas  in
large quantities.  Few feelings can  be more
pleasurable than those which are produced
by bathing in the water.   Here one is like a
native of the Sandwich Islands, who, after a
long absence  from home,  is at last landed on
his native shore : he plunges in the liquid
element in which he had been wont to disport
himself in his earlier days, and, by every va-
riety of attitude and gesture,  endeavours to
compensate himself for his past privations.
After a few bathings in the Warm  Springs,
gout and rheumatic cripples begin to exercise
           5* 
54   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

those joints which were immoveable as  "by
Anchylosis knit," and soon  enjoy entire ex-
emption from pain.   The more juvenile and
healthy, who bathe for pleasure, have to be
reminded of the lapse of time, and cautioned
against the undue  exercise of swimming)
which, joined to a prolonged stay in the water]
cause diaphoresis and some subsequent  lan-
guor and debility.   Two hours at a time are
allotted for the ladies to  take  the bath,  and
the same period for  the gentlemen,  and so on
through the day.  A white flag is  hoisted as
a signal  that it  is  occupied by the former,
The water can be let off at the end of every
bathing ; and so abundant is the supply,'that
the basin is soon replenished by the Spring
gushing up from the gravelly bottom.   The
basin has over it a wooden top, and is  pro
vided, on both  sides, with small  rooms^
heated, when occasion  requires it, by fires.
It is here the bathers undress and dress, and
here  an  attendant is  always  in  waiting,
Lower down  the meadow, in which is the
chief Spring which supplies the   bath just
described,  is another warm one,  the  wa-
ter of which is  reserved  for  internal  use.
1 
WARM SPRINGS.
55
 Close to it is a hydrant, from which cold cha-
 lybeate water is procured.   Near to these is
 a warm bath similar in temperature and other
 properties to the first, but of small dimensions,
 and principally intended for the use  of the
 more aged and infirm, and for children."
   We subjoin also, by way of episode, the
 very  spirited and beautiful  legend of this
 Spring given by Mr. Otis of Boston, as derived
 from the old bath-keeper, and extracted from
 his article  in  the  Southern Literary Mes-
 senger of March, 1838 :
   " A young Indian, more than two centuries
 ago, was coming from the Western valley of
 the  great  Appalachian mountains,  towards
 the waters of the East,  that opened  into the
 beautiful  bay  whose branches  touch  the
 strands of some of the mightiest marts of a
 nation that was not then in existence.  He
 had never trodden that path before,  and no-
 thing but the pride of youth, which would
 not brook  that  his brethren of other  tribes
 should triumph  over him as their inferior in
 adventure, had sustained  his manly heart so
far; for he had come, since the rising sun
first touched, that day, the mighty peaks of 
56    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

the Alleghanies, from  the  vales that lay at
their feet on the west.  He was going to carry
the voice and vote of a powerful nation to the
council-fire that was kindling on the banks
of the great water,  and he felt shame at  the
recurrence  of the idea that the place.of  the
young Appalachian Leopard could be vacant.
But the night winds  beat coldly around him,"2j
and the  way  was dark.  There had been'
rains, and the earth was damp and swampy ;•
and no grass, or fern, or heather, was at hand
with which to make  a bed  in  the bosom of
the valley  where  he  stood.  He   had not
strength  to climb  the near ran^e of  moun-
tains that drew up their summits before, as
if to shut out  all hopes  that he could accom-
plish  his ardent desire.  Weary, dispirited,
and ready to despair,  he came suddenly upon
an open  space among  the  low  underwood
that covered the  valley where he was wan-
dering, and upon  looking narrowly he ob-
served that it  was  filled with  water.   He
could see the clear  reflection  of the  brio-ht
evening star  that was just  declining  to her
rest, and that was peeping into the foun-
tain :— 
WARM SPRINGS.
57
  • Like a bride full of blushes, just lingering to take
  A last look in her mirror, at night, ere she goes.'
   " By this translucent reflection, he could per-
 ceive that the water was clear, and its depth
 he could discern by the pebbles that glistened
 in  the star-light  from the bottom.  He saw,
 too, that the water was  continually flowing
 off, and supplying a stream that ran rippling
 away  among the roots of the oaks that sur-
 rounded the spot; and as he stooped to taste
 the liquid element, he found it warm, as if
 inviting him  to  relax his  chilled limbs by
 bathing in its tepid bosom.
  "He lai^aside his bow and quiver, unstrung
 his pouch from his brawny shoulder, took off
 his mocassins, and plunged in.  A new life
 invigorated his wearied  spirit,  new strength
 seemed given to his almost  rigid nerves ; he
 swam, he dived,  he lay  prostrate upon the
 genial waves in a sort of dreaming ecstacy of
delight;  and  when the first dawn of  day
broke over the rock-crowned hill,  at the foot
of which the Spring of Strength lay enshrin-
ed,  the young Leopard  came forth from his
watery couch, and strode  proudly up the
mountain  ' where   path there was  none.' 
58    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

He was < a young  giant, rejoicing to run his
course.' Full of new fire and vigour, he man-
fully sped on his way ;  and upon the eve of
that day,  when the chiefs and the sons of
chiefs were seated around the solemn coun-
cil-fire, no  one of them all  was found more
graceful  in address, more  commanding in
manner, more pleasing in look, and sagacious ?
in  policy, than  the  young  Appalachian
Leopard  who  bathed  in  the  Spring of
Strength."
  Col. Perkins says : " The water is perfectly
transparent, and almost as buoyant as the
Dead Sea, as described by Stevens^  Bubble
are constantly rising from the bottom; the!"
fact  that when empty it takes  but fifteen
minutes to  fill it, shows the abundant supply
of this Mountain Spring."  All who have de-
scribed this noble fountain, write with enthu-
siasm ; nor is it indeed to be wondered at, for.
the world may well be challenged for its equal
Its temperature, buoyancy, refractive power,
transparency—all invest it with indescribable
luxury to the feelings and to the sight.
  The effect on the  human  form is dazzling.
Could Damon have caught  a glance at his 
WARM SPRINGS.
59
 Musidora in such a pool, it were indeed a trial
 of " love's respectful modesty" to withdraw his
 gaze—

   " Then to the flood she rush'd ; the parted flood
   Its lovely guest with closing waves received,
   And every beauty softening, every grace
   Flushing anew,  a mellow lustre shed ;
   As shines the lily, through the crystal mild ;
   Or as the rose amid the morning dew,
   Fresh from Aurora's hand, more sweetly glows."

   Thus far we have  looked on the sunny side
 of the picture  ;  we  regret that a regard to
 truth requires  us to  introduce  more of  the
 sombre than is agreeable.  Tempting, then,
 as is this  pellucid fountain, it is necessary that
 the traveller should  know there is danger in
 the  indulgence.  Experience, fatal in some
 cases, has taught this fact.
   Dr. Huntt makes the following statement:
 " On the third evening I arrived at the Warm
 Springs, a distance of two hundred and thirty
miles from Washington; and immediately after
getting out of the stage,  I plunged into  the
delightful bath  at that place, an imprudence
against which  I would earnestly caution  all
invalids, who arrive after a long journey with 
60    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

the whole system exhausted by fatigue.  The
consequence in my own case warrants me in
pronouncing  it fraught with  great danger.*
While in the  bath, its effects were very grate- jB
ful and pleasant;  but shortly after leaving it
I became chilly, and this feeling was followed >
by hot skin,  intense headache, and pain in
the chest."
  Many years ago, when afflicted with hemor-
rhages, pain in the chest, cough, quick pulse,
and other indications of pulmonary disease,
we committed a like  imprudence, and the re-
sult was precisely similar to that described by '■;
Dr. Huntt.
  We have known several  hemorrhages hv
duced by bathing in this Spring, and indeed j
where there  is predisposition, they may be
looked for with much certainty.  Would an
unmedicated  bath of 96° produce  the  same-
effect under similar circumstances ? We  are ■
sure it would not; and in such a condition
as that  of  Dr. Huntt on his arrival, we  are
certain that a plain bath of equal temperature
would have abstracted caloric from his fever-
ish, excited system, and calmed, refreshed, and
invigorated him.   We do not hear of similar 
WARM SPRINGS.
61
injury done by the bath of the same tempera-
ture at the Hot Springs.
  It is produced by the excess of nitrogen or
azotic gas in the water.  Largely over nine-
tenths of those beautiful bubbles rising from
the bottom are supposed to be of this gas; the
remainder are carbonic acid gas.  Atmospheric
air consists of 21 parts of oxygen gas, and 79
of azotic o-as.  The latter undiluted is irre-
spirable, and being in excess produces great
distress in the pulmonary apparatus.   The
lungs make  efforts to take in oxygen, the dia-
phragm is spasmodically raised, the heart is
compressed  and excited, the quality  of  the
blood itself is impaired by defective oxygena-
tion—the  lungs, or pleura, or both, become
congested  ;  rupture of blood vessels takes
place, or pleurisy, pneumonia, or irritation of
the mucous surfaces supervenes.   In a word,
such a catastrophe may be productive of in-
calculable evils.   That this is the true expla-
nation of the pathological condition produced
by the bath  is evident, when we find that re-
maining half an hour  in the house, without
bathing at all, produces similar  phenomena.
Now, in our own case, robust as we seem, we
             6 
62    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

dare not remain in the atmosphere of the
Spring fifteen minutes,  and we have  seen^
others who are affected like ourselves.
  We desire not to be understood as asserting
that the greater portion of those who enjoy the
luxury of this delightful bath,  cannot do so
with safety and advantage ; but as intimating
that the exceptions are sufficiently numerous
to justify caution in its use. 
CHAPTER VIII.
               HOT SPRINGS.

   Travelling west,  five  miles  from the
Warm Springs you reach the Hot  Springs.
This property is  owned by Dr.  Thomas
Goode, a physician of  high standing  for ta-
lents and experience, and a man in the hones-
ty of whose advice we think entire reliance
may be placed.
   Dr. G. is a tall, gentlemanly man, of great
conversational powers and extensive informa-
tion.  He is high-toned, and by some would
be termed  supercilious  in his manners ; the
remarks we made on the subject of his neigh-
bour, though not intended for him, are never-
theless applicable to his case.  His education
and early habits of life  were too high-pitched
for such an occupation, and should  serve as
an apology for any deficiency in  the art of
pleasing.
  Whatever may be the  opinion of Dr. Goode's 
64   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
 manner, however, all will acknowledge that
 his fare is excellent and plentiful, and served
 with neatness and comfort, and all his arrange-*
 ments conducive to the great object he has in
 view—the physical improvement of his  pa-
 tients.  We presume his accommodations  are
 ample for 150 persons.
   " The Hot Springs (Bell) are three in num-
 ber.  One of them is of the  temperature of
 96° Fahrenheit, and of a moderate depth, and
 sufficiently capacious for several persons  to
 bathe at a time.  Spout Bath 103.  Hot Bath
 108."
   " The temperature (Col.  Perkins)  of  the
 Spout Bath is 106°.  These baths are particu-
 larly resorted to by persons afflicted with gout,
 rheumatism, eruptions of the skin, and other
 disorders enumerated in the printed accounts j
 of the Springs.  There are two baths in which ,
 the water may be taken at six feet fall on any J
 part of the body; the column of water is three
 by four inches, and when taken at the whole
 height of the fall, must prove beneficial to rheu-
 matic patients and others where the douche
is required.  As one of the baths is capacious,
it is used as a swimming bath by the sick,  as 
HOT SPRINGS.
65
  well as those who are travelling for pleasure ;
  and afforded the writer great delight as well
  as benefit."
    It will  be seen  by the analysis of the Hot
  Springs, that they are not obnoxious  to the
  charge brought against the Warm—of an ex-
  cess of nitrogen gas ; they may, therefore, be
  used in all cases in which any water of their
  temperature is  admissible ;  but as  the  Hot
  bath is decidedly stimulating to the  human
  system, it is always proper, if not absolutely
  necessary, to obtain the best advice before we
  have recourse to so powerful an agent.  There
  .cannot be the slightest doubt  of the high cura-
  tive power of the Hot Springs, and nothing is
  more  certain than that they are destined  to
  become extensively useful in a country of
  such variable climate  as ours, and in which
  rheumatic affections  must necessarily be  so
,  general; but, on the other hand, if improperly
  applied, we know  of no agent which may pro-
  duce a greater amount of mischief.  Dr. G. is
  directly interested in having  those baths judi-
  ciously and successfully administered, and we
  have ourselves entire confidence that he has
  the ability to discriminate, and the candour to
               6* 
66    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
advise, under what circumstances they may
or may not be used.  We had written thus
far when a pamphlet entitled the « Invalid's
Guide to the Virginia Hot Springs," prepared  ;
and published by Dr. Goode, came into our
hands, and we unhesitatingly avail ourselves
of the information it contains for the benefit  ■
of our readers.
  " There are six baths at this  place, each
supplied with water from a separate Spring; ^
they range in temperature from 98 to 106 de-
grees  of heat.  The effects of these waters in' J
disease prove that they are highly medicated, '\
though they are considered by many as simple
hot water.  They are known to contain sulp.
and carb. of lime, sulp. soda  and  magnesia, \
a minute portion  of muriate of  iron, carb.
acid gas, nitrogen gas, and a trace of sulphu-
retted hydrogen  gas ; and when used inter- '
nally, the consequences are such as we might '•■
expect from our  knowledge of some of their
constituent parts."
  But the chemical composition of a mineral M
water can lead to no safe  conclusions as to its  1
medical powers.  Its most potent part may be   1
incapable of analysis, or destroyed by the pro-  I 
HOT SPRINGS.
67
 cess ;  and its  mere properties cannot  be de-
 veloped by analysis ; our only sure test  is
 experience of the actual  result when applied
 to the diseased human system.  I have been
 at the Hot Springs for six entire seasons, and
 have watched their effects on several thousand
 invalids, with  all the interest which owner-
 ship could excite ; and  the  result of my ex-
 perience is as follows :—These waters  taken
 internally, are anti-acid, mildly aperient, and
 freely diuretic  and  diaphoretic.    But  when
' used as a general bath, their effects are great,
 and excel all expectation.  They equalize an
 unbalanced circulation, and thereby restore
 the  different important parts of the system,
 when torpid,—that natural and peculiar sensi-
 bility, upon the existence of which their ca-
 pacity to perform their several functions, and
 the beneficial action of all remedies, depend ;
 they relax contracted tendons, excite the ac-
 tion of the absorbent system, promote glandu-
 lar secretion, exert a marked and  salutary
 influence over the whole biliary system, and
 often  relieve, in  a  short  time, excruciating
 pain  caused by palpable and long standing
 disease of some vital organ. 
68    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

  The following interesting letter, addressed™
to Dr. Goode, and received by us after we had
written our remarks on uterine diseases in our
article on the Red Sulphur, will be found to
coincide  with our  views of  the  important
agency of the Hot Springs in dysmemorrha-
gia, or painful menstruation.  Dr. Howard was  ,
formerly  professor of midwifery and the dis-
eases of  women and children  in the Univer-  .
sity of Maryland,  and is now professor in the
medical department of the University of Vir-  ;
ginia:—
    " University of Virginia, Dec. 10,1841.
" Dr. Thomas Goode : "
  " Dear Sir,—I have just received your letter
of the 7th inst., soliciting my opinion and ex-
perience  of the  remedial effects of the waters
of the Hot  Springs in chronic, diarrhoea and  J
difficult menstruation.                      m
  "In reply to your inquiry, I may state that  1
for many years, but most particularly for the  ^
last ten,  and during  my residence in Balti-   '
more, I  have advised all  my patients who   \
were afflicted with chronic  diarrhoea or pain-
ful menstruation, that resisted medical treat-   I
ment,  to avail  themselves of  the medical 
HOT SPRINGS.
69
powers of the Hot Springs; and I do not now
recollect of an instance, when the proper pre-
paratory measures and indispensable aux-
iliary regimen to the use of the Baths were
strictly observed and persevered in, in which
my expectations of the efficacy of the waters
were disappointed.
   " It is true that  a few cases have occurred
in which the patient returned to me without
receiving any relief, and some have claimed
my attention in which the diseases appeared
aggravated;  but in all these cases it was as-
certained, that either the preparatory measures
necessary to be adopted  previous to taking
the baths, or the auxiliary regimen to be used
simultaneously with bathing, were not rigidly
adhered to.
   " I feel constrained by the result of my ob-
servation and experience during my visit to
the Hot Springs, to state, that I believe that
those waters are so potent for injury as well
as benefit to those afflicted with  chronic di-
arrhoea or  painful menstruation,   that none
such  should use them without the advice of
a physician, conversant with their  qualities.
And physicians,  when recommending this 
70    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

watering-place to their patients, should make
them aware, that travelling and its incidents
sometimes  convert  chronic into acute affec-
tions, and that a regimen and course of medi-
cal treatment, very proper in the former state,
may be highly  improper in the  latter con-
dition.      I am respectfully yours,
                     H. Howard, M. D."

  The invalid's attention is especially invited
to the annexed  cases, as  illustrative of the
sanative effects of these waters, when properly
and perseveringly applied.

  Cases showing the benefit from the use of
      the  Waters at the Hot Springs.
  " In April, 1833,1 was seized with cholerain
a southern  climate, from which I had scarcely
recovered  when  intermittent fever attacked
me.   This continued at intervals  until Sep-
tember, when  congestive  fever  intervened,*
and  continued with great violence  for  the  :
space of nine days, and only  subsided to give
place to the intermittent again.   From  this,
morbid appetite began to prey upon  me.   The
ague alternated with a severe dysentery until 
HOT SPRINGS.            ft
 March, 1834.  Ostematous swellings of the
 lower extremities made their appearance, but
 gave  way  to the  use  of  alteratives and
 muriated tincture of iron.  I became  much
 emaciated and debilitated ;  my spleen became
 much enlarged; an  excessively morbid con-
 dition of the stomach  continued; an ungov-
 ernable craving for food of the grossest des-
 cription, and other  indigestible substances.
 In the mean time, an uncontrollable diarrhoea,
 which has  given  me more uneasiness than
 every other symptom, came on.
   "During  nearly three years every article of
 diet swallowed would ferment, produce  the
 most distressing cardialgia, and run off from
 the  bowels  by profuse watery evacuations.
 The spleen  in the left side, and swelling of
 the stomach and  intestines,  was great and
painful.  The  irritability of the alimentary
canal was so great that the smallest portions
of calomel or blue pill, combined with opiates,
would produce an hypercatharsis, sometimes
almost  fatal;  neither  food nor  medicine
agreed with me.  In this state of almost des-
pair, I visited the White Sulphur Springs, and
finding that the  water disagreed  with me, 
 72   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

 inasmuch as it  proved too drastic, I deter-1
 mined to visit the Hot Springs.
   " For the first two weeks of using the bath
 I had a  bilious dejection,  which had not oc-
 curred for eight months.  In four days' time
 my diarrhoea ceased, and my evacuations be-
 came almost healthy in complexion.  I had
 been very much annoyed  with  haemorrhoids,
 for fifteen months,  which were relieved by
 the Spout Bath in three days.  The improve-1
 ment in my complexion was so great that the
 visiters would remark, < Why, doctor, you will
 soon be well.'  My spleen  was reduced about
 one  half, the abdominal muscles became re-
 laxed and soft, my strength and activity were
 much improved, and every symptom seemed
 to give way to the use of the bath.
                 A. Y. Watson, M. D."

        " Hot Springs, 29th August, 1833.
  " In the month of January, 1806, during my
attendance on  the  Virginia  Legislature, of
which I  was then a member, I was very sorely
afflicted with an attack of inflammatory rheu-
matism ;  and about the first of  July, in the
same year, after the disease  had assumed a 
HOT SPRINGS.
73
chronic state, I arrived at the Hot Springs in
Virginia much debilitated, requiring two per-
sons to put me in and take me out of the car-
riage.  I remained at the Springs sixty-three
days, using the  bath once every day except
three.   I was weighed the day I got to the
Springs, and also on the day I left them ; and
if I was correctly  weighed, I gained  sixty
pounds in weight in sixty-three days, and re-
mained free from that complaint for upwards
of twenty years.         H. Calloway,  u
                    of Franklin County."

  " In  1826,1 had a protracted attack of bilious
fever, which  left me  in this condition.  My
stomach and bowels  being much  disordered,
accompanied with  great flatulency,  gave me
from 4 to  6  passages every  24  hours,  and
sometimes  oftener; my  stools mixed with
blood more or less, and sometimes with mat-
ter very offensive.  At length a tumor formed
in the  lower  intestine about the size of a
small walnut, attended with great heat and
itching, which ultimately  broke, and I occa-
sionally discharged considerable quantities of
blood and matter by stool.  I then thought, and
          7 
 74    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

 still think, that the whole rectum was much
 diseased, and I should be compelled to submit  I
 to an operation or fall a victim to the disease.
 In addition  to many other  sufferings, in the
 fall of 1831, I had a severe rheumatic attack,
 which pervaded my whole muscular system,
 but  was most distressing about my breast,
 chest,  bowels  and hips.   In this  situation, -
 about the first  of July  following, I went to
 the  Hot Springs barely able to  sit up,  and
 used the waters freely, drinking and bathing
 until the 30th of August, when I left them
 much  relieved in every way.  The ensuing
 summer I again returned to the Hot Springs,
 and  used the waters by drinking and bathing^
 until the last of August,  when I  returned
 home entirely relieved of bowel disease and
 nearly so of my  rheumatism.  I have again
 this  summer visited these  Springs, where I
 have been for three  weeks using the waters
 as before, and believe myself entirely relieved^
 of all my complaints, except a little stiffness |
 in my hips and back.                        1
  " The above statement is believed to be en- j
tirely correct, and if you think it will be of
 any service to you, or to sufferers in a similar J 
HOT SPRINGS.
75
 situation, you may make any use of it that
 you think proper.  Very respectfully, yours,
                  Henry Calloway.
                        August 30th, 1834.
   To Dr. Goode."

       " Hot Springs, Va.^ July 27th, 1838.
 " Dr. Thomas Goode :
   "Dear Sir,—At your request, and for the
 benefit of the afflicted, I give you as near as I
 can, a statement  of my case, which has been
 complicated and difficult to describe.  I am a
 resident of Detroit, State of Michigan. In July,
 1829,1 was attacked with a bilious fever and
 severe inflammation of the stomach,  and was
 reduced very low by bleeding and medicine.
 I remained  in a feeble state about six months,
 when an ulcer came out  on the  side of my
 ancle nearly the  size of a dollar.   This has
 continued on one or the other, and sometimes
 on both of my ancles, ever since except about
 two  months in March and April  last.  My
 legs  have been so much swelled, that I have
been compelled to bandage them to the knee,
most of the time.  About three years ago, a
rheumatic disease set in, the cords of my legs 
76    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.    M

swelled to the knees, and at times to the body,
(ittostly on the inside)  with hard lumps on
the cords frequently as large as hickory nuts,
afirl-extremely painful.
  " in this state I remained hobbling about,
confined  to my room about one-fourth of the
time, and had the advice and attendance of
our most celebrated physicians, without much
benefit,  until about the 1st of January last,- ;
when it extended  to my hips and back, and
confined me to  my bed ;  my  bowels at the
same  time became swollen, so that  a dropsy
was feared, with a soreness about the region
of the stomach and liver.  I also had the piles
very badly, and ulcers continued to form and j
break in the rectum, and pass off with my
stools with a great deal of pain.  In  this con- J
dition I remained until about the 1st of May, ;
when I was advised to try the Virginia Springs.
I arrived at the White Sulphur Springs on the
8th of June, on crutches, with one foot and
leg so much swollen that  I feared  it would
burst.
   " At the end of two weeks I was again able
to ride, when I came to the Hot Springs, and
put myself under your charge.   For the first 
HOT SPRINGS.
77
 ten days I commenced bathing I got no relief;
 my pain rather increased.  At this time there
 appeared to be a copious discharge of bile from
 the liver; and from that time my health has im-
 proved rapidly every way. The rheumatic dis-
 ease and piles are very nearly cured, the ulcers
 on my ancles assume a healthy appearance,
 and look as if they would soon heal.  The
 swellings about the bowels have subsided, and
 the pain in my stomach and liver has nearly left
 me. I would also state, that twenty-one years
 ago I divided the tendons of the left foot by a
 cut with an axe, and when it healed the cords
 seemed fast to the bone, and I have had little
 or no use of those toes since.   The effect of
 these hot baths has been to remove that stiff-
 ness, and loosen the tendons so that I can now
 move the toes quite well.
  " I have taken in the last five weeks that I
 have been here, sixteen  Sweat  and twenty
 Spout baths, and I now feel  better than at any
 time in the last five or six years.
                        Elliot  Gray."

  " In the summer of 1836 I visited the Vir-
ginia Springs, with liver disease, as stated by
             7* 
78    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

many physicians. I used the Sulphur Waters
for some time, but without any decided effect. W
I then came to the Hot Springs, and  after
using the Spout bath for a few days, the pain
in the right side, from a  dull, increased to an
acute, which induced  me  to  apply to Dr.
Goode for advice.  He gave me ten grains of
calomel, which  brought  about a most happy
change in my feelings and health ; producing
copious discharges  of dark bilious  matter,  :
when forty grains,  often before taken, pro-
duced but a limited  effect.
  " From the Hot  Springs I returned to the
White Sulphur, and  the water then acted
freely on my bowels.
             James L.  Coleman, of Geo.    «
  " Hot Springs, 14th August, 1837."

            " Hot Springs, August, 1837.    ri
" To Dr. Goode :                          I
  " Dear Sir,—I give you the following state- I
ment of my case. About ten years ago I became -
dyspeptic, and was unwell in the  usual way,
when at length I became much worse ; almost
every thing taken  in  the stomach produced '■
pain, and frequently violent spasms, which 
HOT SPRINGS.
79
threatened death.  I experienced no relief ex-
cept when under  the  influence  of calomel.
Tiring  of which,  after suffering for about
two years, I determined to try the Sulphur
Waters.
   " I commenced at the White Sulphur, but
the water disagreed with me, and  I then went
to the Salt Sulphur, understanding that the
water there  was more  purgative ;  for you
must know  that my bowels were invariably
constipated.   After using the water for two
days, I had a violent attack of spasm, which
was relieved by a hot bath.  I then came im-
mediately to the Hot Springs.  My stomach
was so much debilitated that I was compelled
to live exclusively on milk and mush, and the
like bland food.  The first meal I took at the
Hot Springs  was  milk and  mush, which
brought on pain, threatening spasm.  I went
immediately to the  Spout bath, and from that
day to this I have been entirely exempt from
the disease.   I  bathed  every day, sometimes
twice, and in a few days I was enabled to eat
of every thing at the table, including dessert
of all kinds.        Williams Carter,
                           of Hanover." 
80    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
        " Baltimore, 12th February, 1839.
  " Dear  Sir,—In compliance with your re-
quest, I transmit you an account of my case.
In the latter part of 1836, I had a violent at-
tack of cholica pictonum, or white lead dis-
ease ; which, in despite of the most energetic
treatment, terminated in a paralysis  of my
arms and  hands, which  deprived me  almost
entirely of the use of them, with great emacia-
tion and general debility and prostration.
  " All  remedies failing, my medical advisers
recommended a visit to the Virginia Springs.
Thither I  repaired in June, 1837, and  passed
two weeks at the White  Sulphur Spring, but
without any evident effect from the use of the
waters.  At the end of two weeks I removed
to the Hot Springs, and  commenced the use
of the Spout bath immediately.  In a few days
there  was evident improvement in  my con-
dition, and after six weeks (using the Spout
bath every day) I found the use of my hands
and  arms and  my general  health restored.
The use of my hands and  arms has never
failed me since, nor does there appear to be a
vestige of  my disease in my system.
  " My friends  and myself attribute  my re-
 
HOT SPRINGS.            81
covery entirely to  the  waters  of the Hot
Springs.  Very respectfully and truly yours,
                   Charles S. Lewis."

            " Lynchburg, Feb.  5th, 1839.
  " Dear Sir,—I received on yesterday your
message from  Mr. Seth Ward ; it affords me
pleasure to  comply.
  " In the years 1828 and '29 my daughter had
a severe, protracted,  and complicated illness.
The whole  of  one side became greatly para-
lyzed,  and so continued  for  about  fifteen
months.  In the season of 1829, we took her
to the Hot  Springs; she used the bath be-
tween  three and  four  weeks.   During the
latter part  of  the visit,  she was enabled to
move the toes  in a small degree.   Under the
direction of her physician, Dr. G. A.  Rose,
she gradually improved, but remained unable
to move alone.  The next season, A. D. 1830,
we took her again to the Hot Springs.
  " By the  use of the bath she soon became
able to walk;  her general health gradually
improved.  She is now healthy and active.
     " Yours respectfully,   Wm. S. Reid.
To Dr. Goode." 
82    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
         " Hot Springs, 7th August, 1833.   1
" Dr. Goode :
  u girj__The case of rheumatism you desired  I
the particulars of was that of Mr. J— C—,
of Charleston, S. C, aged eighteen years.  He
had been seriously afflicted for some time be-
fore he was  put under my protection, which
was on the  17th day of June, when we  left
Charleston for the Virginia Springs.  We ar-
rived at the White  Sulphur on the 28th of
June,  and remained there until the 9th of
July, taking from eight to  ten tumblers of the
water daily.
  " On the 9th of July we reached the Hot
Springs, and on the 10th he commenced with
the baths, taking the Spout bath one day and
the Sweat bath the next, alternately, until the
22d of September.  From the time Mr. C—
left Charleston until  he arrived at the White M
Sulphur, he  was as helpless as a child, unablejM
to dress or undress  himself, and was carried jfl
in arms or a chair whenever it was necessaryjjH
to move him.  Three or four days before he
left the White Sulphur, he was able to hob-
ble a  short  distance by the aid of a pair of
crutches, and in two weeks after taking the 
HOT SPRINGS.
83
baths at the Hot Springs he could walk about
without them.   He arrived in Charleston
about the  latter end of September ; and dur-
ing a heavy blow, assisted in furling the top-
sail of a schooner  in which he was a cabin
passenger.
  « I left Mr. C—  in good health on the 6th
of July last, on the wharf in Charleston, when
I embarked on my present excursion.
        " I am respectfully,
              " Your obedient servant,
                         J. Lockwood." 
CHAPTER IX.
             SWEET SPRINGS.

  The Sweet Springs "are situated on the head j
waters of Dunlap's Creek in the county of
Monroe,  in  a delightful valley, the  air of
which is pure and dry.
  " These waters  (Col. Perkins) were  dis-
covered before any of the Mineral Waters in
this part of Virginia were known, in 1764.
In 1773, they  began to be noticed as a  wa-
tering-place, and in 1774 were  analysed by
Bishop Madison, the President of William and
Mary College, but which analysis I have not
seen.  The  water is at 73° Fahrenheit;  the ,
baths for both  male and  female visiters are
under the same roof, divided  by a brick wall
in the  centre,  and each  about twenty  feet™
square, and  the  water four and a half to  five
feet deep.  In plunging into these waters  a
slight shudder,  which in my case, and indeed]
generally, was  succeeded by  a  delightful 
SWEET SPRINGS.
85
glow.  One is very much induced to linger
in the bath, but  five to ten minutes,  in most
cases, are found  better than longer."
   The residence of the visiters has hitherto
been in the cabins or log-houses which were
formerly the dwellings of all who visited any
of the Virginia Springs.  Dr. Lewis has just
now finished a house which  for architectural
beauty and accommodations is superior to any
house built for the same use in the United
States, that I have seen.  It is built of brick,
has two stories besides  a basement, which is
appropriated  to   kitchen, bake  and  store
rooms, with offices for various purposes ;  the
piazza 17 feet wide, the whole length of the
building, stands on brick arches, and is reach-
ed by three sets of steps of black walnut,  the
width of each of the porticos by which  the
front of the building is ornamented ; the prin-
cipal story has a dining-room 160  feet  long,
at one end of which is  a ladies'  drawing-
room, and at the other  end a dancing-room ;
they are each the whole width of the build-
ing, which is 48 feet, and 40 deep.
   " In the second  story, there are  36  bed
rooms, with an entry between them; they are
             8 
86    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

about  14 feet  square.   The  building has
quite an imposing appearance.
  The other improvements consist of a num-
ber of brick and framed cottages, sufficient to
accommodate 350  persons.   Dr. Lewis has
been very fortunate  in  the  selection  of his
managers.  Last season the management was
in the hands of  our old and worthy  friend
Major Vass, whose kind  and conciliatory dis- ;
position,  added to a minute knowledge of all
that  appertains to  his business,  has always
rendered him popular.  The fare at the Sweet
Springs during the visiting  season is  uni-
formly good, and the servants are kept under
good management.  Dr. Lewis is extensively
engaged in farming ; and having a fertile es-
tate attached to the Springs, he is enabled to
raise plentiful supplies of the great staples of
domestic consumption.
  " The best example of the acidulous class of J
water (Bell) is the S*weet Springs in MonrodB
County, Virginia.  They are 29 miles fromB
Fincastle, 40 from the Red Sulphur, 22 from
the Salt Sulphur, 20 from the White Sulphur,
and 43 from Bath  Court-House.
  " The  Sweet Springs rise on the north side 
            SWEET SPRINGS.           87

of a large mountain called by the same name.
The south side is covered with stones of an
ochrous appearance.   In many places  iron
may be found, but on the north the mountain
is fertile  and covered  with  a rich mould, at
least, near the Springs.
  " The temperature of the Sweet Springs is
73°  Fahrenheit, the same as that which in
England by a strange blunder is called Bris-
tol Hot Well.  There is a  considerable re-
semblance between  the two in other respects,
as well in the abundant evolutions of carbonic
acid, as  in  the earthy and saline  matters
held in solution.   In the Virginia  Spring,
however, iron has been detected, whereas the
British Hot Well has none in its composition.
  "Few mineral*waters have acquired such
fashionable and well merited celebrity as the
Sweet Springs.   The name  is  calculated  to
convey erroneous impressions of their  taste,
which is  like a solution of a small quantity
of a calcareous or magnesian carbon ate.   The
excess  of  the  carbonic  acid, however,  gives
the  waters a briskness  productive of a very
different effect  on  the palate from what an
imperfect mixture  of the  earths would pro- 
88    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

duce.  The first effects of this water,  due to
its temperature and gaseous contents, are a
feeling of warmth to the stomach,  with the
sensation  of fullness of the head and some
giddiness.  Taken at stated intervals, in mode-
rate quantity, it will produce a moisture on the
skin and  increase the  flow of urine.  If the
stomach be in a good  state, it gives addi- Si
tional  appetite, and imparts fresh  vigor to  ,
the  system.  Its operation on the  bowels J
varies at  first; but  after a protracted use it
will generally be found  to induce a  costive
habit."
  The waters of the Sweet Springs are highly
stimulant, and are therefore inadmissible in
most cases of inflammatory disease or in tur-'
berculous pre-disposition, and other affectionsH
of the  lungs and  bronchi.   They quicken J
the  circulation,  impart tonicity  and vigor M
to the  system,  excite the animal  passions, J
cheer the spirits, and inspire the mind withM
pleasureable sensations.  Aged  persons, espe-W
cially, who are free from organic disease, will
find youth and  vigor  and elasticity at the
bottom of this noble fountain.   A man who
could have an opportunity of daily plunging 
              SWEET SPRINGS.           89

into the  Sweet Springs  Bath might  live to
the fabled age of the crow.  We cannot con-
ceive any thing more refreshing and exhila-
rating than this bath, when it is appropriate
to the case ; but the system must be free from
inflammatory  action, and rather tending to
atony  than to the  opposite condition.   We
would not  advise a person of sanguine tem-
perament, whether male or female, to use this
bath ; nor would we permit females who may
by any probability be in a delicate condition,
or who are liable to severe periodical hemor-
rhages, to use the water internally  or by
bathing.   There are conditions of the uterine
functions  in which they may be used  with
marked advantage,  but  such cases  require
medical advice of the highest character, and
that too on the spot, where contingencies may
be met by suitable treatment.  In certain ca-
ses of dyspepsia, and in  some nephritic affec-
tions, this water is very valuable ; in  fine, it
may be said to be a good servant, but a bad
master.
   There is one practice at this Spring so per-
nicious, that it cannot be too severely repro-
bated •- we allude to deep potations of mint
              8* 
90   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
 julap  and  other  spirituous mixtures, after
 coming from the bath.  Incalculable  injury
 may be done by this abuse, and we have little
 doubt  that  many  of the cases said to have
 been injured by the water and bath, may fair-
 ly be traced to mint julaps.
  We have, ourselves, good reason to speak
 highly of this water.  In 1823,  we spent se-
 veral  weeks enjoying the luxury of bathing
 here with the most  decided benefit  to  our
 system, enfeebled by application  to business
 and other causes.   In 1829, however, after
 hemorrhages and other symptoms of pulmo-
 nary disease had made their appearance, we
 were excited by it to  a fearful degree, and had
 to abandon its use.

               RED SPRING.
  At a distance  of one mile  from the Sweet
 Springs,  on  the  road leading to the  White
 Sulphur, is the Red Spring,  owned and very
 recently improved by Philip  Rogers, Esquire.
  To  those  who have been   in the habit of
visiting the Virginia Springs, this gentleman,
some fifteen  or twenty years  ago, was favor-
ably known as lessee of the Sweet Springs, 
/\ yu£yy of vj-je hid $l
p y\m\ affajflcs, 
 
RED SPRINGS.             91
and  a kind  and  accommodating landlord.
We have not ourselves forgotten his blunt but
cordial manner,  and the hospitable treatment
which we received in common with all his
guests.   We have not seen the improvements
erected by Mr. R., but learn from a friend that .
they are sufficient to acommodate  from se-
venty to one hundred persons.
  The Red Spring  is a  chalybeate,  and  a
most powerful  agent in. cases  that admit  a
tonic treatment.   This is an advantage which
this establishment possesses  over its  neigh-
bour, having, besides, the  same kind of water
which is so abundant at the " Sweet Springs."
The  acidulous  or "Sweet"  waters,  at both
establishments, seem to be so much alike, that
there can be no  essential  difference between
them, and as they are situated in an  abun-
dant  region,  and on the  great thoroughfare
connecting Eastern  Virginia with its  trans-
Alleghany territory, we hope that notwith- -
standing their proximity,  they may both do a
good business.
   The  situation of the " Red Spring " is  a
beautiful one,  overlooking  one of the most
fertile and best cultivated farms in Virginia. 
92    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
The celebrated Beaver-dam falls are on this
farm, and about a mile  and a half from the "$
Spring.                                    "

                THE SKIN.
  Before we take our leave of the thermal
and acidulous waters, we desire to say a few-
words on that beautiful organ which, above all  '
others, distinguishes man from the inferior ani-
mal  creation,  and which  in lovely woman
frequently attains such exquisite perfection as
to place her second only to the  angels.       J
  The skin  being  one of the great safety-  1
valves of the body, though perhaps the least
regarded by the great mass of mankind,  and
especially so  by that portion of it yclept "the
Anglo-Saxon race," is amongst  the most im-  ,
portant organs of the human body.
  Had Nature required  of the kidneys to se-  '■
crete all  the impurities of the circulation, they ^
would be inadequate to  perform the labour at
least without vastly more power than they  {
now possess;  she  has, therefore, in her wis-
dom, invested the external covering  of the  ;
body and the mucous surfaces of the internal
organs with an exhalant apparatus that frees 
THE SKIN.
93
the blood from those serous portions that are
no longer necessary for the nutrition of the
body, and from an excess of carbon and other
matters that might deteriorate its quality, just
as the absorbent system appears to have been
intended to introduce new and alterative ma-
terials into the system for its comfort and sus-
tenance.   How deeply the  skin  sympathises
in all important lesions of the great organs of
the body is known even to ordinary observ-
ers,  yet it has never  received from  the  fa-
culty that consideration to which it is entitled.
It is, perhaps, not because they are  not fully
sensible of its importance ; but because they
despair of reforming the habits of the people
in the most essential point connected with the
healthy condition of this organ.   The march
of improvement, however, is onward, and we
should never despair of effecting a reform so
obviously important as  that of  cleanliness.
Who would have thought twenty years ago,
that  five  millions  of  a  people  proverbially
addicted to intoxication would,  at this day,
exhibit an  example of temperance  which
throws into  the shade all the reforms of mo-
dern times ? 
94    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

  In our southern country especially, there is .
an  urgent necessity for frequent ablutions, ,
owing to the relaxed state of the system, pro-
duced by intense heat, and the consequent
evaporations of the serous portion of the blood -3
through the superficial covering of the body.
In such a condition of things, the balance be-
tween the excreting functions of the skin and
kidneys is destroyed, and the former  has to
perform a duty, which  eventually overpower- \
ing its energies, its  action  becomes morbid,™
and it is  no longer able to resist either  the 1
impulse from within, or the sudden depres-CT
sion from  cold to which  it is  exposed from  |
without,  by extraordinary and  sudden vicis-  1
situdes of temperature.                       '
  We know, however, from the experience
of eastern nations, that like all other hygienic
principles, the salutary practice of bathing is
liable to abuse.   Carried to excess, and ac-
companied by the use of powerful narcotics.-»
it is pernicious  to the physical, mental, and
moral energies.  It should, then, be resorted
to not exclusively as a  luxury, but as a means
of cleansing the skin from  accumulated  im-
purities,  and encouraging a just proportion
of the fluids to the capillary circulation. 
THE SKIN.
95
   The manly exercise of swimming, when it
 can be practised, cannot be too  strongly re-
 commended.   In the palmy days  of  Rome,
 the river Tiber was  not  permitted to roll its
 waters to the sea neglected and unheeded.  It
 was the constant practice of the  Roman citi-
 zens to  disport in its bosom, after they had
 anointed their  bodies as a protection against
 the coldness of the water.   Of its efficacy in
 procuring sleep we are assured by the satirist:
                             " Ter uncti
   Transnanto Tiberim somno quibus opus est alto."
   We will not quote the remainder of the
 sentence, in these happy days of Temperance ;
 for it must be  confessed  the author was an
 inveterate little tippler.   With regard to the
 wealthy, who are able to afford themselves
 all the  conveniences  of bathing, if they do
 not avail themselves of their advantages it is
 their own  fault, and  deserve no  sympathy;
 but it is otherwise with persons of  moderate
 circumstances living in cities, and workers in
 manufactories.   Their health  demands the
 care of the public authorities, and of their em-
 ployers. One hundred thousand dollars would
construct in the city of New-York five floating
baths, that would accommodate ten  thousand 
96    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
persons in  twenty-four hours ;  and these, at
a charo-e of three cents each, would yield a
revenue of  more than one hundred thousand
dollars a year.                            ^
  In the manufactories of this country, whichj
have almost all  extensive water-power, how
easy would it be to  provide a large bathing
chamber, in which all the labourers, male and/'
female, should be required to bathe at least?
once a week.   It would be easy to  raise the
temperature of the water to about 85 or 90° F.
  In an establishment giving employment to
two hundred  persons, five cents a week de^vl
ducted from the pay of each would amply pay
the proprietor, and in a mere pecuniary point»;
of view would be a  saving to the labourers,!
who may thereby be saved  from many .ail- i
ments that cause loss of time.  But we would
not  stop here : we would recommend to the
legislatures, whenever application was made
for an act of incorporation by a manufacture
ing company, to insist on a proviso obliging
the corporators to provide a convenience such
as we have described, and to insist on its use.
Whenever temperance shall have become uni- 1
versal, and conveniences for bathing  shall I 
THE SKIN.              97
 have been furnished to the great mass of the
 inhabitants of cities, and the more enlightened
 and opulent  portion  of the  community will
 have by their own example induced the poorer
 class to adopt this great hygienic practice, we
 may look for an advance in the average of
 human life and  human morals, which  now
 might seem unattainable.
   It is unnecessary to particularize the vari-
 ous chronic affections of the skin.  From the
 earliest periods in which we find accounts of
 sulphurous waters, they have been celebrated
 for the cure of this  class of diseases.   As it is
 the sulphuretted  hydrogen that is the active
 property in these  cases,  there  can be little dif-
 ference in favour of  any particular  Spring,
 used  merely as an external remedy, in which
 light we are  now considering  this class of
 agents ; but of this we  are certain, that  per-
 sons  afflicted with cutaneous diseases will in
 most  instances fail to realize their expecta-
 tions  if they depend exclusively on the ther-
mal waters.  It has been a long established
custom, and one the correctness of which has
been tested by experience, to spend the early
part  of the season  in using  the sulphurous
              9 
98    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

waters, and the latter part at the Hot, Warm,
and Sweet Springs.   These latter agents will
indeed, of themselves, relieve slight affections
of the surface ;  but it should be recollected
that most chronic diseases of the skin are de-
pendent on visceral derangement, and that no
external  application will remove the exciting
cause. We know that sulphuretted hydrogen
is possessed of such subtle power that it per-
vades the whole animal economy, and  alters
or modifies the fluids from which those dis-
eases  are propagated.
  It is indeed essential that the use of the
sulphurous waters should be combined with
the simultaneous use of bathing in the mineral
water, and this  is  now attainable at all the
Sulphur  Springs of Western Virginia.  When
the system has  been saturated with the sul-
phurous  waters,  then may the natural  baths
be used with double advantage ;  and we are
sure we do not risk the  charge of extravagantj
laudation, when  we assert that the world can-
not produce three fountains superior to those
of which we have been treating in the fore-
going pages. 
CHAPTER X.
         WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.

  " Thirty-five miles from the Hot Springs
 (Col. Perkins) are the celebrated White  Sul-
 phur Springs, which are visited by those  who
 are in search of pleasure, as well as those who
 are in want of the waters.   The accommoda-
 tions for visiters to this place are much more
 extensive than at any of the other watering-
 places in Virginia ; the views are more beau-
 tiful, and visiters much greater in number,
 than  at  the  other  Springs.   The  amiable
 owner of this delightful spot, though he takes
 no active part in the management of the  con-
 cern, has an  excellent representative in his
son, Wm. B. Calwell, Esq., who  has been
fortunate in selecting as his  principal execu-
tive aid, Mr. King, whose obliging attentions
and  courtesy are acknowledged by all  who
know him."
  The accounts  given of this  establishment 
 100  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

 have been  so  frequent, and so extensively
 circulated, that minuteness of detail is unne
 cessary.   The accommodations are sufficient
 for the entertainment of five hundred persons,
 together with the usual proportion of servants
 and horses.  More than six hundred are said
 to have  been  taken in, but when the guest
 has  to be crammed into a room with  some
 half dozen others, it is not so  much accom-
 modation as making shift.  We are inform- 1
 ed that the establishment proper, Mr. Mastin's  j
 Hotel, and Mr. Rosser's, will all accommodate
 seven hundred persons.  When we first visit-
 ed this place in  1823, it was in a very rude
 state, although entertaining at that time from
one  hundred and fifty to two  hundred  and
fifty persons, principally lodged in comfortless
log cabins.
  From 1834 to the present time the improve- j
ments have been extensive, and many of them J
beautiful ;  but  there is such a glaring want
of design in the arrangement of the buildings, |
that it is  painful to a man of taste to observe '
how nature has been marred  by the want of
art.   It is in a great degree irremediable, too,
for it would be now difficult to make any im- ; 
           WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.      101

  portant alteration without great  expense and
  destruction  of valuable property.  As, how-
  ever, a woman may be  beautiful in spite of
  her teeth, so is the White Sulphur, notwith-
  standing the defect we have mentioned.  The
  many  handsome  cottages built by  or  for
  certain individuals, have added  much to the
  interest of the landscape, and upon the whole
  this charming spot may  be considered as pos-
  sessing attractions  which are rarely presented
  to the traveller.  So much has been said re-
  specting the fare at this  place, that  some allu-
  sion to it will not be deemed irrelevant.
     The keepers of  watering-places are differ-
  ently situated from  persons  who entertain
  company the  whole year.   They have to
  make extensive arrangements  for a short pe-
  riod, and while their company is at its maxi-
  mum not more than one month, they are
  obliged to keep in  pay double the number of
  attendants necessary for  the average, many of
**whom  feel but little interest in their employ-
  ers ;  and they have, besides, to provide sup-
  plies at  great expense and  inconvenience.
  They are entitled  to great allowances under
  all the circumstances ; but few persons, how-
                9*" 
 102  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

 ever, receive less indulgence from a discern-
 ing public.  In  the  case  of our friend, Mr.
 Calwell, a  thousand eyes are emphatically
 watching, if not the fleece, certainly that which
 was once covered by it:  and after it has been
 served up, for  the equal participation of all,
 Caeleno  and her frightful sisters  made not
 greater havoc  among the  eatables of the
 hungry Trojans than the sable sons of Africa
 make upon  the dishes at the White Sulphur:
  At subitcB horrifico lapsu de montibus adsunt
  HarpyicR, et magnis quatiunt clangoribus alas:
  Diripiuntque dapes, contactuque omnia j"aidant
  Immundo:  turn vox tetrum dira inter odorem.
  As soon  as the dishes  are placed on the
table, the private servants  and those of the
establishment that are bribed, seize upon the
best of the eatables and place them as private
property before  their employers.    It  is  a
shameful abuse, and may be remedied by ex-  '
eluding all  private   servants,  and  allotting
certain  servants  to  certain sections  of the
table.  Thus, under  the ticket system, in  a  '
company ever-changing, it  is  not  probable
that one man would be waited on more than
one day by the same  servant, and  he would 
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     103
    therefore find it too inconvenient to be paying
    a fresh bribe every day.   This is the greatest
    evil  at  the  White  Sulphur, and  will  ever
    create confusion and dissatisfaction until cor-
    rected.   All  acknowledge  the  supplies  are
    ample, though perhaps not so varied as at the
    other Springs ;  but  between the causes  just
    mentioned and the undignified impatience of
    the guests themselves, the scene is often ludi-
    crous in the extreme.
      The lodging-rooms are generally comfort-
    able, and well supplied with the  requisite
    furniture.  The bathing establishment here
    is fitted up with great neatness, and obviates
    every objection hitherto made in respect to
    that convenience.
      Wm. B. Calwell,  Esq., who has  the  sole
    control of the establishment, is a bland  and
    elegant gentleman,  and  his manager,  Mr.
1  •  King, trained  to his calling, is  in  every re-
    spect  qualified,  and  uniformly civil   and
    obliging.  We shall  commence our notice of
    the waters with an extract from Mr. Otis' de-
    scription of the Spring:
      " The Spring bubbles  up  from the earth in
    the lowest part of the valley, and is covered 
104   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

by a tastefully covered Pavilion, being a dome,
supported by twelve Ionic columns, and sur-
mounted by a graceful statue of Hygeia, the
patron saint of  healing, holding in her  right
hand  a cup, as  filled with water, and in her
left a vegetable or herb.  This statue was pre-
sented to the establishment by  Mr. Hender-
son, a wealthy planter of Louisiana, who I
believe went from New England.   The Pa-
vilion is surrounded by the grateful shade of
old oaks, locusts, and elms ;  and hither resort,
as to  a common focus, the converging  radii
of the crowd, intent upon banishing disease or
ennui, gaining  health or admiration, display-
ing personal charms or sacrificing to fashion.
The  invalid, pale, emaciated, and wretched,
may be seen there at  almost every hour,  wait-
ing till the giddy dance of the gay and  vola-
tile,  who came there merely to gratify 'a
truant disposition,' shall leave the waters free
for him to drink and be healed.  The feverish
flush, the hectic of consumption, the tottering
gait of rheumatism, the wasted  form of the
dyspeptic, may all be observed in contrast
with the ruddy glow of manly health, the free
elastic step of youthful vigor, the gay smile of 
         WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     105

unpained hearts, and the loud laugh of mirth
that knows not even  the check of another's
sufferings.
  " At about an hour before dinner, the fash-
ionable lounge at the  fountain commences.
Then also commences the playing of the mu-
sicians in the ball-room, a fine band of per-
formers,  who  amuse  the  visitants to the
Springs an hour at noon, and divide with the
waters the attention of the promenaders."
  For the analysis of the White Sulphur wa-
ter, as given by the Dispensatory of the United
States  on the authority of Professor Wm.  B.
Rogers, we  refer  to page 47.   Whether we
consider it as a gaseous  or  saline water, we
find it falls greatly short of many of the wa-
ters of Europe and this  country.  But does
this argue that it  is inferior in curative pro-
perties 7  By no means.  There may be  too
much of a good thing in mineral waters as
well as in other  matters ; and this is mani-
fested  by all conversant with  this  class  of
natural  remedies.  Harrowgate  (England)
water contains, in a wine gallon, sulphuretted
hydrogen 11 cub. in., or 5f as  much  as  the
White Sulphur, and while the solid contents 
106   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

of the White Sulphur in a gallon are 122 grs.,
those of Harrowgate  are  859 grs.   Is  the
latter then a better  water  than  the  for-
mer ?  We should more than  doubt it.  Sa-
ratoga water (Congress Spring) contains, in a
wine gallon, gaseous  contents 318 cub. in.,
and solid  contents- nearly 598 grs.;  yet will
any  one rank  Saratoga water  with  White
Sulphur water as a curative agent ?   As we
have already stated,  it  is the  combination
that makes the mineral water valuable.  It is
because that combination is adapted by nature
in her  mysterious laboratory  to the animal
economy, that disease yields to its sway; but
let man endeavour to improve  upon her work
by abstracting from or adding to her propor-
tions, and she will soon show  which is the
better apothecary.
  If the estimation in which the White Sul-
phur water  is held, in the United States, be
any evidence of its merit, it needs no other
eulogy ; for it is well known that its fame has
spread to every portion  of the nation.  It is
indeed  a noble fountain,  destined,  we hope
and trust, to  be  a blessing to  countless gene-
rations.   It may be abused, as all other reme- 
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.      lOT*
dies ; but where it is the appropriate remedy,
and is correctly introduced into the system,
it is most valuable.  Where it is not adopted,
it is no  less productive of great and perma-
nent mischief.
  Feeling deeply the great value of this wa-
ter  to the public, and solicitous that its fame
may not be even temporarily affected, we feel
it a duty we owe to the worthy proprietors
of the fountain,  as well as' to the community
at large,  to  notice a theory which has  been
lately sought to be established respecting it,
and which, if true, renders it liable to be suc-
cessfully imitated by  any one who can mix
with common water the different portions of
saline matter discovered by its analysis.   We
allude to the theory set  forth in a pamphlet
by Dr. J. J. Moorman, resident  physician at
the  Spring.  We disclaim  any intention of
affecting the interests of Dr. Moorman.  He is
personally unknown to us ; but since we have
undertaken  to  present our  views  on  those
mineral  waters, we feel morally bound not
to sanction,  by our silence, a theory fraught,
as we believe,  with injury to the reputation
of this justly popular water, and  with cruel 
108    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

injustice to the poor invalids who seek benefit
from its use.
  In the discussion of this subject we will
not impugn Dr. M.'s  motives in propagating
this doctrine.  With these we have nothing
to do.   We are entitled  to the  privilege of
questioning the soundness of his theories, and
this we will do in good temper.
  We subjoin the article  of Dr. M. on this
subject, so  that we may not incur the charge
of misrepresentation, and shall then comment
on his  positions.
   [Dr.  Moorman.]—" The reputation of  the
 White Sulphur  Water for its  medical vir-
tues is now so well known in every part of
America, that it  is thought unnecessary to
enter into  a  general  detail of  the  peculiar
properties of the water and its applicability to
particular diseases.   It is believed that a more
acceptable  service  will be rendered to  the
public by  exhibiting  satisfactory  testimony,
proving that those who are unable or unwil-
ling to perform a journey to the Springs may
use  it at their  own homes, and while in the
enjoyment of the soothing cares  and  atten-
tions of their families, with equally beneficial
results as if drank fresh at the Spring. 
         WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     109

   To prove this we do not intend to enter into
 a scientific disquisition of the physical pro-
 perties of the water.  The fact is now gene-
 rally admitted, that the medical properties of
 the   White  Sulphur water reside  mainly
 in its solid contents ; and as these solid con-
 tents are  not deposited, or otherwise lost by
 exportation, the transported water must retain
 as much strength as that  which is used fresh
 from the fountain.  Numerous  comparative
 trials, made with  the  transported water and
 the water fresh at the  Spring, by intelligent
 and  observant  persons, and with strict  re-
 ference to ascertain its strength in either way,
 have abundantly proved the truth of  this po-
 sition ; not only establishing the fact  that the
 water, after it had  been a long time removed
 from the place, is equally  as strong as that at
 the  fountain head, but also that it  may be
 used by the invalid with the  same happy
 results.
   That the White  Sulphur water,  when  re-
 moved from the Spring and exposed even  for
a  few minutes, parts  with a portion of its
uncombined sulphuretted hydrogen gas, is evi-
dent ; but long experience in the use of the
           10 
 110   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

 water has satisfactorily proved, that its activ-
 ity,  far  from  being lessened,  is  ordinarily
 increased when the  gas is evaporated.  This
 fact has been so  well ascertained, by  those
 who are familiar with the use of the water, as
 to have established a common practice among
 such at the  Springs, to set the  water in an
 open vessel for twelve  or  eighteen  hours,
 until its gas shall  have escaped, before using
 it;  others more expeditiously attain the same
 thing by gently warming the water :  and by
 either of these precautions,  the activity or the
 system  is almost invariably  increased, while
 at the same time, the water thus prepared
 agrees better with a  greater majority of  the
 patients, and may be taken with far greater
 impunity by most  invalids.
  The escape of the gas, which soon  takes
 place after the water is taken from the Spring
 and exposed to the  air, causes  it to lose its
sulphuric taste and smell;  and one not ac-
quainted with  this  characteristic  might be
induced thereby to believe, when using trans-
ported water, that  a  fraud had been practised
upon him, and that, instead of sulphur water,
there had been  palmed upon him either river 
        WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.      Ill

or rain water.  We know of some individuals
who have  been  induced to decline its use
from suspicions growing out of  this circum-
stance, not being aware of  the fact that it  is
the gas alone which imparts  to the  White
Sulphur water its sulphuric smell and taste,
and that this gas readily escapes  unless great
caution has been observed in the preparation
and security of  the  vessel that contains  it.
But whether this gas escapes or not is a
matter 'of little  or  no  importance,  as the
water  is  equally as  salutary  without  as
with it, and does not thereby lose its medical
virtues.
  These facts, however,  inexplicable as they
may be to  the common observer, will  not as-
tonish  the  intelligent medical  man, who re-
collects that the  gas thus thrown off is  an
active  nervine  stimulant,  which,  while  it
often  unduly excites the feeble  and nervous
patient, delays  by its stimulant  effect the
operations of the  salts of the water.  Nor is
it   singular that  this  particular  stimulant
should  produce  this effect,  inasmuch as we
witness the same thing, when any other ac-
tive stimulant is administered with  our eva- 
112   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

cuant remedies ;  for who does not know that
a purgative potion  administered  in  wine,
toddy, or any other diffusible stimulant, will
ordinarily act less promptly and powerfully
than when administered in water."
  To sustain the above statement Dr. M. gives
sundry certificates of  respectable individuals
who had used the water at a distance from
the Springs.  In  denying the correctness of
Dr. Moorman's assertions, and of the opinions
of the gentlemen who have given certificates,
we disclaim a shadow of disrespect; but with
all due deference  for their judgment, we be*
lieve that the latter have not given themselves
time to  consider  that in proving too  much
they have proved nothing ; and that the Dr.
is naturally enough biased in favour of the
creation of his own imagination.
  We understand the theory in  question ori-
ginated in the following manner:  Dr.  M,
some years ago entered into an  arrangement
with Mr. Calwell for transporting the water.
It  was  attempted in bottles, but that was
found too  expensive,  and the idea of barrel-
ling was adopted.  But here was a difficulty,
the gas would escape.  What was to be done ? 
        WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     113

Why, it must be  shown that the gas was of
no use,  nay, that  it was a detriment, and like
" toddy or wine,"  an active nervine stimulant.
It became necessary to prove that the  water
was better without gas than with it;  and ac-
cordingly, Dr. M. recommends to his patients
to let it stand in an open  vessel 12  or 18
hours before use.   Dr. M. tells you that it is
a common practice to pursue this plan  at the
Spring ; but we regret to perceive he has not
the candour  to acknowledge that he  intro-
duced the practice ;  and that no such practice
was known from  the days of Adam until the
days of Dr. M.
  We have already shown that, in mere sa-
line  matter,  the  White Sulphur is  immea-
surably  below Saratoga, and hence the con-
clusion  is inevitable, according to Dr. M.,
that Saratoga water is immeasurably superior
to the White Sulphur.   Nay, it is  known
to Dr.  M. that  the White  is  below the
Salt  Sulphur in  saline matter;  and does he
therefore  imply that the former  is inferior to
the latter 7  Would he directly concede this ?
No:  yet it is plainly deducible from his the-
ory.   But the absurdity of the proposition is
           10* 
114   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

self-evident, when the reader reflects that, if
true, the great White  Sulphur water is  no
better than  may be made by any apothecary's
apprentice behind his counter.
  But we will prove to a demonstration that
the positions taken by Dr. M. are  in direct
opposition  to all  experience and to the dis-
coveries of science.  Dr. M. says it is gene-
rally admitted that the " medical  properties
of the White Sulphur water reside mainly in
its solid contents."   Now we assert that  no
such thing is admitted ; but just the contrary.
We quote from that great chemist, Dr. Hare,
the following paragraph bearing directly on
this subject.
   " Of sulphydric acid or sulphuretted  hy-
drogen :
  " Few persons are unacquainted with the un-
pleasant odour which  results from the wash-
ings of a gun-barrel, made foul by the explo-
sion of  gunpowder,  or that  produced  by
putrid eggs.   This odour arises from a com-
pound consisting of one atom of  hydrogen
and one  atom  of  sulphur.   The celebrated
Sulphur Springs of Virginia are indebted
for their  odour, and mainly for  their efli- 
         WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     115

cacy, to this compound, to which the celebra-
ted Thenard has given the name of sulphy-
dric acid."—{Hare's Chemistry.)
  But Dr. M. says sulphuretted hydrogen is
a nervine stimulant.   We beg leave to quote
the opinions of Dr. Armstrong on this subject.
  " The first thing which struck me in regard
to the operation of the Harrowgate sulphur-
ous water was, that the bowels might be open-
ed by it day after day,  week after week, with-
out debility being produced ;  nay,  on  the
contrary, most  of the patients gained both
strength and flesh, notwithstanding they had
daily and copious evacuations. This circum-
stance alone seemed to give the sulphurous
water a most decided advantage over the pur-
gatives  in common use ; for  it must be  ad-
mitted  that they cannot be long continued in
chronic diseases  without  diminishing   the
strength.  For some time, therefore, I solely
attributed the efficacy of the sulphurous water
to its purgative  property, together with  the
peculiarity that its long-continued exhibition
caused  no  debility;  and for a considerable
period  the  complaints on which I prescribed
were chiefly stomachic and  hepatic,  I  was 
116  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

the more  confirmed in this opinion as  to
its operation.  But cases of chronic disease
fell under my observation at various times, in
which the sulphurous water was most decid-
edly beneficial, and that too where the bowels
had been but scantily moved ;  and as the
effects in  these cases could by no means  be
purely attributed  to its  action on the intes-
tines, I was  led to inquire whether it might
not have some other agency which had escap-
ed my observation.  In attending more close-
ly to the changes which the water induced, I
found that it acted most  powerfully on the
secretory glands of the body, but more  espe-
cially on  the liver, on  the kidneys, on the
mucous coat of the intestines, and on the skin.
   " Here a new operation was presented to my
inquiry.   In reflecting on  all the facts which
had come before me, I ascertained that this
water had removed chronic affections of vari-
ous internal and external parts : and  hence at
length the  inference followed,  that it was
really beneficial as a very powerful alterative,
and that it had a direct influence over chronic
inflammation, wherever it be seated,  whether
in the viscera or upon the surface of the  body. 
        WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     117

In still further pursuing the consideration of
the subject, I was fully satisfied that I had
arrived at a general principle in the operation
of the sulphurous water: for, some time after-
wards, on trial of that at Dinsdale, near Dar-
lington, I found that its effects were also very
powerful in chronic inflammations, though it
be  but  slightly laxative.   It  at once,  there-
fore, occurred to me, that the chief efficacy of
the sulphurous  waters of Harrowgate and  /
of Dinsdale depended upon the sulphuretted
hydrogen gas which they both contained ;
and indeed the principal  difference between
the two waters is, that the first contains less
of the sulphuretted hydrogen gas, but more
of the saline ingredients than the last, so that
by adding very small  doses of purgative salts
to the one,  it may be made to operate like the
other in many cases."
   Again :  " Chronic rheumatism  and gout,
and almost all cutaneous affections, will yield
more readily to the continued internal exhi-
bition of the sulphuretted hydrogen gas than
to any of the means now commonly employ-
ed ; not only in these, but also in most chronic
complaints  of the viscera, the recovery will 
118  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

be considerably expedited by the frequent use
of tepid baths which contain the sulphuretted
hydrogen gas.   At the same time, it is to be
recollected that it  is not upon one, but upon
all the secretory organs, that it exerts a special
influence ; but certainly to the skin, as it is so
capacious, a large  portion of that influence is
directed, and  next in  degree it is generally
spent upon  the kidneys, both  of which cir-
cumstances make it so  beneficial in cutaneous
diseases, and in those of the urinary organs."
   Here, then,  is the opinion of Dr. Hare sus-
tained by Dr. Armstrong, that  the virtues of
a  sulphurous  water mainly depend on the
sulphuretted hydrogen gas ; but Dr. Moor-
man throws  it overboard without ceremony,
as a worthless article.  " But (says the learn-
ed Doctor,) whether this gas escape or not is
a matter of little importance, as the water is
equally as salutary without as with it, and
does not thereby  lose its medical  virtues?
Whilst he asserts that the water is  as good,
nay better, without the gas, he tells us, " that
it is the gas alone  which imparts  to the
White Sulphur water its sulphuric smell and
taste" 
         WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     119

   He recognizes the presence of the sulphur
 in  no other form  in the water—he acknow-
 ledges that the gas escapes wholly by ex-
 posure to the air, and yet he recommends as
 a sulphur water that which is no  more the
 same article it once was, than any plain well-
 water that may  be obtained in the same geo-
 logical district.
  Had Dr. M. contented himself with claim-
 ing for his transported water some degree of
 excellence approximating that of the genuine
 water from the  fountain, the tax on our cre-
 dulity would not have  been so severe ;  but
 when he admits the water has sustained a loss,
 and yet insists that it has benefitted by that
 loss, we cannot pass over in silence so mon-
 strous a proposition. We can understand how
 half a loaf is better than no bread ; but it will
 take better logic than that exhibited by Dr.
 M. to convince us that  half a  loaf is better
 than a whole loaf.
  Before we quit this subject, we desire to say
a word respecting the certificates given by
gentlemen, many of whom we know and re-
spect, to Dr. Moorman.  They no doubt be-
lieved what they stated to be correct.  They 
120   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

meant to state that the aperient quality of the
water was not impaired by the loss of the gas,
but probably increased, in which we perfectly
ao-ree with them: but those of them who have
used the word alterative, have probably used
it as synonymous with mildly purgative, and
have, therefore, said more than they intended.
That the word alterative is thus restricted by
some persons is well known, but it is not the
legitimate signification of the word as used by
medical writers.
  An alterative is a remedy that by a scarcely
perceptible disturbance of the excretory organs,
alters some morbid function of those organs to,
or towards, a normal condition.  Whether the
mucous membrane of the intestines, or bron-
chi, or the skin, or the  kidneys, or the liver,
or any other gland or surface, be  concerned,
we apply the word alterative to their gradual
change from diseased to healthy action. From
this view  of the term it will be seen how im-
properly it is sometimes applied,  and the in-
stance now before us proves how,  by the mis-
application of a word, much mischief may be
done. The explanation we have given proves
satisfactorily that the worthy gentlemen who 
         WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.      121

have testified to the value of the  transported
water,  meant  only to vouch for its visible
effects on the bowels, without once consider-
ing that the most important  alterative effects
are frequently invisible.
   " The White  Sulphur Springs  (Bell) have
been much resorted to by invalids suffering
from dyspepsia, chronic hepatitis, the slow
fever following remittent, bilious,  or ill-cured
intermittent fevers ; chronic rheumatism, cu-
taneous diseases, uterine derangements, such
as obstructed menstruation and fluor  albus.
   " In  dyspepsia, unconnected with  chronic
inflammation and fixed pain of the stomach,
these waters will  have an  excellent effect;
and especially if, as is often the case in  the
middle and southern States, the disorder be
connected with obstructions  of the liver  and
enlarged spleen.  Persons who have  brought
on dyspepsia by excess in eating too  much
mixed  food, and drinking distilled and  fer-
mented liquors, if they restrict themselves to
simple  food in moderate quantities,  and  use
no other fluid than the mineral and common
water, have every thing to hope for by a resi-
dence of a few weeks at the White Sulphur
             11 
122   SPRINGS  OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

Springs.   The jaundiced skin will here often
receive its natural hue, the temper its wonted
evenness,  and most of the other unpleasant
bilious symptoms, as they are called, will dis-
appear by a suitable hygeienic course at this
favoured spot.  That state consisting in pecu-
liar debility and nervousness, and cutaneous
eruptions from the excessive use of mercury,
will be removed by the same means."
  We have little to add  to the enumeration
made by Dr. Bell of the diseases to which the
White Sulphur water is applicable.  It may
be used with great advantage in most cases of
visceral disease, and will be  found useful in
some eases of neuralgia dependent on dyspep-
sia.   Nephritic disease produced by acidity
will be benefitted by it, especially if combined
with a small quantity of bi-carbonate of soda.
  As  it is highly stimulant, it is inadmissible
in actual pulmonary disease, or in strong pre^
disposition thereto, and has never failed to do-
mischief in those conditions of the system.
In  hepatic  disease, its alterative  power  is
much aided by occasional use of blue-mass in
small doses.
  We have already given such hints with re* 
        WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     123

gard to the  quantity of water proper to  be
drunk, and on diet and exercise, as we thought
might  be  useful ;  we cannot profitably add
any thing on these subjects,  but to remark
that they must be modified to suit the wants
and condition of each individual. 
CHAPTER XI.
          RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.

  The Red Sulphur Springs are situated in
Monroe county, 42 miles from the White Sul-
phur, 39  miles  from the  Sweet  Springs,  32
miles by the partly-made turnpike road, from
the Blue Sulphur, and 17 miles from the Salt
Sulphur.
  In extent of accommodations, which is suf-
ficient for  350 persons, as well as  in the num-
ber of visiters and duration of the season, this
Spring ranks next to  the  White  Sulphur.
The improvements consist of the Hotel, 180
feet  by 42,  two stories,  containing  dining-
room, drawing-rooms, and bar and store-rooms,
&c, with  a double  piazza the whole length ;
Alabama Row, 300 feet long, with a piazza the
whole  length, and a neat two-story building
at one end ;  Philadelphia Row, 200 feet long,
with a piazza; Batchelor's Row, 104 feet long;
Carolina House, 112 feet long, and two stories 
          RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.       125

high.  Between the two last ranges is a house
for the reception of visiters on their arrival.
There is a continuous piazza from the extreme
end of Philadelphia Row to that of Carolina
House, 471  feet in length.
   Above Bachelor's  Row, on a terrace, is So-
ciety Hall, 80 by 42 feet, two stories  and a
basement, having a portico supported by nine
Ionic columns, 25 feet high, and presenting a
very imposing front from the valley.  Besides
these ranges, there are numerous cottages and
offices, and  at  the entrance a mercantile es-
tablishment ; but the structure most deserv-
ing of notice is the Pavilion over the  Springs.
   This beautiful edifice was erected  in 1830
after a design of Mr. Strickland of Philadel-
phia.  It is a dome 12 feet in diameter, sup-
ported by 12  Ionic columns.   The height
from the base to the  top of the entablature is
about 30 feet.   The  Springs rise 10 feet be-
neath  the  natural level  of the  valley,  and
their depth being over 4 feet, you descend 5£
feet  by circular step?.  The whole height
from the level of the water  to the top  of the
dome is about 50 feet.  The  Springs rise ho-
rizontally  in two marble  reservoirs.   They
              11* 
   126  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

   derive their name from a rich lake-colour de-
   posit which is sometimes seen  in large quan-
   tity  on the sides  of  the fountains.  Their
   waters are conducted into a wooden reservoir
   in  the  centre,  and thence  by pipes  to the
   bathing-house.
     On the summit of the beautiful  southern
   hill that overlooks the village, and which is
   named Mount Ida, is a handsome octagonal
   summer-house,  45 feet in diameter.  It was
   from near this spot that the view, now to be
   seen at the Exchange Hotel, Richmond, was
   taken in 1836 by George Cooke, Esq.  It does
   not, of  course, exhibit the subsequent im»
   provement; but otherwise gives a most cor*
   rect idea of the  scene.
V    The  Red Sulphur  Springs  came into the
   possession  of the author of this work in the
   autumn of 1832 by purchase.  It would be
   difficult to conceive a spot  better calculated
   to discourage an attempt at improvement, and
   indeed many had declared it impracticable to
   any extent.  Such, however, was not our opi-
   nion : we were aware that it was only neces-
   sary to follow, rather than subdue Nature,
   and that by doing so we might make some- 
RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.        127
thing interesting out of  this wild  and un-
promising gorge.   It is not too much  to say
that the result has corresponded with our an-
ticipations,  and that whether as a whole,  or
in detail, this little valley may compare fa-
vourably with any merely  rural  scene  in
America.
  It may not  be improper to observe that all
the arrangements for the  accommodation of
the guests at this place are  calculated to in-
sure comfort.  The market affords varied and
abundant supplies ; a well cultivated garden
produces a variety of the finest vegetables.
Abundance, neatness, and kind and impartial
attention, are the order of the establishment.
  When the extraordinary  powers  and pro-
perties claimed  for this water as a  curative
agent are considered, it will readily be con-
ceded that a more extensive  notice  than we
have given of the  other  Springs is  not only
necessary but indispensable to  a just esti-
mate of its peculiar action on the human sys-
tem.  We shall, therefore,  without further
apology, treat the  subject more in detail, and
if we should be so unfortunate as to fatigue the
reader by the introduction of collateral sub- 
128   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

jects, the error should be imputed to our ear-
nest desire to shed upon the subject all the
light in our power.
  In Chapter VI. of this work we have given
the sketch of Prof. Rogers's analysis furnish-
ed to us by that gentleman some years ago ;
we now lay before the reader an elaborate  ana-
lysis by A. A. Hayes, Esq. of Roxbury, Mass.
It is impossible to read  this paper without
perceiving that it is the  result of a zealous
and patient investigation by a man intimately
conversant with the details of his profession.
In some particulars, his results are  different
from those obtained by Professor Rogers; in
others,  they correspond  very  remarkably.
The organic substance discovered in the wa-
ter so abundantly, supposed by Mr. Rogers to
be  analogous with glairine, but called by
Mr. Hayes sulphur compound, is believed by
both to be probably an important cause of the
  Note.—For several years Doct. Daniel James, of Al.
bany, has been practising as a physician at this Spring.
He is a gentleman  whose age, character, and professional
standing entitle him  to all confidence.   There  are few
persons living whose advice is more to be relied on in all
matters connected with the use of the Red Sulphur than
Dr. James. 
RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.       129
peculiar agency of the water.  There can be
little doubt, we  think, that this property of the
water, its  extraordinary freedom from saline
and earthy impurities, the well adjusted pro-
portions of its several gases, and its low tem-
perature,  are  the immediate causes of its
remarkable virtues.

     " Roxbury Laboratory, 17th Jan., 1842.
" Dr. William Burke :
  " Dear  Sir,—Through  my friend,  J.  S.
Cook, Esq. and Dr. H. J. Bowditch, I received
specimens of the water, red deposit and mud,
from the  Red  Sulphur Springs, in Virginia,
for chemical analysis.  It was with great in-
terest that I engaged in the experiments, as
very little was  known of the chemical  com-
position of this  water, although its medicinal
effects had rendered the watering-place a ce-
lebrated one.   I have sent  Mr. Cook an ac-
count  of  the  results  obtained.  Since my
observations were communicated,  Mr.  Cook
has allowed me to peruse a copy of a  letter
from Professor Rogers, dated in  May,  1835,
in which is contained a notice of a peculiar
organic matter contained in the water.   He
has  therefore  anticipated my discovery,  by 
130   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

some years.   I do not, however, consider this
substance identical with  baragene or glairine
of the  Warm Springs of Italy and France.
It is, so far as I know, new and peculiar, and
seems to be an azotised  base combined with
sulphur, and so combined as to neutralize the
distinctive characters of the sulphur. The hy-
drosulphuric acid gas (sulphuretted hydrogen)
found in the water, is produced  through the
agency of this  body ; either by its  action on
the sulphates present, or more probably the
substance itself disengages hydro, sulp. acid,
before the surface  of  the earth, abstracting
oxygen from that dissolved in the water.  It
is in  favour of this view that less  oxygen is
present  in  this than in common  water, the
mixture of oxygen and nitrogen  in river wa-
ter often giving 38 per 100  of  oxygen.   I
have minutely examined the  saline contents
of the water, and the  results sent you are
those which have been checked by independ-
ent experiments.  The almost entire absence
of chlorine, or muriatic acid, is a singular fact.
I examined every bottle for chlorine, and al-
though  in  most of them  traces were found,
they were not constantly observed, and quite 
RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.       131
as likely to be derived from accidental sour-
ces, as  from the water.   The largest quan-
tity, found  would have carried my decimals
to four, or five, and been wholly unimportant.
The water gives by  tests  indications like
those observed when chlorine is present, but
the appearance is fallacious.  I have arranged
the acids and basis according to the views of
Murray and Berzelius, and experiments show
that  in  this case these  views  are  correct.
The alkaline action of this water is due to
the solution of the carbonate of magnesia in
carbonic acid (Murray's fluid magnesia), and
the peculiar substance seems to be dissolved
in this solution.
   " You will not fail to observe that the che-
mical history of the peculiar  ' sulphur  com-
pound '  is incomplete.  My principal object in
addressing  you at this time is to request you
to furnish me with more of the ' red deposit,'
as a source of it.  Professor Rogers supposed
the sulphur was deposited and mixed with it.
I believe no trace of uncombined sulphur can
be found in it, in its fresh state ; and when I
fermented it, hydro-sulp.  acid was the form
it appeared in.   I deem this a very important 
132   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

distinction, in a medical point of view, and
incline to the opinion, that all the sulphur in
this compound is in a state fitted to be ab-
sorbed in the animal system, as no other
known solution, or powder of sulphur, is, ex-
cepting perhaps hydro-sulp. acid.  The opi-
nion that substances of delicately balanced
affinities in their changes give rise to changes
in other bodies, is gaining ground among the
most learned physiologists and chemists, and
such a view of the effects of some of the con-
stituents of  mineral waters  is perhaps a cor-
rect one.  I exclude of course all those wa-
ters  wherein one stable constituent of great
activity gives character to the water,  and in-
clude those  which differ but little in  saline
constitution  from well-waters  generally, but
contain besides, a substance in a state of pass-
ing from one  form of matter  to  a new form
and  constitution  of matter.   These  views
would be more acceptable, if experiments had
demonstrated their truth :  for this we must
wait.
   " The ' red deposit' I inferred from chemi-
cal observation to be exhibiting signs of vital 
         RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.        133

action.  Dr. Rogers had earlier made the ob-
servation  from  inspection.   In  relation to
some compounds referred to above,  baragene
and glairine, botanists have arranged them
as organized beings, in the species Tremulosa,
and suppose the seeds  to be brought by the
water to a  suitable place for  germination;
so much by the aid of lenses and eyes.  On
the other hand, it has been  demonstrated by
chemists, that the substance present in the
water is not the substance which the botanists
have named : lenses and eyes cannot see it;  it
unites to other bodies and plays a certain part,
can be separated, and retains its former pro-
perties.  The circumstance, under which sub-
stances of this kind are deposited,  seemed to
have been overlooked, or misunderstood. In
all cases the waters have been slightly chan-
ged in constitution, after leaving that point in
their courses below which  deposition  never
takes place.  Thus a water  highly charged
with carbonic acid, losing a part  of this, in
contact  with the atmosphere, will deposit so
much of a body held in solution in carbonic
acid, as was dissolved by that part which has
              12 
134   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

passed off.   It is always a very small part of
the whole quantity which is deposited;  the
bulk goes forward with the  water.   Rocky
strata change  waters  in  this way, and when
several kinds of stone are wetted by the same
water, some produce this  change, others do
not.   In the matter thus deposited, the seeds
of organic  matter vegetate,  often  with  sur-
prising rapidity.   I have seen the silicious
shells of animalculae,  after  the death of these
active little beings, fall to the bottom of a glass
vessel, closely stoppered ; and within a week,
a close deep-green covering of moss has com-
pletely invested and covered the remains.  In
the Red Sulphur Spring, the red lichen seems
to have  found in the sulphur compound a
congenial soil, for its  ramifications  extend
throughout it.   The black mud seems to have
changed the sulphur compound,  combining
through it ferreous salts with the sulphur, and
giving oxygen to the other constituents of the
compound.*  I think you  will observe  that

  * The phenomenon mentioned by Mr. Hayes, has
caused much speculation at the Springs.   The colour
undergoes various changes  of hue in an incredibly short 
RED SULPHUR SPRINGS.         135
the marble-slabs,  pieces of wood, metal, &c.
act differently in producing or receiving the
deposition,—sunlight and shade often cause
different effects.       Respectfully,

                           Aug. A. Hayes."


epace of time.   Since the new temple has been erected
over the fountain, the rays  of light falling  differently
on  them sometimes affect the brilliancy of the colour,
but the quantity of  the deposit never varies.   It is also
true that wood is more favourable to  the appearance of
the deposit than marble. 
CHAPTER XII.
 RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER, VIRGINIA.

  This  water  is  perfectly  colorless  and
transparent; when agitated it has an agreeable
sparkling appearance.  Its  odor  is that of
hydro-sulphuric acid,  mixed with  that from
earth or clay ; the latter being retained, after
the hydro-sulphuric acid is dissipated, or des-
troyed.   Its taste is hepatic and slightly bit-
ter.   By ebullition, it does not immediately
become  turbid,  gases escape, and when re-
duced in volume by  evaporation deposition
takes place.
  The specific gravity of this  water, com-
pared with pure water at the  same  tempera-
ture, and pressure equal, is 100029.  Subject-
ed to the influence of chemical re-agents,  it
presents the following characters :
With a  solution  of chromate of potash, the
           yellow  color  becames  greenish
           yellow. 
       RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.   137

With a solution of nitrate of mercury, a gray-
          ish-brown  precipitate is formed.
     "  acetate of lead ;  the first drops give
          a brown  colored precipitate; an
          additional quantity of a yellowish
          white precipitate.
     "  bisulphate of copper ; at first brown,
          succeeded  by  a bulky greenish-
          gray precipitate.
     "  sulphate of silver, a brown, succeeded
          by a yellowish white  and floccu-
          lent precipitate.
     "  muriate of baryta, a white precipitate,
          insoluble in acids.
     "  oxalate of ammonia, a white precipi-
          tate.
     "  nitrate of silver and ammonia, white
          precipitate, which becomes brown
          and purple in sunlight.
     "  nitrate of copper and ammonia, a pale
          bluish-green precipitate is formed,
          after the first few drops of the re-
          agent have separated a brown pre-
          cipitate.
     "  tincture of iodine,  added to a large
          bulk of the water, containing starch
           12* 
138   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

          dissolved  in  it,  instantly gives a
          blue colour to the starch.
  Analysis.—Indications above described af-
ford evidence of  hydrosulphuric acid in the
water, while the iodine solution shows that it
exists  in  a relatively small proportion.   A
bottle of the water was mixed, at the moment
of taking it  from the Spring, with a small
quantity of oxide  of  bismuth, and  closely
sealed.  After  the agitation due to carriage,
and rest for several weeks, it was found that
the particles of oxide of bismuth were render-
ed brown superficially, and no traces of hy-
dro-sulphuric acid remained in the water. The
oxide contained carbonic acid,  and less than
one-third of a grain of the oxide had absorbed
and combined with all  the hydro-sulphuric
acid, contained in about fourteen thousand
grains of the recently drawn water.  By care-
ful experiments, in which the hydro-sulphuric
acid was measured by its  action on iodine,
and the latter weighed in its silver compound,
the bulk of the hydro-sulphuric acid was as-
certained.
   50,000 grains (about seven pints) of the
water,  from  which  the  hydro-sulphuric acid 
       RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.    139

 had been removed, afforded by the usual pro-
 cesses 2698 grain measures of gases, or one
 volume of gases from 18£ volumes of water.
  1000 parts of the mixed gases are made up of
     Carbonic acid gas,     4-19
     Nitrogen gas,          4-77
     Oxygen gas,           104
                          ----1-000
  The two latter gases form the bulk of oui
 atmosphere, in the proportion of 79 nitrogen
 to 21 oxygen—477 of nitrogen requires 126
 oxygen, while the analysis gives 104, show-
 ing that oxygen is abstracted by the constitu-
 ents of the water.  All the well-corked bottles
 had  rarefied atmospheres over the water, and
 when they were pierced  even  at 32° F., air
 would enter.
  A well-sealed bottle, containing the hydro-
sulphuric acid gas in the water, afforded for
50,000 parts of water 3088 of mixed gases, or
one volume of gases from less than 17 volumes
of water, consisting of
       Carbonic acid gas,       1245
       Nitrogen gas,            1497
       Oxygen gas,             260
       Hydrosulphuric acid gas,  86
                               ----3008 
140   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

  Gaseous contents of a gallon, or 231 cubic
inches of the Red Sulphur Spring water-
    Carbonic acid,        5-750
    Nitrogen,             6-916
    Oxygen,              1-201
    Hydrosulphuric acid,  0 397

                         14-264
  In this analysis, the proportion of oxygen
gas to the nitrogen is still smaller, a result
which accords with other observations made at
the same time.  The hydrosulphuric acid gas
is the most active  of the gases found ; while
the carbonic  acid gas  acts  the part  of  an
acid, in rendering earthy salts soluble in the
water.
   50,000  grains  (about seven pints) of this
water afforded by slow evaporation  in  air
at 200° F., a light yellowish-brown matter,
which, after  it  has been  carefully  dried,
weighs 20TVo grs.  At the temperature of
240° F., this  residue becomes changed, and
suffers  a loss of weight,  being reduced to
 17-55 grs.
   This residue contains the saline part of the
 water, and is  composed of— 
RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.   141
Silicious  earthy  matter,  containing
  traces of oxide of iron  and alumina,
  probably suspended merely,          0.70
Sulphate of soda in a dry  state,         3-55
  which forms with the water 802 grs.
  Glauber's salts.
Sulphate of lime,                      0-47
Carbonate of lime,                     4-50
  dissolved in carbonic acid.
Carbonate of magnesia,                 413
  dissolved in carbonic acid, and form-
  ing the " Fluid magnesia."
  A peculiar substance, containing
Sulphur combined with organic matter,  7-20

                                     20-55
  There are  traces of chlorine, or muriatic
acid, in some  specimens,  but at most  only
0-03 of chloride of silver  could be separated
from 10,000 grs. of water.   This substance is
rarely absent from natural  waters, which have
penetrated the earth.
   The peculiar  sulphur  compound which
forms  a  part  of  the saline contents of this
water, has never been described, if it has ever
before been met with.  While in the natural 
142   SPRINGS OF WESTEWN VIRGINIA.

state, and out of contact with atmospheric air,
it is dissolved in the water, and forms a per-
manent solution.  Air, acids, and other agents,
separate  it from the water, in the form of a
jelly, and alkaline carbonates, alkalies, water,
and other agents re-dissolve it.  It has no acid
action on test fluids, but bears that character
with bases, and  forms  compounds analogous
to salts.   In its decomposition, ammonia  is
formed, and hydrosulphuric acid is liberated;
or if heat  be employed in the experiment,
sulphur  is separated.  It combines with the
oxide of silver, and forms a salt of a reddish
purple color, in the form of a flocculent pre-
cipitate, which dissolves in pure water ;  with
the oxide of lead, a yellowish white powder,
and  with the oxide of copper, a pale blue salt
in fine powder.  In these compounds it re-
mains unaltered, and may be  separated from
them and transferred to other bases.
   Mixed with a small  quantity of water, and
exposed to  the  temperature of 80° F., it de-
composes,  and  emits  a most offensive  odor
of putrefying animal matter, with hydrosulp.
acid gas. It is to this property that the hydro-
sulphuric acid in the water is due, and to the 
        RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.   143

 oxidation of a part of this compound most of
 the sulphuric acid found in the water may be
 referred.
   I  have endeavoured to  ascertain  how its
 elements are arranged, but so small a quan-
 tity has been separated, that I could  not in-
 sure the purity of any salt  formed  with it.
 I ,V0 grs- §ave with oxide of copper 3, '020 grs.
 of a dry, bluish-green compound.
   With the specimens of water, I received a
 small quantity of a " red deposit," which in-
 vests the surfaces of the marble slabs forming
 the basin  of the  Spring.    It had  become
 changed, although the cork was tightly seal-
 ed.  When opened  for examination, a soft,
 clay-coloured mass, composed of films having
 a greasy appearance, mixed with some fila-
 mentous parts, was found.   The odour it ex-
 haled was insupportable ; it blackened metals,
 and  when  agitated with water, rendered it
 viscid.  With a solution of carbonate of soda
it formed a frothy solution, which while cold
 had the appearance of a solution of soap, and
when heated disengaged  some ammoniacal
vapours, and formed a solution of all except-
ing some earthy and filamentous parts.  This 
144   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

substance  contains  the  same compound of
sulphur and organic matter as that found dis-
solved in  the water of the Spring.  I sepa-
rated  from the water the peculiar matter it
contains, in the form of films, and  compared
these with those obtained from a soda solution
of the altered " red deposit," by the aid of
re-agents,  and they proved to  be  identical.
From the  examination of this altered matter,
I have formed  the  conclusion,  that the red
colour of the matter which covers the slabs is
that of a moss or lichen, which finds its habi-
tat in the  viscid  covering produced  by the
deposition of the sulphur compound.
  A small  specimen of  the mud and slime,
which appears where  the  water  from the
Spring flows, was received.  It was a black,
tenacious  mud, exhaling an odour  of hydro-
sulphuric  acid, mixed with  that from earth.
The  colour is due to the sulphuret of iron,
formed by the action of the hydrosulphuric
acid on the ferruginous  matters  contained in
the soil.   Besides finely divided earths and
sand,  there is an organic matter contained in
the mud, which is a product of a further de-
composition of the sulphur compound  con- 
       RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.    145

tained in the water.  It forms brown coloured
solutions and imperfect salts ; its sulphur ele-
ment is retained ; in other respects, it resem-
bles the brown extracts from soils, or the hu-
mus and apocrenic acids of Berzelius.
  Having studied the chemical characters of
the sulphur  compound  imperfectly,  I  give
only those reactions in the following descrip-
tion, which will serve to  show its want of
identity with any of the various substances
which have  been found in thermal waters,
and in some European hepatic waters.

    Chemical character  of the Sulphur
                Compound.
  I. When separated from a solution by eva-<
poration, or by drying from a gelatinous state,
it forms greasy films, which do not darken
solutions of lead or copper.
  II.  In pure water they slowly dissolve, and
the  solution gives salts of the compound, with
the  bases.
  III.  Solution of carbonate of soda dissolves
them, and a fluid results which froths by agi-
tation.
  IV. In caustic solutions of alkalies the films*
           13 
146   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

dissolve, and the solutions are slightly yellow
coloured.   These solutions have the peculiar
odour of soap-leys.   They do  not blacken
metals, nor colour metallic solutions.  Acids
decompose  the  solutions,  and  the sulphur
compound  separates in the form of a bulky
jelly generally;  some oxyacids giving flocks.
  V. Nitric acid dissolves the films, and the
salts of baryta and lead do not indicate the
presence of sulphuric  acid.   On heating
the acid solution, a yellow matter  separates,
which resembles that produced  by acting on
azotized bodies by this agent; sulphuric acid
is thus  produced, and  the yellow precipitate
requires a large  proportion of nitric acid  for
its complete oxidation.   The result of this
action is an acid which gives a deep yellow
colour, with ammonia in excess.
  VI.  Chlorine in muriatic  acid  separates
from  the  sulphur  compound  some  white
flakes,  which  are finally oxfdized,  and a
colourless solution formed, in which sulphu-
ric acid exists.
  VII.  Alcohol did  not dissolve  the com-
pound.
  Chemical  experiments do  not  show the 
RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.   147
 medicinal properties of the substances operated
 on.   But when a substance, the result of deli-
 cately balanced affinities, gives in its decom-
 position an agent of powerful action on the
 animal system, we may conclude that it is an
 active ingredient, if found in a water possess-
ed of high curative powers.  I am disposed,
 therefore, to consider the sulphur compound
 in this water as the principal medicinal agent
 contained in it; although its action in com-
 bination with the other  constituents may be
 necessary to produce the effects for which this
 water is so justly celebrated.  The following
 results  give in one view the  composition of
 this water.
   Gaseous contents of a gallon, or 231 cubic
 inches of the Red Sulphur Spring water:
     Carbonic acid,        5-750
     Nitrogen,             6-916
     Oxygen,              1-201
     Hydro-sulphuric acid, 0397
                          -----14264
   50,000 grs. (nearly seven pints) of this wa-
 ter contain dissolved as gases, (grain measure),
     Carbonic acid,         1245 water
     Nitrogen,              1497 
J48  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
    Oxygen,                260
    Hydro-sulp. acid,        86
                           ----3088
grain  measures of gases.
  50,000 grs. of this water afford of
    Silicious and earthy matter,   0-70
    Sulphate of soda,             3-55
    Sulphate of lime,              -47
    Carbonate of lime,            4-50
    Carbonate of magnesia,        4-13
    Sulphur compound,*          7-20
    Carbonic acid,                2-71
                                 ----23-26
  Note.—The  carbonic acid which is given
with  the saline matter, being all which the
water contains, includes that which is given
off as gas by ebullition.
                    Augustus A. Hayes.
  Roxbury Laboratory, Jan. 14, 1842.

  * I might have stated that the sulphur compoun4 con-
tained  phosphorus, either as phosphoric acid, or phos.
phates.                             A. A. H. 
       RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.   149

  By request of Mr. Hayes, we have ordered
a large supply of the  " Sulphur Compound"
to be sent him for further experiments.  We
shall publish the result in some form when
obtained ; meantime we think it will be con-
ceded that the analysis and explanations given
above are perfectly satisfactory, and place the
claims of the Red Sulphur as a peculiar wa-
ter on impregnable  grounds.   Here we have
not only results,  but  the whole process by
which they were obtained. There is no mys-
tification ;  but  at every  step of the experi-
ment  the reader is instructed and interested.
We would especially invite  his attention  to
the curious substance  in which Mr.  Hayes
supposes the virtues of the water mainly to
consist.
  On this head  he  makes the following im-
portant remark.   "  I believe  no trace  of un-
combined sulphur can be found in it, in its
fresh state, and when I fermented it,  hydro-
sulp. acid was the form it appeared in.  I deem
this a very important distinction in a medical
point of view, and incline to the opinion that
all the sulphur in this compound is in a state
fitted  to be absorbed into the animal system,
             13* 
150   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

as no  other  known solution  or powder of
sulphur is, excepting  perhaps  hydro-sulph.
acid."
  The introduction of this bland substance in
a fluid condition into the system must exert a
great influence on the circulation, and conse-
quently on the mucous surfaces that are in a
morbid condition ;  and  when  we  consider
that the greater  portion  of the fluids  taken
into the stomach is directly conveyed into the
circulation by the absorbents,  we can at once
perceive that the great hygeienic power of
this water is dependent on the characteristics
enumerated,  all of which combined  act as a
singular alterative in equalizing an excited
circulation, in correcting  the highly acrid and  ,
vitiated secretions of an  irritated mucous mem-
brane, by modifying the fluid  that  supplies
the matter for that secretion ;  and that by
sending to the heart and  lungs  also a diluted
instead of a highly concentrated supply of
 blood, it calms those organs by producing in
 the latter a condition favourable to the proper
 performance of their function of oxygenation,
 and by soothing the irritation of the former,
 causing it to  send forth its stream with  a 
      .  RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.    151

 milder impetus, and, moreover, by diffusing
 more equally the capillary circulation, and in
 return  obtaining not only a more moderate,
 but a more healthy supply.
   Suppose then an irritated feverish condition
 of the  mucous  membrane of the bronchi or
 alimentary canal to exist  when this water is
 taken  into the  stomach, it  is  refrigerant,
 bland, pure, yet  abounding in  subtle and in-
 visible  power:  what  is its probable mode of
 action 7  Why, reasoning from  analogy, we
 must conclude that  its first  impression is on
 the nervous expansion with which it comes in
 contact: this sends the pleasurable sensation to
 the brain ; this urges  into activity the absor-
 bents ;  these convey  the tranquillizing  influ-
 ence to  the circulation ;  and  this influence is
 again returned to the modification of the irri-
 tated surfaces.   The  external  capillary cir-
 culation is restored  to its rightful balance ;
 the skin and  the kidneys perform their ap-
 propriate  functions ;  in a  word,  the normal
 condition is restored,  and all is  smooth and
 calm as  the unruffled ocean.
  But if, on the contrary, a hard, harsh wa-
ter, loaded with saline ingredients, comes in 
152    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

contact with a surface in the  condition sup-
posed,—what may  reasonably be expected 7
Why,  evidently that  the  nerves will  be dis-
tressed, the circulation still further depraved,
the heart excited to unnatural action, the ir-
ritated  surface still  further engorged,  the ar-
terial  action  increased,  respiration hurried,
and all the functions  of the external and in-
ternal organs abnormally performed.
  " Through pervious earth the filter'd surges pass,
  Rise in sweet springs and lave the freshened grass ;
  While their smooth seeds an easy passage find,
  Lodged in the pores, the rough are left behind."

  The process  of the filtration described by
Lucretius gives us a good idea of that effected <
by the organs of secretion of the human sys- j
tern.   It is  not  probable that  the absorbents
of the stomach  have  the  power of  discrimi-
nating between one fluid and another ; hence
it is that,  whether  pure water or  alcohol is
presented  to its surface, it is thrown into the
circulation; but not  so with the kidneys or
skin, or mucous surfaces ;  they  probably resist
the  obnoxious article, for  a  while, but when
again and again  presented,  it overpowers
their energies,  and first, abnormal functions, 
       RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.    153

  and next, organic lesion, is the consequence.
  It will  readily be seen, then, in chronic affec-
  tions of the organs of respiration and of the
  abdominal viscera, if these affections amount
  to irritation or subacute inflammation, that
  the Red Sulphur alone, of the Sulphur waters,
  is admissible.
    From this comparative view of  the action
  of those differently composed sulphur waters
  some valuable instruction may be  derived,
  and we hope will not be altogether overlook-
  ed by  invalids.  It may afford  a hint too in
  the selection of our food, for nothing is more
  preposterous than to take a minute  portion of
^ medicine to effect a certain  object,  and while
  under  its influence to fill the stomach  with
  substances  altogether  incompatible  with it.
  What  would  be said of a physician  who
  would  use the  lancet to subdue inflammation,
  and at  the same time administer brandy 7 
CHAPTER XIII.
  We think that a candid review of the ana-
lysis of the Red  Sulphur and of our remarks
on its action, founded on a long observation
and  experience,  will lead every  unbiassed
mind to conclude that the claims of this wa-
ter as a curative agent are well founded; but
we do not mean to rest our case here ; we can
prove beyond  a doubt  that this water  exerts
an influence  over the  circulation that no
other agent has been known to exert.   The  $
evidences which we have received of this fact
in the course of our nine years of ownership,
would fill a large volume ; but we  will con-
tent ourselves  with publishing a few  recent
cases in  addition to those given by the late
Dr. Huntt in  his  pamphlet  on this Spring.
Few persons were better qualified  than that
lamented physician to make  observations on
a mineral water.  His perception was clear,
his observation acute, his discrimination ac-
curate, his judgment sound, and his integrity 
      RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.     155

incorruptible ;  and after  witnessing with his
own eyes the effects of this water, and reflect-
ing well and long on what  he was about to
assert, he pays it the following compliment:
  " The Red Sulphur is decidedly sedative
in its effects.   It subdues chronic  inflamma-
tion, tranquillizes irritation,  and reduces the
frequency of the pulse in the most astonishing
manner.  It has been considered  peculiarly
adapted to  the cure of pulmonary diseases,
and it  is true  that it has a most beneficial
effect in most  cases of this disease;  but its
good  effects equally  extend to  all cases of
subacute inflammation, whether seated in the
stomach, liver, spleen,  intestines, kidneys,
bladder, and most particularly  in the mucous
membrane.   In fact, nature never yet gave
to man a remedy capable of more extensive
application, nor better calculated to relieve
a larger class of diseases."
  Such was the testimony of that  eminent
physician, from personal observation, prompt-
ed too by no partiality towards the proprietor,
to whom  he  was  an  entire  stranger; but
purely by a desire to benefit society.   Will it
be objected,  as we  are informed it has  been 
156   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

objected, that he subsequently died of the dis-
ease for the cure of which he had  so highly
eulogized this water 7  Surely every medical
man ought to know that where there is a pre-
disposition to disease of any organ, an actual
lesion of  that organ, though cured, increases
that predisposition, and that it is expecting too
much of a medicine, not only to  cure the ex-
isting disease,  but  to secure  the organ from
any future recurrence of that disease.
   A man with a chronic affection of the bron-
chi or parenchymatous structure of the lungs,
is to go to the Red Sulphur and  drink the
water for 15 or 20 days, and the attack is re-
lieved,  and he is restored to apparently per-  ]
feet health ;  but this does not suffice, he must
not only be healed, but he must  be protected
to all future time, not only from  the conse-
quences of predisposition, but from the effects
of imprudent habits of life, exposure, or other
source  of attack.  It is just about as reasona-
ble to  expect  this,  as that, being  upset  in a
 coach  and having  a limb fractured,  should
 secure  a  man from being upset a second time
 and having  his neck broken.  We can  have
 patience  with such remarks  when coming 
       RED SULPHUR SPRING WATER.    157

 from ordinary men, but when a learned  phy-
 sician puts forth such opinions as arguments
 for his scepticism,  we are forced to infer that
 he has permitted prejudice to cloud his judg-
 ment.
   As we are writing this  book for the benefit
 of the uninitiated in the mysteries of the pro-
 fession, we have thought it might be expected
 of us to say something on the diognosis, and
 treatment of consumption and other diseases,
 for the relief of which we  recommend  the
 Red Sulphur water.
   Of the means  of distinguishing affections of
 the lungs by immediate or mediate consulta-
 tion or percussion, we will not speak: in the
 first place,  because  we do not feel competent
 to give any instruction in the premises, and
 in the next place, because no one but a pro-
 fessional  man who  has  devoted  much atten-
 tion  to these methods  can obtain any satis-
 factory result.
   The symptoms of acute or rapid phthisis
 are, according to Doct. Williams, in the first
 stage,  induration   and  obstruction.   The
indurations  are generally accompanied  by
various  irritations,  both  local and general.
           14 
158   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

Of the local irritations the earliest is a cough,
at first slight, but more or less constant.  It is
either dry or accompanied  by thin transpa-
rent  expectorations.   Another sign of irrita-
tion is pain in the chest, a stitch, soreness or
sensibility to cold or exertion more  than pain.
Of the more general irritations, quickness of
pulse is most constant,—the quickness not uni-
form  at first, but dependent upon any acci-
dental excitement.    As  the organic  lesion
increases,  it becomes more constant, and is
accompanied by  a general febrile state.   This
febrile condition is aggravated towards night,
when the  fulness and frequency of the pulse
increase, attended with flushing of the face,
heat of the palms of the hand, and the soles
of the feet.   This terminates by perspiration
more or less  profuse, which, occurring in the
night, leaves the pulse lowered, but the frame
weakened and  exhausted  in the morning.
The  symptoms   of  obstructions comprehend
those from obstructions to the passage of the
air, to that of the blood, and to the motions of
the lungs in respiration.
   The indurations  by obstructing the pas-
sage of air to the air-cells cause shortness of 
PHTHISIS.
159
breath.   Partial indurations sometimes cause
shortness of breath, not only by their impedi-
ment, but also by occasioning dilatation of the
air-cells. Indurations by obstructing tlje blood
vessels  may cause sanguineous  congestion,
hemorrhage, inflammation, oedema, gangrene,
atrophy of the pulmonary texture, haemopty-
sis, profuse bronchial  secretion, effusion into
pleura, disease of the heart, &c.
  Haemoptysis occurring in the  early stages
of phthisis is generally from this cause ; and
it is a serious symptom, not only  because it
may endanger life by loss of blood or direct
suffocation, but  also because it is often  accom-
panied by hemorrhagic consolidation and rup-
ture of the lung, which tend to accelerate the
process and promote the  further deposition of
tubercle.  In some instances,  however, hae-
moptysis is followed by decided  relief to the
dyspnoea and cough, having removed a con-
gested state of the  blood-vessels.   How true
are the following remarks of the same author  :
" When once the integrity of a nicely ad-
justed apparatus  like that of respiration is
extensively injured, disorder begets disorder,
and unless the  counteracting or respiratory 
160   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

powers soon come into operation, unless the
indurations are  soo7i  diminished  or the
blood-vessels closed, the whole  of that part
of the lung may become a solid mass."
   SecoVid Stage.—On  the conversion of the
gray or dark red indurations  into the  crude
yellow tubercle, and  during the original de-
position of  this matter, besides the symptoms
of irritation and obstruction, which still con-
tinue, there are  indications of loss  of|flesh
and strength, and a general depression of the
functions.   The pulse loses strength although  *
it is as frequent as before ; the evening chills
are more severe ;  the sweats are more  profuse.
   Third Stage.—The more  truly consump-
tive symptoms which had  begun to manifest
themselves  in the second stage, are developed
fully when the  tubercles become soft, par-
tially or entirely liquid, and are evacuated by
the  aid of secretion and ulceration of the ad-
 joining textures.  Then comes on in  addition
to  the symptoms before described, a copious
and heterogeneous expectoration of pus, mu-
cus, softened and occasionally solid tubercle,
blood, shreds of lymph, and, not rarely, por-
tions of pulmonary tissue in a sloughy fetid 
PHTHISIS.
161
state.  Then occur the usual constitutional
concomitants of extensive unhealthy, suppu-
rating ulcers, confirmed hectic, with its suc-
cessive chills, heats and sweating, occasionally
diarrhoea  and  the  increasing marasmus  in
this  case rendered more pronounced,  by the
importance of the organ affected and the re-
lation which it bears to the process of sangui-
fication.   Then are the dyspnoea and cough
increased by the continual  discharge of matter
into  the air-passages, and by the extension of
the  diseased  depositions and ulcerations  of
the tissue."
  To the  preceding extracts of Dr. Williams,
a portion  of which we have somewhat con-
densed, much may be added, but  it would
answer no good  purpose  to dwell  with  mi-
nuteness on this part of our subject; we will
therefore hasten to the treatment of the dis-
ease, so far as it may  be connected with the
agent which we have now under considera-
tion.
  At the threshold, we have to encounter the
objection  that tubercular  consumption is in-
curable.   On this subject  we ask attention to
the  following extract of a letter  from  Dr.
           14* 
162  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

Thomas  D. Mutter, of Philadelphia.   The
history of the letter is this.  He was informed
by a friend that he was reported to have spoken
disparagingly of the Red Sulphur, and, deny-
ing the charge, he wrote to us a letter, dated
Philadelphia, Nov. 9th, 1841, from which we
extract the following paragraph :
   " I have said to  many, as I would say to
you or your son, or any well-informed  phy-
sician, that the  Red Sulphur riever yet cured
a case of tubercular consumption, and you
know as well as I do that such is the fact, for
there is no cure for this disease ; but I  have
always said, both privately and publickly,
that the Red  Sulphur was a most valuable
water in many cases resembling consump-
tion, and that I had seen  many such cases
perfectly cured by the use of this water, when
all other  agents  had failed  to afford relief.
Not only have I said this, but I have sent you
many a patient, and hope to  send  you many
more.       Very truly,- your friend
                      and well-wisher,
                    Thos. D. Mutter."
   The above extract is of great interest, be-
cause it virtually admits all that the advocates 
PHTHISIS.
163
of the Red Sulphur contend for, viz., " that it
has  cured cases  resembling  consumption,
when all other agents had failed to afford
relief."   Now this is praise enough, and we
might rest the fame of the Red Sulphur on
such admission, coming from such a source ;
but with all deference for the  distinguished
talents and great experience of that gentle-
man, we^would  suggest that  his opinion of
the incurability of consumption is too sweep-
ing.   We think we are fully impressed with
the intractable character of the disease in its
worst forms, and if our friend, Dr. M., meant
to limit his assertion to these, there can be no
difference of opinion on the subject;  but if he
means to assert, as his language seems to inti-
mate, that tubercular phthisis is altogether in-
curable, we must respectfully dissent from his
opinion, and offer some of the reasons why
we do so.
  In the  first place, we ask how has this emi-
nent physician discovered that the cases of
cure he had witnessed only " resembled" con-
sumption 7  We imagine  this discovery can
only be satisfactorily made by a post-mortem
examination.   Has he  made this  examina- 
164   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

tion 7 It is not probable that he had the oppor-
tunity, for the cure is declared perfect, and if
he did not, how  can be certain that  his opi-
nion is correct 7  We are  aware that Aven-
                                     g.
brugger  and Laennec have shed a flood of
light on  the diagnosis of disease of the chest;
but the latter makes the following admission,
which proves that cicatrices may exist with-
out being discovered by auscultation.  " These
cicatrizations, especially when  complete, and
composed of a  substance  analogous  to other
natural tissues, produce no symptoms what-
ever that can denote their existence.   I have
only remarked in some cases, when there was
reason to  believe their  existence, that the
respiration was less  distinctly audible in the
supposed diseased point."
  We shall  notice  this  disease only under
two heads—Acute and Chronic. 
CHAPTER XIV.
  Acute, or "galloping consumption," as  it
is frequently called, usually runs its course
in from two to nine months, and is wholly un-
manageable,  and when  it fastens on its un-
happy victim, there is no alternative but to
submit to the decree of that great  Being in
whose hands are the issues of life and death.
It is  usually the effect  of  hereditary taint,
roused into morbid action by imperfect nutri-
tion, bad air, exposure, disappointed affection,
reverse of fortune, fevers,  uterine  derange-
ments, and various other causes.   The symp-
toms of this condition have already been enu-
merated.  It is one before which the system
falls prostrate, and in which we can do nothing
but smooth, as we may by kind and delicate
attentions, the  passage  of our  friend  to  a
brighter and better existence.  But the chronic
form of this disease is happily more under the
control of remedies, and therefore should be 
166   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

exempted by Dr. Mutter from the unqualified
assertion  he has made in the letter  above
quoted.
  As in all diseases there are different'grades
of intensity, so  in  tubercular consumption
there are  grades—1 st, of predisposition ; 2d,
of tubercular infiltration or deposition ; 3d, of
development; 4th, of ulceration ;  5th, of ma-
rasmus ;  and lastly, there are grades of the
power of  resistance in different constitutions.
This being the case, it is manifest the chances
for recovery, perfect or partial, or of a fatal
result, are in proportion to such grades. Now-
all modern writers agree that cases of recovery
are frequent from slight attacks  in the latter
or suppurative stage.
  The  great Laennec  makes the following
remarks : " But while I admit the incurabili-
ty of consumption in  the early stages, I am
convinced, from a great number of facts, that
in some rare cases the  disease is curable in
the latter stages, that is, after the softening of
the tubercles and the formation of an ulcerous
excavation." Again, " I have at present under
my care several patients affected with chronic
catarrh, and  who afford distinctly the sign of 
        IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE?     167

pectoriloquism, although they have in no other
respect any symptom of consumption. I have
met with .several other cases, wherein this
phenomenon was observable along  with a
slight  habitual  cough, very little  expectora-
tion, and  scarcely any marked alteration in
the general health.
   " In a lady, formerly a patient of Mr. Bayle,
eight years since, and whose case was decid-
edly consumption, (as appears from Mr. Bayle's
notes in her possession,) the sign of pectorilo-
quism is most distinct.  This lady recovered
beyond all expectation; she is now stout; and
the only symptom she has at all referable to
the lungs is a slight cough. I have no doubt
the cartilaginous excavations exist in  this
person's lungs."
   M. Laennec then gives several cases illus-
trative of what he has  advanced, from which
it appears fully that  recovery is not only not
impossible, but not  unfrequent.  Again, " I
have often observed the above state of things
without knowing to what to attribute it, and
without attaching much importance to the ap-
pearance ; but after I id as convinced of the
possibility of cure in the case of ulcerations 
168   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

of the lungs, I  began  to fancy that nature
might have more ways than one  of accom-
plishing  this end, and that, in certain cases,
the excavations, after the discharge of their
contents  by expectoration or absorption, might
cicatrize  in the same manner as solutions of
continuity in other organs, without  the pre-
vious formation  of  the  demi-cartilaginous
membrane.  In consequence of this idea, I
examined these productions more closely, and
came to  the conclusion, that in  every case
they might be  considered as cicatrices, and
that  in many cases they could hardly be con-
ceived to be any thing else."   Again, " In
tracing the bronchial tubes near these masses,
I have observed that such  as held a direc-
tion  towards them were commonly dilated.
In some  cases I have been able to trace themr
as also blood-vessels, into the fibro-cartilagi-
nous mass, with which, although obliterated,
they formed but  one substance.   This fact
seems to  me to leave no doubt of the nature
of these productions, and of the possibility of
cicatrization in ulcers of the lungs."
  These observations are followed by two  re-
markable cases,  which  our  limits forbid  us 
IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE?    169
from quoting, and the author continues his
remarks as follows :
  " The foregoing observations prove, I think,
that tubercles  in the lungs are not in every
case a necessary and inevitable cause of death ;
and that a cure may take place in two differ-
ent  ways, after the formation of an ulcerous
excavation : first, by the cavity becoming in-
vested  by a new membrane ; and secondly,
by the obliteration of the excavation by means
of a cicatrix, more or less complete, consisting
of cellular, fibrous, or cartilaginous substance."
Again,  " When we consider that the formation
of tubercles in the lungs seems to be the con-
sequence of a general diathesis ;  that these
are  frequently formed contemporaneously in
the  intestines, where they ultimately occasion
ulceration and colliquative  diarrhoea ;  and
that, in some cases also, they exist  in the
lymphatic glands, the prostate, the muscles,
bones, &c, we must be led to believe that the
most perfect cure that can take place  in con-
sumption is merely temporary.
  " Admitting, however, the justness of this
conclusion, in those extreme cases of tuber-
cular diathesis, {which after all are but  rare,
              15 
     170   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

     when compared with the vast number of con-
     sumptions) we are  still entitled to hope for
     the cure of many cases of phthisis, or, at least,
     for such a suspension of their symp^ms  as
     may be deemed almost equal to a cure, since
     the individuals  may  enjoy such a state of
     health as  may enable  them to fulfil all the
     duties of civil life for several  years, or until
     such time as a fresh development of tubercles,
$'**  at  present immature,  produces a fresh and'
     final seizure."
        Dr. Williams, in his dissertation on pulmo-
     nary consumption, says—" Tuberculous con-
     sumption is  in  its  ordinary career a chronic
     disease; but the cases  that particularly de-
     serve this title are those in which the disease
     lasts  for  many years.   Bayle and Laenneji
     record  instances in which  patients  appear
     to  have  had the disease thirty  and forty
     years.  But it is not to be supposed that  in
     chronic cases the disease is always progressive.
     It owes its long duration to its limited extent,
     and although the lungs are never free from
     some of the lesions described as characteristic
     of phthisis, yet the continuance of the disease
     is chiefly marked by many successive attacks 
          IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE?     171

  and  recoveries, dependent  on the particular
  development of new tubercles, and their suc-
  cessive changes and elimination.  As the rapid
  form %f the disease occurs chiefly in young
  subjects, so this in most instances is met with
  at or after middle age ; but it is by no means
  confined to any period of life.
     " It is this chronic or limited form of tu-  *;
  bercular disease that affords the best chance '-«r
  for the remedial powers of nature and art; T^j
  and there can be but little doubt that a con-     «£
  siderable number of cases  are  cured.   On
  this paragraph the  American editor, Dr. W.
  W. Gerhard, adds the following note : ' There
  is no doubt many such cases recover ; cica-
  trices or calcareous tubercles remain often in
  healthy persons.'"   We  might  proceed to
"^quote a great number of  other authorities on
  this subject; but we  think  that we have al-
  ready demonstrated that the opinion expressed
  by Dr. M. on the incurability of  this disease
  is untenable.
     Now, while we think that we have proven ^
  that the disease is not necessarily incurable in
  all cases, we trust it will not be inferred that
  we hold forth delusive hopes to any poor in- 
172  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

    valid who may place reliance in our opinion.
    We seek not to deceive a human being in this
    matter. We candidly acknowledge that there
    are annually many persons presenting them-
    selves at the Red Sulphur, that are  not, and
    cannot be benefitted, and whom, if we could
    have seen them before  they left the comforts
    of home, and  the kind attentions of friends,
    we would have advised against the journey;
    —but again, we do say, that if there be a hope
   '^left,  it is in  the water of the Red Sulphur.
   >  We agree altogether with the  opinion of
V  Laennec, that it  is in the suppurative  stage
    alone that a cure may be looked for.  It is
    evident that if the tubercle be quiescent, there
    is no inconvenience from it; when it has be*
    gun  to soften, it progresses  in spite of all f%
    remedies, and  in slight cases, the sooner the
    better.  When it is ripe, and  in a condition
    for absorption, or finds its way into the bron-
    chus, then is the period for the action of  the
    Red  Sulphur.   It allays  the  general febrile
    condition of the  system, without impairing
    the quality  of  the nutritive fluid, distributes
    the latter more equally amongst the different
    tissues and  organs, and not only places  the 
        IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE ?    173

lungs in the best condition  to shake off the
existing disease, but also prevents the deposi-
tion of other tubercles.   If, while the tubercu-
lous  matter is  discharging,  the condition of
the blood can be improved, so as no longer to
form  a degraded  deposit,  and  the  general
powers of the system invigorated ; if, more-,.
over, we can find a remedy that will reduc$)
the hurried action of the heart and arteries,
without having recourse to depletion; that
will  calm the system, whilst it imparts tone
and energy to it; that will restore to the kid-.*-1'
neys their true share in the excretions, and
prevent extenuation of the body by colliqua-
tive perspiration ; then we may hope that we   ' ^.
have found an agent that will enable the vital
  wers to resist and shake off the existing dis-   *
fease, and in a great degree  remove the ten-
dency to degeneration.   Such an agent is the
Red Sulphur.
  The great principle upon which the Red
Sulphur acts is the sedative  principle.   From
whatever  elements this principle has  been
imparted to it, it is manifest that it is the great
lever by which  it operates.   Is it now denied
that it possesses this power ?  Some few, who
             15* 
      174   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

      are so constituted that they will resist any
      evidence, have expressed their  scepticism;
      but they would not believe though one were
      to rise from the Head.  To essay to convince
      such were a fruitless task, but we think the
      evidence is now, at  least, too strong to be re-
      jected by any one who is open to conviction.
 jjktf.'?'* In tne pamphlet published by Dr. Huntt on
^■fethis  Spring, and which we adopt as part of
   Brbur essay, there is evidence enough to satisfy
ipL^any reasonable person of this and other quali-
V m  *ties of the  water : but  we can furnish other
      and more recent evidence, and from a source
      that  must  command  universal  confidence.
      The letter  which we subjoin was written  to
      us by Dr.  Scott, of Lexington, Kentucky.
      His  motive is explained  by himself.  The ^
      reader will perceive that it bears the impress^
      of truth, and  is written for no  other object
      than to do justice to the water, and to benefit
      the community.   He had previously visited
      all the other Springs ; first the Blue Sulphur,
      next the White, then the Hot and Warm, at
      the last of which we think he was seized with
      hemorrhage.   He  next  visited  the  Sweet
      Springs and  the Salt  Sulphur, and finally 
          IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE ?    175

  found his way to the Red.   Here, then, is a
  proof beyond cavil, that the waters of all tnose
  Springs except the  last were, if not actually
  injurious, certainly not attended with any re-
  lief; but the result of his experience in this
  equally demonstrates that he had finally found
  the appropriate remedy.
    The distinguished reputation of  this  gen-
  tleman as a physician, and  his great moral
  worth, entitle his testimony to all confidence.
             " Blue Sulphur Springs, Va.,
                            Sept. 3d, 1341.   *
  " Mr. Burke:
    " Dear Sir,—On my way to tnis place, at a
  public house where we stopped to dine,  I
  picked up a  newspaper, the  Western Whig,
,v:dated 14th  August  (last month), in which I
  find  there had been a  committee formed to
  take  into consideration a  report prevailing
  prejudicial  to the curative  qualities  of the
  Mineral Waters at the Red Sulphur Springs,
  &c, &c, which report was proven to be false
  by said committee, as well as  by a number of
  certificates signed by gentlemen of high repu-
  tation and intelligence.
    " My object in now addressing you  is  a 
    176   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

    double one, first to thank you  for the very
    kind attentions of yourself and family while
    we remained at your romantic and beautifully
    secluded village, and add  my mite to show
    that the waters of  the Red Sulphur have not
    lost any of their medicinal and positively good «|
    effects in cases such as  my own, viz., a vica-
:«,,.   rious  discharge  of  blood  from the lungs of
    nearly two years standing.
      " I arrived at your establishment on the 23d
    or 24th of last month, with but little faith in
   *the efficacy of the waters, yet was determined
    to give them a fair and impartial trial, divest-
    ing myself as much as  possible from pre-
    conceived opinions  and impressions derived
    from many reports  for and against their me-
    dicinal qualities.  First day, drank nine half- -,
    pint tumblers  of the water in the course of
    the day, at different periods, and as it is usu-
    ally directed to be drank. Second day, twelve,
    and third day sixteen  tumblers  full, which
    last number I continued to take five more suc-
    cessive days.  First and  second days, they
    (the waters) operated profusely as a diuretic ;
    third day, very delightfully also on my skin
    as a diaphoretic, preserving my bowels in a 
        IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE?    177

 healthy state; on the fifth day, had copious
 bilious evacuations, as much as I ever expe-
 rienced from an active portion of calomel.
   " At  the commencement,  and  for  three
 months previous, my pulse had been not less
 than 100 and 110 distinct pulsations in  every
 minute, that is, 100 beats in the morning, and
 110 in the afternoon and evening, attended
 with occasional cough and hemorrhage from ^'-h-
 my lungs.  Using the Red Sulphur waters ^'
 as above stated, my pulse was gradually less-
 ened in strength and quickness, on the third
 day, to 70 beats  in the morning, cind 80 and
 84 in the evening, at which it (the pulse) con-
 tinued  regularly, without  the variation of a
 single pulsation, during the five more days I
 remained with you.  I used the waters  eight
 successive days only, and I do assure you, sir,
 that my health has not been  at any time in
 the last two years so perfectly good, and free
from all uncomfortable feelings.
  " My statements cannot  be  any advantage
to you amongst strangers to me, but I humbly
hope they will be relied on by my friends and
acquaintances in the  West and North- West,
where I have been known extensively as a 
178   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

practitioner of medicine for very near forty
years.     I am, dear sir,
             Very respectfully yours,
                        Joseph Scott."

   We subjoin, also, a letter we have received
from Daniel Gold, Esq., of Washington, which
is of great interest, on  account of the low con-
dition of Mr. Gold's health when he reached
the Springs.  This case also exhibits an im-
portant  case of arterial excitement,  and we
think should satisfy any reasonable person of
the value of the water  in pulmonary affec-
tions.
     " Washington City, Nov. 16th,  1841.
   "My dear sir,—I have purposely  delayed
advising you of the state of my health since
my return to this city.  The change which
came over me while  under the operation of
the Red Sulphur water was so sudden, and so
great, that I confess  I doubted whether the
good effects would be permanent.  It is now
upwards of two months since I left the Red
Sulphur Spring, and I am" happy to be able
to assure  you that  my health is  even better
than when I left you.  My cough and expec- 
IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE?    170
toration, which was confined almost entirely
to the morning when I returned to this city,
has now pretty much subsided, and my lungs
are evidently stronger than they were then.
I have, moreover, gained some  two or three
pounds  in weight since I returned.
   " I started  for the  Red Sulphur with very
little faith in  the Virtue of the water, and the
little  I had was destroyed  before I arrived
there, by reports which I had heard injurious
to its character.  It was represented as being
situated in a cold and foggy place, and to
have  lost all its  healing qualities in  conse-
quence of a vein of common water having re^
cently found  its way into  the  Spring,  All
who went thither with lung complaints were
said to die there, or to go away past recovery.
The road, also, between the White Sulphur
and the Red was spoken of, and I, with others,
was  occasionally entertained with accounts
of frequent stage accidents which happened
thereon,  not  unfrequently  attended   with
broken legs and broken heads, &c, &c.
   " Those  things, however, were mentioned,
not as if to deter any one from going to the
Red Sulphur, but merely for information as 
180   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

to what those might look out for who were
hardy enough to venture beyond the White,
and  particularly  beyond  the Salt.   I went
there because my physician, Dr. Miller, of this
city, a gentleman eminent in the medical pro-
fession, directed me to go ; and I was agree-
ably disappointed in finding not only as good
roads beyond  the White Sulphur  as  I found
this side, but the Red Sulphur Spring situated
in a place, to my taste, infinitely more wild,
beautiful, and agreeable, than that of either
the other Virginia Springs, the Blue excepted,
which I did hot visit.   During four weeks I
spent at the Red, I gained  thirteen pounds,
and strength  enough  to climb any of your
little Alleghanies  except  that one directly
back of your hotel, which  is  so  steep, you
know, that it hangs over a little.  All soreness
about my lungs,  which I felt in leaning for-
ward, lying down, or inhaling a long respira-
tion, and which  had  grown to be very un-
pleasant, vanished entirely.   A rattling, as of
phlegm in my throat, but which probably was
in my lungs, pretty much subsided ;  and be-
fore I left I could lie without inconvenience
upon my right side, or the back of my right 
IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE ?    181
shoulder, which I had not been able to do for
many weeks before.
  " My cough was first occasioned by sleep-
ing in damp sheets in  the berth of a steam-
boat at the North, on a chilly night about the
last of August,  1840, and it had become very
obstinate.   I left  here  after the adjournment
of Congress, that summer, worn out with the
fatigue  and hard  labour always  consequent
upon the close of a session, poor in flesh, and
poorer still in  health.  In short, altogether
unfit for official duty, and undoubtedly far
more liable to severe injury from such expo-
sure than  I otherwise should have been.
  " The day after my unfortunate  night's rest,
I felt sorely afflicted,  and soon  my cough
commenced.  I thought it but the result of a
bad cold, which I could easily brave out, and
neglected  that  early attention to  it which it
required.   But  instead  of  getting rid of it, I
was  constantly taking little colds, and the
consequence was, that I was unable to attend
to business half of last  winter.   As  spring
opened I partially recovered, and for a few
weeks I was nearly rid of the cough.  Early
in June last, warm as it was, I was so unfor-
             16 
182   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

tunate as to take another cold, which brought
on my cough again worse than ever.   Soon
after,  indigestion,  which  had  troubled  me
slightly during the latter part of  the  winter
and spring, became very severe and destroyed  <
my appetite;  and from that time I wasted ra-
pidly.  When I left here  for  the  Red Sul-  !
phur, I could hardly pull myself up into a
stage-coach, I was so feeble ; and when I ar-
rived there I weighed but 105 lbs.   My pulse
too was on an average above 90, and when I
left it was below 70.
   " If I  have the good fortune  to escape a
cold the coming winter, I have no doubt that
I shall eventually enjoy as sound  health as
ever.     Very truly, your friend,
                           Danl.  Gold.    .3
" To Mr. Wm. Burke."                      *

   The following extract is from Hare's  Che-
mistry, an authority always entitled to confi-
dence, but especially so when he speaks, as
in  this instance,  from personal  experience.
He was a visiter at the Red Sulphur in 1832,
when we purchased, and  experienced in his
own family the benefits of that  water. 
          IS CONSUMPTION CURABLE?     183

     " It has already been stated that  water im-
   pregnated with sulphuric acid exists in many
   natural Springs,  which are much frequented
   by invalids.   The celebrated White Sulphur,
   Salt  Sulphur, and Red Sulphur Springs of
   Virginia  are  of  this nature.  They appear
   particularly  efficacious as remedies in cuta-
   neous diseases.
     " The Red Sulphur Springs are thought to
   be particularly  useful  in some pulmonary
   complaints, and  have a surprising and un-
■   aceountable  influence in lowering the fre-
   quency and force of the pulse." 
CHAPTER XV.
  {Dr. Huntt.*)—In March, 1837,  I was at-
tacked with  a slight hemorrhage  from the
lungs, attended with other symptoms indicat-
ing a diseased state of those important organs.
For a time I neglected to  resort to medical
treatment, and continued to pursue my pro-
fessional labours until warned  by my failing
strength that the disease was gaining ground.
By the application of the usual remedies the
violence of the symptoms was  soon subdued,
and in a short time I felt myself sufficiently
restored to  resume  my usual labours; but
with the exercise my wonted strength did not
return ; the cough continued, with occasional
pain in the chest, and an uneasy sensation of
fulness about the liver, stomach, and spleen.
These symptoms, after a time, were attended

  * " A Visit to the Red Sulphur Springs of Virginia, du-
ring the Summer of 1837 ; with Observations  on the
Waters.  By Henry Huntt, M. D." 
   DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR.   185

with increased cough, copious, morbid expec-
toration, hectic chills, fever, and night sweats ;
my weight was reduced from 135 to 115 lbs.
  Such was  my situation, when, about tfce
middle of July, I left home for the Red Sul-
phur Spring,  in Virginia.  On the third eve-
ning I arrived at the Warm Spring, a distance
of 230 miles from Washington, and immedi-
ately  after  getting out of the stage I plunged
into the delightful  bath of that place, an im-
prudence against which I would earnestly cau-
tion all invalids, who arrive after a long jour-
ney,  with  the system exhausted by fatigue.
The consequences  in  my own case warrant
me in pronouncing it to be fraught with great
danger.  While in the bath, its effects were
very grateful and pleasant; but shortly after
leaving it,  I  became chilly, and  this feeling
was followed by a hot skin, intense headache,
and pain in  the chest. After  breakfast the
next morning, though still  very unwell,  I con-
tinued my journey, and arrived before  night
at the White Sulphur Spring, where I remain-
ed two days, drinking freely of the water,
which seemed only to increase the cough and
pain in the chest, and produce an aggravation
             16* 
186  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

of all  the other symptoms.   Leaving  this
place on the third morning, I passed Union at
noon, dined at the  Salt Sulphur, and before
sunset arrived at this celebrated fountain, for
the benefit of whose waters I had  left home.
The Red Sulphur  Spring is situated in lati-
tude  37° 37', in  Monroe county, Virginia,
about  twenty miles  south-west  of  Union,
which is the seat of justice for the  county.
The approach to the village is beautifully ro-
mantic and picturesque.   Wending  his way
around a high mountain, the weary traveller
is for a moment charmed out  of  his fatigue
by the sudden view of his resting-place, some
hundreds of feet  immediately beneath  him.
Continuing the circuitous descent, he at length
reaches a ravine, which conducts him, after a
few rugged steps, to the entrance of a verdant
glen, surrounded on all sides by lofty moun-
tains.  The south end of this enchanting vale,
which  is the widest portion of it, is about two
 hundred yards in width.  Its course is nearly
north for about one hundred and fifty yards,
 when  it begins gradually to contract and
 change its direction  to  the north-west and
 west, until  it terminates in a narrow point. 
    DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR.  187

This beautifully secluded Tempe is the chosen
site of the village.  The north-west portion is
occupied by stables, carriage-houses, and shops
of various sorts ; the southern portion, just at
the base of the east and west mountains, is that
upon which stand the various edifices for the
accommodation of visiters.   These buildings
are spacious, and conveniently arranged ; the
servants are  prompt and obedient;  and the
" table d'hote" is  abundantly supplied with a
variety of viands that can tempt the  appetite.
The promenades, which are neatly enclosed
by a white railing, are beautifully embellish-
ed, and shaded from the mid-day sun by in-
digenes of the  forest, the large umbrageous
sugar-maple {acer saccharinum). The Spring
is situated at the south-west point of the val-
ley, and the water is collected into two white
marble fountains, over which is  thrown a sub-
stantial cover.
  At the distance of a few hundred yards from
the Red Sulphur  Spring, up the south ravine,
is another Spring, supposed to be a chalybeate
of a  singular  character.   My situation  did
not permit me to  make a satisfactory exami-
nation of  its water, but I should be highly 
188   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

gratified to know the particular character of
the water of this Spring.
  The forest trees of the eastern and western
mountains  have been cut down by Mr. Burke,
the present worthy proprietor of the Spring,
so that this delightful glen enjoys the purify-   1
ing influence of the sun from 7 o'clock in the
morning until near 5 in the afternoon, which   *
makes the grounds much drier than they for-
merly were, and less liable to morning  fogs.
Regular stages,  or post-coaches, arrive  here   i
daily both  from the  north and south.   It is   i
but justice  to the amiable and intelligent pro-
prietor to say,  that the improvements he has
made within the short period of  four years,   j
since he has had the control, give assurance
that,  should he live a few years  longer, the
Red  Sulphur Spring will not be excelled by
any of the numerous places of  resort among
the  salubrious  mountains  of the  Old Do-
minion, either in magnificence of scenery,
beauty, taste, comfort, or health.
  On the evening of my arrival at the Spring,
I commenced the use of its water.   The next
day,  during a violent paroxysm of coughing,
a coagulum of blood was discharged from the 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR.  1S9

lungs, which was followed by  considerable
hemorrhage.   After  this, the cough became
less  troublesome, but the evening exacerba-
tions of fever and the night sweats continued,
my pulse beating 115 strokes in  a minute.  I m
confined myself to a low diet, and drank six
glasses of the water during the day, namely,
two before breakfast, one  at 11 a. m., one at
5 p. m., and two at bed-time.   The water
acted freely on  the bowels, and  particularly
on the secretions of the liver.  In ten days,
the abdominal viscera were entirely relieved,
the pulse reduced to 78, and the fever  and
night sweats had ceased.   The  quantity of
water was  now increased  to twelve  glasses
during the  day, taken at the same hours, but
in double doses.   It acted very gentry on the
bowels and skin, but  most powerfully as a
diuretic.  Thus it appears that in small quan-
tities the water acted  freely on  the  bowels,
and but little on the kidneys, while in larger
quantities it acted freely on  the latter,  and
scarcely affected the former.  In fact, I could
direct its action to the one or the other at plea-
sure, by increasing or diminishing the quantity.
My cough became better, but my strength  still 
  190   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

  continued feeble, owing to my extremely low
  diet, and the copious action of the water. Un-
  fortunately I took but little exercise, which I
  deem all-important while using the waters.
.   After  a  residence, of  three weeks at the
  Spring, and the constant use of the water dur-
  ing that time, to the manifest alleviation of
  the most pressing symptoms of my complaint,
  I  was unexpectedly called  home, in conse-
  quence of the illness of a member of my fami-
  ly.  In the  commencement of my  homeward
  journey, my weak state compelled me to make
  very short stages ; but as soon as I had cross-
  ed the mountains, and  resumed  my usual
  mode  of diet, my appetite and  strength re-
  turned rapidly, and I completed the distance
  of 306 miles in five days, without feeling the
  slightest inconvenience.   The water seemed
  to produce its good effects in the improvement
  of my health  for months after I had left the
  Spring.
    In a conversation with Mr. Harvey, a plain,
  honest, and  sensible man, who was the former
  proprietor of the Red Sulphur Spring, I gather-
  ed the following facts, which I give in his own
  words.  He stated " that he had lived at and 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 191

 about  the place  for  upwards of forty-three
 years.    The  Spring  was first visited by the
 neighbours  for itch, sore  legs, and other in-
 veterate  diseases of the skin, which were al-
 ways  cured by drinking, and  rubbing the
 parts affected with the muddy deposit. About
 thirty-six years ago,  Dr.  John  Cabell, of
 Lynchburg, Va.,  was  the  first  person who
 visited the Spring  for  a cough, and disease of
 the throat, attended with chills  and fevers.
 He remained here several weeks, and returned
 home much better. The next season, several
 other persons  came, with cough, and  every
 appearance of consumption.   Afterwards, the
 number of visiters afflicted with  this disease
 increased every year.   There  are many per-
 sons now living, within my knowledge,  (said
 Mr. Harvey,) and  enjoying excellent health,
 who visited this Spring  many years ago, to
 all appearance in the  last  stage of consump-
 tion.  The visiters who were the most bene-
 fitted by  the water, remained here five or six
 weeks, confined themselves  to a  diet of rye
mush and milk, and were industrious in rising
early, drinking the water, and taking exercise.
Others, who indulged  themselves in eating, 
192   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

sleeping late in the  morning, and lounging
about during the day, derived but little ad-
vantage from the use of the water, and gene-
rally returned home dissatisfied.   The cold
plunging, or shock bath, was used in those
days with decided advantage.  I never knew
a case injured  by the use  of  the cold bath.
Many cases of dropsy visited the Spring, and
I never knew  an  instance where  they were
not relieved by the use of the water.  One of
my neighbours  was cured many years ago by
the use of this  water, and  now enjoys excel?
lent health.  I have known  many persons'
affected with complaints  of  the  liver and
bowels completely relieved by the Red Sul-
phur  water.   From the 1st of  May to the
middle of November, is the proper time for
using the water to advantage, but I think it is
strongest in  its various virtues during the
months of September and October."
  The following was presented to me by Dr.
Saunders, the resident physician, as  an ana-
lysis of the  Red Sulphur water, made at the
Spring by Professor Rogers, the Geologist of
Virginia;  but it certainly does not satisfac-
torily account for the wonderful effects of the
water. 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR.  193

 " Temperature of the Spring, 54° Fahr.
  Gaseous contents in an imperial gallon :—
     Sulphuretted hydrogen,   4-54 cub. in.
     Carbonic acid,           8-75
     Nitrogen,                4-25
  " Solid contents of 32 cubic inches of water,
gr. 1-25, consisting of sulphate of soda, lime
and magnesia, carbonate of lime and muriate
of soda.  Besides these ingredients,  the water
contains, in considerable quantity, a peculiar
organic substance, which, mingled with sul-
phur, is deposited on the sides of the Spring,
and seems to increase by a species of organic
growth."
  The Red Sulphur water is decidedly seda-
tive in its effects.   It subdues chronic inflam-
mation, tranquillizes  irritation, and reduces
the frequency of the  pulse  in  the  most as-
tonishing manner.
  It has been considered peculiarly adapted
to the  cure of pulmonary diseases,  and it is
true that it has a most beneficial influence on
most cases of this disease ; but its  good effects
equally extend to  all cases of sub-acute in-
flammation, whether seated  in the stomach,
liver, spleen,  intestines, kidneys, bladder, and
              17 
194   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

most  particularly in the mucous membrane  ^
In fact, nature never yet gave to man a reme-
dy capable of more extensive application, or
better calculated to relieve a larger class of   '
diseases.
  It is not uncommon for persons to arrive at
the Spring, who have not been able to sleep
during the night, even with the aid of opium,
and who, after  drinking the  water  for a few-
days, find their  nervous irritation so soothed
and allayed, that no other anodyne is required
to procure  them full repose for the  night.
This fact is so striking, that a young lady of
this  place, in writing to her father from the
Red  Sulphur,  facetiously styles it " Sleepy *M
Hollow."  The soporific effect  of  the water
was  most forcibly exemplified in the case of
Mr. C. Smith, of Georgetown,  D. C, a  gen-
tleman of the highest respectability, who had
been  for some  time labouring under chronic
laryngitis, and  had  not  enjoyed  sleep for
months,  even with  the aid of large doses of
morphia.  He  arrived  at the Red  Sulphur a
few days after myself, and immediately com-
menced  a free use of the water.  The third  i
night after his  arrival,  he slept soundly all Jj 
        DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 195

   night, without either coughing or turning in
   bed, and not only continued to sleep well every
   night during the use of the water, but  was
\  compelled, from  the drowsy feeling which it
   produced, to indulge himself in more than one
I   nap during the day.
    In a letter, dated some years ago at this Spring,
   from  the late F. W. Gilmer, Esq., professor
   of law in the University of Virginia, he says:
   " These waters are far superior to all others.
   In a few hours they allayed my cough so as
   to take away all that was  unpleasant in it.
   They diffuse a  sense of  coolness, freshness,
   and newer life over the whole system.  They
   abate  the pulse  most rapidly, remove fever,
   lubricate and soften whatever is hard and dry,
   make one sleep as though he had  taken an
   anodyne, are the safest of all waters, and, in-
   deed,  have no ill quality."
    The late venerable Dr. R. H. Bradford, of
   Va., who  practised  medicine for many years
   at the Red Sulphur, in a communication on
   the subject of the water, remarks : " The ef-
   fects of this water in reducing the frequency
   of the pulse, is one of the numerous, singular,
   and powerful properties belonging to it.   It 
196  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

lessens arterial action to such a degree, that
it seldom fails to remove fever, difficulty of
breathing, and pain in the chest.  When the
patient is restricted to a proper regimen, this
water may be taken with greater advantage,
in all pulmonary cases, than any other reme-
dy I have ever seen employed for that purpose.
It is also an  important remedy in enlarged
liver and spleen, and in  diseases of the mu-
cous membrane generally."
  The Rev. W. M. Green, a pious, good man,
of Hillsboro', North Carolina, makes the fol-
lowing  communication, dated  October 15th,
1837. " In the month of March, 1830, (being
then in my 32d year,) I was taken with a dis-
tressing cough, which would scarcely permit
me  to speak half a dozen words successively
without interruption.  The attack was doubt-
less the effect  of much exposure in travelling
the preceding winters, hastened and  aggra-
vated  by  certain, symptoms  of dyspepsia,
which had been increasing upon me for some
months previous.  The symptoms of my dis-
ease, when first taken  down, and  for a long
time after, were an incessant hacking cough,
and clearing of the throat without expectora- 
     DR. nUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 197

 tion, a sense of choking or suffocation in the
 lower part of the larynx, which afterwards
 became inflamed and painful, a pulse varying
 from 100 to 120 strokes in  a minute, a stric-
 ture across the breast preventing full inspi-
 ration, dark greenish stools, lateritious urine,
 copious and exhausting  night sweats, sleep-
 lessness, great nervous irritability, a craving
 appetite, with oppression after eating, insati-
 able thirst, frequent involuntary sighing, and
 more or less fever during the day, especially
 in the afternoon.
   "The medicines first  administered  were
 brown mixture, and other expectorants of a
 similar kind, together with  the free use of
 tartar emetic ointment!  My disease, however,
 seemed to  gather  force,  until a  temporary
 check was given by the exhibition  of calomel
 in broken doses, until salivation was produced,
 which  alleviated some of the most  distressing
 symptoms.   As soon as I  had regained suffi-
 cient strength for the  journey, I set out with
 a kind friend to spend a few  weeks near the
sea-coast.   The trip, however, was without
sensible benefit, owing to the prevalence at
the time of raw easterly winds, and I returned
             17* 
198  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

to all appearance the same, if not worse than
on leaving home.
  " Having heard much of the efficacy of the
Red Sulphur water, I determined to try it.
Accordingly, leaving home early in July, I
reached that place about the 10th, confining
myself closely to the  use of the water, and of
the sulphur shower-bath, for nine weeks.  I
had not  been  at the Spring more than two
days before I began to experience a favourable
influence on my system generally, as well as
an amelioration of some of the principal symp-
toms of  my complaint.   My pulse soon felt
the wonder-working power of that mysteri-
ous tempest-stilling agent which resides in
those waters.  Arterial action was greatly re-
duced, the  nervous system composed, the
cough brought  down to a mere fractional part
of its former proportions, digestion improved,
sleep restored, urine  rendered  colourless, the
stricture across the breast less oppressive,
night sweats lessened ; in a word, every pain-
ful and dangerous feature of the disease was
moderated, and time allowed to shake off the
enemy.  The two most striking effects pro-
duced by the use of this water were the evident 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 199

reduction of arterial action, at the same time
that the general  system was recovering its
tone,  and the  total  extinguishment of that
burning thirst which had been tormenting me
for more than twelve months.   I hesitate not
to state here, what may appear  incredible to
many, that for  nearly six months after I re-
turned  home I felt no  symptom of thirst,
whereas,  before  my going to the  Spring,
scarcely fifteen  minutes would elapse during
the day between  my calls for water.   This
latter effect was still more strikingly experi-
enced in the case of the Rev. Mr. H**t, of Hali-
fax county, Va., who assured me, after visit-
ing the Spring  a single  season,  he remained
eighteen months  a stranger  to thirst.  As to
the effect  on  my pulse,  although  it was  de-
cidedly marked  and beneficial, yet there were
other cases under  my own observation of still
more striking character.   One I distinctly re-
member, that of a Mr. Boal, a young Irishman,
residing in Lynchburg, Va.  He came to  the
Spring by the advice of his  physicians, who
saw in him the well-known symptoms of pul-
monary disease.  On his arrival, the average
stroke of his pulse was  from 110  to 120 in a 
200  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

minute.   In three days, without the aid of
any other means than the free use of the water,
it was reduced to the healthful beat of 65
strokes in a minute.  The case of Mrs. B****r,
of Raleigh, is no less remarkable; such was
the effect of the water on her arterial system,
that a single glass was known to reduce the
pulse 10 beats in a minute.
  " My usual habit was to drink three or four
glasses of the water before breakfast, three at
11 or 12 o'clock, two  about  5 o'clock in the
afternoon, and two on  going to bed.  I am
convinced  that what was taken late at night,
and very early in the morning, was more effi-
cacious than all the rest taken during the day.
My exercise consisted in a ride of three miles
before  breakfast, on horseback, another about
sunset in  my carriage, and  in the  interval
an  occasional game at the  shuffle-board—a
game,  though not very  refined, unquestion-
ably admirably  adapted to exercise a weak
chest.
  " It  may be well to mention here, that  on
my return home, my appearance was so little
improved, as to produce the impression among
my friends that  my  trip had been without 
    DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 201

benefit.   Nor was the improvement which
really had  been produced, perceived in  its
extent, even by myself, until I had been at
home  a week or two.   I mention this for the
encouragement of other invalids, who return
home  dejected and hopeless, because they do
not experience the immediate good effect of
this and other Sulphur waters* The effect is,
in many cases, felt only after the fatigue of the
journey is over, and  the  noisy bustle of the
watering-place forgotten amidst the comfort
and quiet of  home.   I will only add, that
after  my return, I  was enabled occasionally
to occupy my pulpit,  and  to enjoy the society
of my friends.
  " The next season  I sought the mountains
again, but finding my pulmonary symptoms
in a great measure removed, and my dyspep-
sia but little abated, I spent  the greater part
of my time at the White Sulphur.  A third
visit,  two years after  the second, served to re-
move  every unpleasant symptom, and put the
blessing of health once more in my reach.  At
this moment,  the  only remnant of disease,
which all my friends, and nearly all my phy-
sicians, pronounced to be phthisis pulmonalis, 
202   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

is an appetite which often needs the bridle of
just moderation.
 " To Him who preserved me be all honor and praise."
  Mr. James Boal, of Lynchburg, who  lost
two brothers by pulmonary consumption, in
a communication dated Red Sulphur, August
5th, 1837, states: "A change of life, from being
an active farmer to that of a  sedentary store-
keeper, produced constipation and general de-
bility (especially in  my arms and  knees,) a
dry tickling  sensation in  the  throat,  slight
cough,  and but  little expectoration.   The
tightness increased, until riding a refractory
horse, I had an attack of hemorrhage; the
discharge  at first was  pretty copious,  of a
scarlet  frothy appearance, moderating  to a
mixture of bloody phlegm.  My nights were
passed with but little sleep, and that disturbed
by troublesome dreams. In the month of June,
1828, had an attack of diarrhoea, and was very
much reduced.   About the 1st of July, 1828,
I visited the Red Sulphur Spring.   My pulse
on my arrival, (when free  from excitement,)
was about 120 pulsations in a minute.  Com-
menced-drinking  the water, and in one week 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 203

my pulse was reduced  to  65  strokes  in  a
minute, with an improvement in my strength
and feelings generally.   Supposing my cure
effected, I omitted the use of the water  for a
few days, and found  my pulse increasing in
frequency. I again used it three weeks longer,
when my pulse  was reduced  to its  former
standard,  of  65  strokes  in  a minute.   My
course of diet—for breakfast, dried toast and
boiled milk, or black  tea ; for dinner,  a  little
venison or mutton, rice, or cold wheat bread;
for supper, cold rye mush and milk,  always
guarding against rich sauces or pastry ;  took
exercise in the open  air.   My plan was, to
drink freely, say six  or eight glasses  of the
water before  breakfast, keeping in  constant
motion.   The general operation of the water
was that of a diuretic,  and by taking exercise,
perspiration  was  very copious.    My bowels
were regular, once a day,  and have continued
so (except from  casual  indisposition)  ever
since.  I visited the Red Sulphur in the sum-
mer of 1829,  and had my general health  so
completely restored, that I am  now here  in
August, 1837,  on a visit to my old friend and
benefactor, in  perfect health." 
204   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

   The following  communication  is from
Chief Justice  Taney, of the Supreme Court
U. S., dated Baltimore, Jan. 8, 1838 :
  " The information you have received as to
the benefit  derived  from  the  Red  Sulphur
Spring by Mrs. Taney and myself, is correct.
We  spent  six weeks or more there,  in the
summer of 1835, and both of us  were  in bad
health when we went there.   The  journey,
however, was taken on Mrs. Taney's account,
and by the advice of Dr. Potter and Dr. Buck-
ler.   Her health had been failing for several
years, and  her lungs were supposed to be se-
riously threatened.  She complained of a pain
in her breast, coughed a good deal, and  had
an excited and quick pulse.  The alarming
symptoms were entirely removed by her visit
to the Red Sulphur, and she has  since enjoy-
ed her ordinary health.  It is proper, perhaps,
to remark, that although  Mrs. Taney felt in
some degree the  benefit of the water, while
she remained  at the Spring, yet  we were not
sensible of the  extent  of the improvement
until some time after our return home. Both
of us have since had much better health than
we had known for  years before, and we both 
        DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR.  205

    have great confidence in the efficacy of those
|jr  waters, and, I may add, retain a lively recol-
    lection of the kind attentions of Mr. and Mrs.
*   Burke, while we remained there." 
CHAPTER XVI.
  {Dr. Huntt.)—The following four cases were
communicated by a distinguished physician
of South Carolina, who passed the summers of
1822-23 and  part of '24 at the Red Sulphur
Spring, and whose name commands as much
respect and  confidence as that of any other
gentleman in the Southern country :
  " I shall give you a few of the very many
cases that have come under my notice, of the
efficacy of the Red  Sulphur water in pulmo-
nary diseases.  This is due to  the communi-
ty, and also to the intelligent proprietor, who
unites in himself the good manners and polite-
ness of a gentleman, with  the capacity and
disposition to add all that he can to the com-
fort, both of  the valetudinarian and traveller
who may be  in pursuit of pleasure.
  Case 1.—" In the winter of 1821, it became
the  duty of B. H.  to  devote himself to his
friend, A. B., far advanced in pulmonary dis- 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR.  207

ease.   B. H. was in good  health, and -not in
the slightest degree predisposed to pulmonary
consumption, either by figure or inheritance.
A. B. died during this  winter with the tuber-
culous form of this disease.   In the spring,
B. H. began  to feel  pains  in the chest  and
sides, and frequently to have a tickling sen-
sation about the epiglottis.   In July, a slight
cough made  its appearance, and after a week
or ten days,  was followed  by an attack of
haemoptysis.   The use  of the lancet,  low
diet, and some  mild expectorant, afforded so
much relief that the usual  occupation of B.
II. was resumed.  In August, another attack,
more severe, was experienced, and a trouble-
some cough excited more alarm.   The usual
remedies were  used,  and  with relief.   In
September; a severe attack ensued, a large
vessel was ruptured, nearly a pint of blood
was thrown  up from  the  lungs,  and great
emaciation took place.  The cough could not
be checked, and in October B. H. sailed for
the Island of Cuba, with  little expectation of
ever returning; but his situation was improv-
ed by the mild winter of this delightful cli-
mate.   In April, 1822, he  returned  to Caro- 
208    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

lina, still  coughing.   His  situation now be-
came very alarming to his friends, and it was
decided that a trip to Virginia should be tried.
B. H. rode through the western part of North
Carolina and East Tennessee, and came  into
Western Virginia at  Abingdon, and reached
the Red Sulphur early in June. At this time
I was called upon to visit him, and found his
pulse 106, cough troublesome,  pains in the
chest, appetite  very  variable,  tongue preter-
naturally  clean, bowels much disordered and
irregular,  skin dry and feverish about noon.
I directed three tumblers of water to be taken
at bed-time, four before breakfast, and as many
as were necessary to satisfy thirst during the
other times  of the day.  In two weeks, the
pulse was reduced to 84, 78, and  then  75;
the cough very much diminished,  the pains
in the  breast were  gradually disappearing.
The digestion became good, the bowels regu-
lar, the skin comfortable, and the appearance
of the patient much improved.  The diet was
very  simple, and the greatest attention  was
paid both to the quality and quantity of it;
tea and coffee were abandoned; homony, rice,
or rye mush, with milk, constituted the break- 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 209

 fast; a small portion of mutton or venison,
 with rice, made the dinner, and dry toast and
 water the supper.   At the  end of five weeks,
 B.  H. left the Spring perfectly renovated, and
 apparently quite well, having gained 15 lbs.
 in weight.
   " In  1823  and '24, he  again visited the
 Spring, and remained several weeks ; he was
 not sick, but  unwell, and  returned to the
 Spring  rather  to confirm,  than to  renew his
 health.   This is a strong case.  The circum-
 stances  of it authorize me to make it stronger,
 but  I am unwilling to excite  doubts of the
 value of the Spring, by writing extravagantly
 of its water."
   Case  2.—" Mr. J. S., of Mississippi, reached
 the Red Sulphur  Spring in  July,  1822.   I
 being the only physician on the spot, was re-
 quested to visit him professionally.  I found
 my patient the most emaciated  object I ever
 saw, to be moving from place to place.  The
 history of his case, as I learned from himself,
 was very concise.   He had been a soldier at
 New-Orleans, and  bore his share in the dan-
gers and difficulties of the campaign, had suf-
fered much from exposure, and at the close of
             18* 
210   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

the war, was, like the rest of the volunteers,
sent  home, and like  many others, was the
worse for the services he had rendered.   His
constitution was shattered, and he had been,
more or less, an invalid, until within a few
months of his arrival at the Red Sulphur. A
severe cold had left him with a cough, and
after a while, this had  been  succeeded by
haemoptysis of a  most alarming character;
repeated  attacks left  him  without strength,
and  without  hope.   He had  no  hereditary
predisposition to pulmonary disease.  He had
been on the road for  some time, and seldom
travelled more than  five miles a day.   His
cough was very distressing, pulse quick to the
touch, and  counting 125 in a  minute, night
sweats and diarrhoea,  pains in  the chest, and
very hurried respiration, with profuse expec-
toration, all presented themselves.   To me
this seemed a hopeless case, and, as I thought,
beyond the reach of the profession.  A  large
blister was applied to  the chest, an expec-
torant mixture was prescribed, a table spoon-
ful to be  taken whenever  the  cough  was
troublesome.   He was directed to commence
with the water in small quantities, (for I was 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 211

fearful of increasing the diarrhoea.)  He took
two  tumblers  at bed-time, and two in  the
morning early.  Upon visiting  him the next
day, I was informed that he had  passed a com-
fortable night, comparatively speaking, had
slept several  hours, and  was not as much
harassed as usual, either by the bowels  or
cough.   He was directed to live  upon rice
and milk, dry toast, and weak tea. This plan
was  persisted in, as my notes show, for ten or
twelve days, with a gradual  improvement in
the case.  After this  time, the water was in-
creased to eight, and sometimes ten tumblers
in the day.  The pulse was soon reduced in
force and frequency, and the  cough much
mitigated.   The sweats at length ceased, and
the diarrhoea 'disappeared.   The effect of the
water upon  the pulse in  this case was very
remarkable ; it seemed to control  it as you
would the horse with the  bridle; the patient
was so sensible of this, that he used to laugh,
and say, if he  took an over-dose of the water,
his pulse, he believed, woidd cease entirely.
He rode on  horseback at  the end of a few
weeks, ten miles, without inconvenience;  his
weight was  very  much  increased, and  he 
212   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

thought himself well.   In six weeks after his
arrival, he left the Spring, certainly more im-
proved than any one I had ever seen, with no
symptoms of  disease  remaining  except the
cough, and  that very  much mitigated.  In
1823, Mr. J. S. returned to the Spring, and I
saw him daily; he stated that he had con-
tinued well  until March,  when a sudden
change of weather, for which he was not pre-
pared, brought on a catarrhal affection, upon
the subsidence of which, a cough, and much
debility ensued. He remained for three weeks,
and again left us in good health, with the ex-
ception of a cough, which was by no  means
troublesome.   From this period I  have heard
nothing of Mr. J. S., but am persuaded that
he recovered entirely."
  Case 3.—" Mr. J. C, of North Carolina, was
directed to go  to the Virginia Springs  by his
medical adviser, in 1823 ; but was left  to find
out the particular Spring that was adapted to
his case.   I was on a visit to  the----Spring,
and found Mr. J.  C, who, upon hearing that
I was a medical man, asked  for advice. He
was of a robust habit originally, (as he stated,)
and was  most unexpectedly  attacked by hae- 
DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 213
moptysis, whilst in the midst of his usual
occupations,  which were  mercantile.   His
strength was  at  this time  considerable, his
pulse full and strong,  respiration  laborious
and painful, skin dry, appetite inordinate, and
the cough allowing him no rest at night.  I
used the lancet very freely, limited the diet to
bread and milk, and water, and desired him
to remain quiet.  Upon the ensuing day, the
lancet was again used freely, the  symptoms
not being mitigated ; on the third day, there
was  little or no improvement, and I  desired
him to proceed to the Red Sulphur, and to
use the water in full doses, say, four tumblers
before bed-time, and four before breakfast, to
live low, to take  no exercise, and be as quiet
as possible.  In a week or ten days  I returned
to the Red Sulphur, and the first person that
greeted me was Mr. J. C. ;  his symptoms had
all subsided, which the  lancet failed to con-
trol,  and  yielded at once  to the use of the
water.   This is certainly a most remarkable
property in this water, but it is so well known
to the surrounding country, as well as to nu-
merous persons who have visited the  Spring,
that we incur no risk in. making the statement 
214   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

we have.  It is also peculiar to the water, that
although on the lowest diet, the strength im-
proves, and the weight is uniformy increased.
After some  few  weeks  Mr.  J. C. returned
home, restored to the enjoyment of health, and
I have never heard of his return to the Spring,
which he would  certainly have done had it
been necessary to do so.   I could go on, my
dear sir, and add case after case ; but it is
unnecessary to do so, the reputation of the
Spring is too well established to require any
eulogy.  I will add one  more  case, and that
not of a pulmonary character, in which the
water of the Red Sulphur evinced all the vir-
tues that I  have attributed to it in the cases
stated."
   Case 4.—" General B., from Prince Edward
county, in Virginia, arrived at  the Red Sul-
phur Spring in August, 1823, so much swollen
as to be taken from his carriage with difficul-
ty.   The  face, hands, feet,  and legs, were
swollen  to an enormous size ;  the abdomen
was absolutely pendulous, and the whole ap-
pearance indicated dropsy in  its most terrible
form.   The bowels were torpid,  the urine
scanty and  high-coloured, the appetite bad, 
    DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 215

and the digestion worse, sleep was disturbed
and painful, from the inability to lay down,
and the strength reduced, and daily becoming
less.
  " The General seemed in much better spirits
than could have  been expected, and  stated,
that he had come there on a former occasion
quite as sick as we then saw him, and that he
had reason to have all confidence in the water.
No medicine was taken, but the water was
used in such quantities as the stomach would
bear.  In a few days the bowels became loose,
and at the same time the kidneys began to se-
crete and pour forth urine in large quantities.
The swelling of course began to subside, and
all the  functions to assume a more healthy
tone and character.   The General remained
until the latter end of September, and returned
home apparently in good health.   The patient
whose case has been  stated, lived  in a fever
and ague country, and had suffered much from
this disease ; his liver was certainly very much
deranged in function, if not in structure ; his
physicians  at home  had pronounced it an in-
curable case of hepatitis, and did not think he
could reach the Spring. 
2€6   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

  " In '24 I saw  the  General at the Spring
again; his health  was apparently good, but he
complained of indisposition, and  certainly im-
proved during his residence  at the Red Sul-
phur.  I  have thus, my dear sir, made  from
my notes  the  statements herewith sent you.
I could multiply them to a considerable ex-
tent, but it is useless,  as they all go to prove
the same  thing, viz.,  the  influence that the
Red Sulphur water exercises over the arterial
system. I shall not attempt to reason the sub-
ject ;  it would be  satisfactory  to me if I could
account for the facts, but it is sufficient for me
that the facts do exist.
  " I  do not wish to be understood as stating
that the water of  the  Red Sulphur will cure
confirmed phthisis, or tuberculous consump-
tion ;  but I believe that we are very often mis-
taken, in supposing a  case of  pulmonary irri-
tation  more desperate and hopeless  than it
really is, and I believe that in most cases, if
this Spring is  resorted to early, and the cloth-
ing, and diet, and exercise, duly attended  to,
its waters  will be found a most  powerful ad-
junct and assistant in the management of these
hitherto unmanageable cases." 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR.  217

  During my visit to the Red Sulphur, every
day was devoted to  the investigation of the
various diseases which afflicted the visiters at
that place ; noting particularly the effects of
the water in the different diseases.
  Most of the  cases were various  forms of
pulmonary consumption.  In the earliest stage
of tuberculous  disease, the patients generally
complained of abdominal plethora, with cough,
some oppression, and restless nights, with fre-
quent  pulse.  In all  these  cases, where the
water  was taken  in such quantities as to
operate on the bowels for a week or ten days,
and afterwards increasing the quantity so as
to act freely as a diuretic, and  the patients
were abstemious in their diet, and took exer-
cise regularly, a rapid improvement was most
generally the consequence.  On  the contrary,
those who used but little exercise, and indulg-
ed their appetite without restraint, were slow
and tedious in their convalescence.  Let  it be
impressed on the  minds  of all  tuberculous
patients, that sedentary habits are among the
most powerful  causes of tuberculous diseases.
   Many persons arrive at the Red Sulphur,
who are not prepared to use the water, in con-
              19 
218  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

sequence of high inflammation, or congestion
of the  lungs or other organs, attended with
pain in the side, constriction'at the breast, or
hot and  restless nights, with a quick, sharp
pulse ; all such cases must have the vascular
excitement subdued, before  the water can be
taken to advantage.  I saw several of those
cases under the management of Dr. Saunders,
the resident physician of the place, who treated
them very successfully, by means of bleeding,
local  and general,  emetics  of ipecac before
bed-time, blisters, and occasionally the  blue
pill.
   Most of the visiters at the Red Sulphur this
season were labouring under tuberculous con-
sumption, of the second, or middle stage; many
of them  had visited the Spring  one or two
seasons, and there was scarcely an exception
among them, who had not experienced one or
more attacks of haemoptysis; and haemoptysis
may generally be considered as an indication
of tubercles  in the lungs.  Those who  had
visited the Spring before, would say, that they
returned home apparently cured, cough, night
sweats, expectoration, frequent pulse, all  re-
lieved, a good appetite restored, and  flesh in- 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 219

creasing daily.   Towards the spring season,
the pulmonary symptoms would commence to
kindle up again, and by June or July it would
become necessary to repeat the visit to the
Red  Sulphur, although the symptoms were
much less  aggravated,  and the constitution
much less enfeebled than during the previous
season.
  The water of the Red Sulphur seems to act
by soothing irritation, lessening the frequency
of the pulse, and by subduing the inflamma-
tion  of the tissues in  contact with the tu-
bercles,  and thereby rendering the tubercles
harmless ; and  also by suspending that ten-
dency of the system to generate or deposit
tuberculous matter. It is not unusual in post-
mortem  examinations to discover tubercles in
the lungs of subjects who had never exhibited
any signs of pulmonary disease  during their
lifetime  ; and in visiting the slaughter houses
of butchers, we have been astonished to ob-
serve  numerous tubercles  in the liver and
lungs of animals,  particularly the hog, and
the sheep, which were fat, and otherwise in a
healthy condition.
  " Dr. Cars well," says Dr. James Clark, " has 
220   SPRINGS OF WESTERN. VIRGINIA.

remarked it as an important fact, that the mu-
cous and serous tissues in contact with the
tuberculous   matter, are often found in  a
healthy condition ;  while this continues, tu-
bercles  may remain an indefinite  length of
time in their original state, or the  softer part
of the tubercle may be absorbed, leaving the
more solid calcareous portion on its site,—a
termination  which occurs more commonly, I
believe, than is generally supposed."
  Among this description of patients who had
visited the Red Sulphur two seasons, was Mr.
Jacob S. King, of Henry  county, Va., who
stated he was taken ill with influenza in Feb-
ruary, 1835, followed  by pulmonary symp-
toms of a serious character.  " About the 7th
of August following," says  Mr. King, " I ar-
rived at the Red Sulphur  Spring, labouring
under diarrhoea, with acute pain in both sides,
so much so  that I could not remain on either
side for one minute at a time without great
suffering.  My pulse was from 120 to 130 in
a minute, and my cough  very troublesome.
The second day after my arrival at the Red
Sulphur, I was freely cupped and leeched on
both sides, and at night took a pill composed 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 221

of morphine, ipecac, and blue  mass.   The
third morning I took an emetic of ipecacuan-
ha.  My diet was simply one glass of milk,
and a piece of stale  light bread, three times a
day for fourteen  days, and  drank the water
freely during this period.  I gained a pound
of flesh daily, and my pulse was  reduced to
76 in a minute ; my cough, strength, and gene-
ral feelings were very much improved; bowels
entirely regular, and in good condition.
  " I am now at the  Red  Sulphur, August,
1837, enjoying much better health than in
1835, my cough being very slight, although
my health is not entirely restored."
  The cases, generally, labouring under this
stage of pulmonary disease, improved in their
health,  particularly if they remained long
enough at the Spring, restricted themselves to
proper diet, and took sufficient exercise ; but
there were a few among them who took little
or no exercise, and gave unlimited indulgence
to an inordinate  appetite.   In such cases I
took no interest, and observed but little change
in their appearance.
  On examining the visiters labouring under
pulmonary disease, I observed that all those
             19* 
222   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

patients who drank the water so as to act free-
ly on the bowels, for  any length  of  time,  did
not  improve in their health, because active
purging is  not proper for the lungs in this
disease.  The water  must be drank in such
quantities  as  to  act  freely  on the  kidneys.
There  seems  to  be an intimate association*
between the lungs  and the  kidneys, and the
kidneys seem to be the great emunctories by
which the lungs are relieved in all pulmonary
diseases.  This idea has been repeatedly sug-
gested  to me, in my attendance on patients
labouring  under this disease ; on  inquiring
into their condition,  they frequently said, " I
feel  much  better to-day ; I have had a copious
flow of urine, which has afforded  me great
relief."  This view of the connexion between
the  lungs and the kidneys has been confirm-
ed by witnessing the diuretic effects of the
Red Sulphur water in pulmonary diseases.  I
have a friend who is a physician, and who has
laboured  more or less under pulmonary dis-
ease for twenty years.  He informed me that

   *  This association seems to exist also between the
heart and the kidneys, as manifested during the use of
the water in several  cases of diseases of the  heart. 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 223

 when  his  lungs were disturbed by irritation,
 he always  resorted to " cooling diuretic medi-
 cines for relief."
   There are but few persons labouring under
 the third or last stage of tuberculous diseases,
 who visited the Red Sulphur this season, and
 among those  few  there was scarcely a case
 that derived any advantage  from the use of
 the water.   When tuberculous  disease arrives
 at this.stage, and  the  constitution is broken
 down, it is not only useless but cruel to send
 the patient to the  Red Sulphur.  I am sorry
 to say, that several of my patients in this con-
 dition, by my advice, visited the Red Sulphur
 this season, and I witnessed the bad effects of
 the water in their cases, as well  as in the cases
 of others of a similar character.  They were
 labouring under that peculiar  irritation, and
 perhaps ulceration of the bowels, so common
 in this stage of the disease.  They were un-
 able to drink but a small quantity of the water,
and the consequence was, that the bowels were
purged and griped, the secretion of the kid-
neys was not increased, and the patient grew
worse daily.
  The following case of rheumatism of the 
224   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

heart was communicated by Wallace Allen,
Esq., of Richmond,  Va., dated  Feb. 15th,
1838:
   " For some years I was a martyr to rheu-
matic affections, and  finding no permanent
relief from the various remedies  proposed
either by my friends or attending physicians,
I was induced, as a dernier resort, to visit the
Hot Springs in  the summer of 1831.  After
remaining  there eighteen days, I found  my
health so far restored as to deem a longer stay
unnecessary.  From  that period, my health,
though not robust, suffered little apparent de-
clension  until 1835, when  I began to expe-
rience a change of feeling, commencing with
irregular and  inordinate action of the heart:
that organ being evidently  enlarged,  and its
vessels, together with  the arterial system, suf-
fering great derangement, and producing vio-
lent palpitations.  During  the latter  part of
that year, and beginning of the next,  my dis-
ease gained ground to an alarming extent.  I
became  listless  and  inactive.   My  mental
faculties seemed obscured in a cloud,  and my
physical energies so prostrated, that an entire
suspension of my regular pursuits  became 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 225

imperious.  Under these circumstances, I con-
sulted a medical gentleman of great eminence
residing in Philadelphia, who, after minute
investigation,  pronounced  my  disease rheu-
matism  of the heart, and  prescribed, as the
only means of cure, moderate exercise, meagre
diet, and a  trip to the Hot Spring.   At this
time, the symptoms were so severe as almost
to threaten the extinction of  life ; intense
throbbing of the  temporal  arteries, great de-
bility, and depression of spirits,  were  the cha-
racteristic features of my complaint.   In the
month of July, 1837,1 visited  the Hot Spring,
where I remained thirty days, and experienced
considerable alleviation.   I then determined
on removing to the Red Sulphur, thinking to
test  by my own observation  and experience
the high renown of their medical  properties,
as famed for allaying arterial excitement. Ac-
cordingly,  early  in  September, with  some
agreeable companions, (which formed a great
inducement,) I wended my way to  that beau-
tiful valley,  where health and pleasure seem
to dwell  as  tutelar  guardians of the lovely
spot.   There  I determined to  remain some
days, that  I might inhale the invigorating 
226  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

freshness of the  mountain air, and luxuriate
in the delights of the mountain scenery. Ana
well was I repaid, not only in the happy re-
sults of the experiment, as it regarded my
health, but further, as it enabled me to culti-
vate some valuable acquaintances recently
formed, among whom I am  pleased to recog-
nize a physician, who  evinced  no common
interest and sympathy in my case.   By his
advice I remained  three weeks,  making free
use of this health-restoring fluid, and  receiv-
ing therefrom benefit transcending my most
sanguine  expectations.   During my  stay at
this Spring, I found each  painful and alarm-
ing  symptom gradually  subsiding, and  the
pulsations of the heart and greater arteries de-
creased from 96 to 72 vibrations in a minute,
the throbbing of the head ceased  to annoy me,
and I have every reason to consider  myself
convalescent.  The last week in September I
 returned  home  with renewed health and in-
vigorated feelings, and am now daily growing
 better.   My usual amount of strength has re-
 turned, and  I am confirmed in  the opinion,
 that the  malady under which I had so long
 laboured, and all its consecutives, have been 
      DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR. 227

  totally eradicated by the free use of the Red
  Sulphur water.
    " Here let me bear testimony to the polite
  kindness of the worthy proprietor of that cele-
  brated watering-place, whose unceasing atten-
  tions to the wants and comforts of his guests
  call for high eulogium."
    The Red Sulphur water may be used with
  the most decided benefit  in obstinate cases of
  bowel  complaints, gleet, leucorrhoea, catarrh
 of the bladder, and uterine derangement.
   It is not unusual  for  persons while using
 this water to pass calculi from the bladder,
 some specimens of which are  in  my posses-
 sion, about the size of common beans.   I do
 not pretend to assert  that the water has  any
 specific action on the stone ; but by its power-
 ful diuretic effects, by allaying  irritation, and
 probably by relaxing the  urethra,  the calculi
 are washed from the bladder as it were with-
 out pain.  This fact is worthy the considera-
 tion of all persons labouring under affections
 of the kidneys or bladder.
   The general instructions which have been
given regarding the  mode of using the Red
Sulphur water, may not be considered sufii- 
228   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

cientiy condensed to meet the view  of the
general reader ;  I will, therefore, recapitulate
the directions.   Begin the  use of the water
with great caution.  If the system should be
too plethoric, or too much excited, the use of
the water should be postponed until  the ex-
citement shall  be reduced  to a proper state.
Commence by taking one glass of water at bed-
time, and one before breakfast;  after a few
days, take two glasses at bed-time, and two
before breakfast, one at  11 a. m.,  and one at
5 p. m.  This quantity will generally  operate
freely on the bowels ;  if it should fail to pro-
duce this effect, a little common salt, magnesia,
or cream of tartar, may be added.   If it is de-
sired to act on the kidneys, increase the quan-
tity of water to  three or four glasses between
a light supper  and bed-time,  and the  same
quantity between daylight and  breakfast time,
two  glasses at noon, and one or  two  glasses
about 5 o'clock p. m., taking care to exercise
 freely after drinking.   The most proper pe-
 riods for using the water are at night before
bed-time, and in the morning before breakfast
 time. * 
CHAPTER XVII.
  Having now, we think, conclusively prov-
ed, not only that tubercular consumption is
not incurable, but that the Red Sulphur water
affords the best chances for cure or relief, we
feel it incumbent upon us to make a few ob-
servations on the treatment of that disease.
  We have always been of the opinion that
too much practice has been the great error of
the  profession, in their attempt to counteract
its progress.  Gentlemen of the  Sangrado
family, yielding too readily to the specious
theories of Broussais and others, seem to think
that while there is an ounce of blood  in  the
body, they must continue to cup, and leech, and
phlebotomize their unfortunate patient, when,
in fact, it is for want of blood, and from the
defective quality of what he has, his life is
ebbing away to its kindred earth, as the tide
returns to the  bosom of  the ocean.  We do
not say that this is so in all  cases; but we
             20 
230   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

maintain that the vast majority of cases of tu-
bercular consumption  are  dependent on con-
stitutional debility, and that, if you impru-
dently  add to  this condition  by untimely
depletion, you  at once prostrate those  vital
powers which  otherwise  might have made
some struggle  against the enemy.  Do we
then deny the utility of depletion altogether ?
By no means.   If there be a congested  state
of the blood-vessels, or any other  indication
absolutely demanding  blood-letting, it should
not be delayed.   We are not arguing against
a cautious and  judicious  depletion,  but we
protest against the practice  of some physicians
in sticking their lancet, upon all and every oc-
casion, into their unfortunate patients.
  The attention should first be directed to the
cause of the patient's condition, and to the re-
moval or modification  of that cause.  Nature
having a horror of dissolution,  struggles to
maintain  herself against the foe ; a feather
thrown into  the balance for  or  against her,
may decide her fate.  Oh what a responsibili-
ty rests upon him who undertakes to correct
her aberrations, and lead her back to the way
she should go!  It is not to be denied that 
     DR. HUNTT ON THE RED SULPHUR.  231

tuberculous or calculous deposits in the lungs
produce inflammation, and that sometimes it
is so serious as to demand depleting remedies ;
but here we should stop, else we  throw open
the gates that otherwise  may have  opposed
some resistance, however feeble, to the assail-
ant.  It is agreed by all, that in the early stages
of chronic consumption a change to country
air is proper.  Now it is evident, that if any lo-
cation combines all the advantages of a good
climate with an agent whose power in  this
disease has been well ascertained, it affords all
the chances which a change of residence  can
offer.
  In an early part of this work, we took occa-
sion to give our own experience of the climate
of the mountains of Virginia;  and we  here re-
peat, it cannot be surpassed from the 1st of
June to the 15th November.   In  some cases
of asthma it is  unsuited, on account of its  ele-
vation ; but, sheltered as it is  from the north-
easterly winds of our sea-board,  it  scarcely
feels the equinoctial  tempests, and the air is
always pure, balmy, and invigorating.
  We have already given our views of the spe-
cies of diet which generally suits those who 
232   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

use mineral waters. At this Spring, there can
be no doubt that an act of imprudence in diet
may be  more detrimental than at  any other.
Itself a sedative, if, under its use, the invalid
gorges himself with a stimulating diet, it is
disturbed in  its operations, and from being
originally a sedative, may,  by abuse, be con-
verted into a stimulant.  In the  first stage,
mild  farinacious diet is that pointed out by
nature ;  in the latter stages more  nutriment,
and sometimes even a stimulant, is admissible.
The use of the Red Sulphur water, as we have
recommended it, under the best circumstances
of judicious  management, suitable exercise,
prudence in diet, and a residence during the
winter in a mild climate, may, under  Provi-
dence, restore  many  interesting persons to
usefulness and their friends.
   While some have been sceptical as to the
value of the Red Sulphur water in tubercular
consumption, others seem desirous to make the
impression that it  is good for nothing else.
   Now we think we  have  already  demon-
strated,  not only that it is valuable  in  con-
sumption, but that, acting on the human sys-
tem not as a specific, but on great  general 
LARYNGITIS.
233
principles, it is equally available  in all cases
of subacute inflammation and irritable condi-
tion of the system, whether produced by mor-
bid function or organic lesion of some organ.
That man, therefore, who  acknowledges  its
value in diseases of the chest, and refuses his
confidence in kindred diseases, can have  but
a faint idea of the nice physiological relations
of the human body, of the pathological changes
and complications induced by abnormal func-
tion, or of the influences exerted by remedial
agents in restoring the balances that had more
or less varied from the healthy standard.   We
shall  conclude our  notice  of this water by
taking a cursory view of the more important
diseases to which it is applicable, and shall
then leave its reputation to the great arbiter
of all  such questions—public opinion.
  Laryngitis may be divided into acute and
chronic.  The former does not fall within the
scope of our design in writing this work ;  but
as we think we can make a useful suggestion
in this formidable disease, we will  be excused
for occupying the attention of the reader for a
short time.
  Acute Laryngitis usually commences with
             20* 
234   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

inflammation of the tonsils, and of the fauces
generally, and is  ushered in  by chills and
fevers ;  inflammation progresses rapidly, and
unless relief is quickly obtained the patient
lapses into the asthenic stage, and the painful
scene soon closes.   Now if the  patient is seen
whilst depletion is yet admissible, how mav it
be effected with the greatest chances of suc-
cess 7  The mode of operation we shall sug-
gest is so obviously the proper one, that it is
matter of surprise it has not been in general
use for centuries in this and other acute inflam-
mations of the fauces, such as tonsilitis, &c.
Yet except the few  physicians we have in-
formed of the operation, and  shown  how to
perform it, we have known of  no solitary in-
stance in which it has been practised in this
country.  The operation we refer to is bleed-
ing  the sublingual vein.   Not only in acute ,
laryngitis, but more  especially in putrid sore
throat, have we seen instantaneous relief from
this operation.
   The operation is thus performed:  Place the
patient in a chair in a reclining posture, seize
the  tip of his tongue by the medium of a towel,
strike the vein with a spring lancet, and the 
LARYNGITIS.
235
operation is over.   Now, on account of the
muscular contractibility of the tongue, it will
not bleed, unless we use warm water, which
must  therefore be sipped and  spat out, and
with  it the blood will flow freely for any
length of time you please.   The temperature
of the water had better be about 112°.  If you
desire  to stop it, you  have  but  to substitute
cold water instead of warm.  If one bleeding
does not  suffice,  the opposite vein can  be
treated in  like manner.   Now it will strike
every man of common sense at once, that this
operation  possesses vast advantage over that
by leeches, cupping, or general blood-letting.
It immediately relieves  the congested vessels
in contact with the inflamed part, and enables
the salivary and other glands to perform their
functions.   It can be performed at all times,
and in every place, and by every one who can
recognize the  vein.  No time need be lost in
town or country, for  the  moment the alarm
arises  it can  be resorted to.  In putrid sore
throat, we will pledge  our lives, that if per-
formed early, and  followed by  an emetic
and brisk purgative, and  an antiseptic  gar-
gle, say 12 grains chlorate of  soda to a half- 
236   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

pint of water, the life of the patient will be
secure.
  The only difficulty in performing the opera-
tion  is with infants.   With children of four
years old we have succeeded, as follows:  We
apply a powerful mustard plaster to the throat,
and when  it stings  severely, we make a bar-
gain with  the child to take it off, provided he
will put  out his tongue and permit us to per-
form  the operation—he promises, and we re-
move the plaster, with the understanding that
if he breaks his  promise we again put it on.
We  soothe the irritated surface by  cooling
applications, gain the child's confidence, and
he thrusts  out his little tongue without hesi-
tation.   In order to gargle in such a case, we
use an ivory pipe terminating in  a perforated
bulb, fitted to a pint syringe, and placing the
child on the knee of its nurse, with the head
inclining  forward,  we inject the gargle, and
completely cleanse the mouth and fauces of
the  child.  And this we repeat  according tp
the  urgency  of  the  case.   We also repeat
emetics  of ipecac once in six hours, until the
 danger is  over.
   Sometimes, in chronic laryngitis, the acute 
LARYNGITIS.           237
form supervenes, and then this operation is
available.^  In inflammation of  the tongue it-
self, of the tonsils, or epiglottis, it may be used
with advantage, and we would practise it also
in the early stage of croup, for the very obvi-
ous purpose of restoring the normal secretion
of the glands and mucous membrane.
   Chronic laryngitis may range from simple
inflammation  to  ulceration  of the  mucous
membrane,  cartilages,  and vocal  ligaments,
and even to the destruction of these parts.  It
sometimes  attends tubercular disease of the
lungs,  and sometimes the  larynx itself is the
original seat of deposition of tubercles.  The
prognosis is of course dependent on the mild-
ness or intensity of the disease, and  on the
constitutional   ability to  resist  its  progress.
The Red  Sulphur  water will be found a
powerful auxiliary in this disease.   We have
witnessed  many most interesting recoveries
by the use  of this water, in  apparently very
bad cases.   It seems, from the following  in-
teresting extract from MM. Trosseau & Bel-
loc, the distinguished authors of a prize essay
on Laryngeal Phthisis, &c, before the Royal
Academy of France, that the waters of Bonnes 
238   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

and Cauterets, in the Pyrenees, are also cele-
brated for the cure of this disease.,
  " Sulphur; Sulphurous- Mineral  Waters.
—Many physicians,  chiefly those who have
embraced the opinions  of the new French
school,  consider as almost fabulous the cases
of cure  reported by Borden and many others,
effected by the waters of Bonnes and Cauterets.
But they who have  studied the effects of the
Pyrenean waters upon  the  spot, they who
have  often sent to them their patients evident-
ly attacked with pulmonary tubercles, will ac-
knowledge  the admirable cures which have
Deen annually effected by this powerful means.
Therefore we should never neglect the use of
Sulphurous Mineral Waters, whether natural
or artificial, in the treatment of various forms
of  laryngeal phthisis.   Although secondary,
they  may, unaided, effect a cure in the early
stages of the disease. We select the following
case from a host of others.
   " Mr. D., captain of artillery, thirty-four
years old, was  born of  tuberculous parents.
His voice is rather grave, and not very strong,
except  in the high notes.  He attended balls
and  soirees, and was  much  in the world for 
LARYNGITIS.
239
three months, when he perceived that his voice
was hoarse, and complete aphonia soon fol-
lowed.  There was no expectoration or pain
in the larynx, and the  general  health con-
tinued excellent, only he was greatly fatigued
by the severe efforts that were  necessary .to
make  himself understood.  There was nothing
to induce a suspicion of disease in his lungs, he
had never had haemoptysis, catarrh, or angina.
He used as a gargle, one ounce of alum to a
pound of water, for a fortnight, without amend-
ment.  Milk diet was then  prescribed, with
some  advantage ; to this was added one bottle
of Bonnes  waters ^>er day.  This soon effected
an improvement, and a complete cure at the
end of two months."
  We see  from the foregoing extract, that
scepticism is not confined to the physicians
of this country: it is, indeed, the natural re-
sult of medical research and experience, for
no man can appreciate the difficulties of a
science so well as  he who has  encountered
them.  But while,  on the one hand, the phy-
sician should be slow to believe, on the other,
he should not lapse into absolute incredulity.
To  him may be applied  with  propriety the 
240   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

general  maxim so elegantly expressed by the
Latin poet:
  Est modus in rebus ; sunt certi denique fines,
  Quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum.
  We have ourselves lived long enough to
have observed that valuable hints  may be
gathered  from the very haunts of ignorance.
Utility is  not only the mother of justice and
equity, but also, and more especially, of inven-
tion.  We doubt not many " old women" in
the  interior of our country have cured dis-
eases by  some simple infusion  or decoction,
that would  have resisted  all  the science of
Broussais. Had man contirfued to live  in his
original simplicity, the trade of the druggist
would not be so profitable  as it is at this time.
We firmly believe that the Almighty has sent
no disease to afflict his creatures, for the cure
of which he has not appointed some remedy,
subject, however, to that immutable law which
has allotted to  man a certain amount of vital
power which he cannot exceed, but which he
may be deprived of by some disturbing force
from without,  or by the   misapplication  of
agents intended as remedial.
    Bronchitis.—Acute  bronchitis,  {Herbert 
BRONCHITIS.
241
Mayo,) inflammation  (ordinarily following
cold in the head) of the lining membrane of
the trachea and bronchi, which become red
and slightly thickened, sometimes softer than
natural, attended with  a sense of dryness or
roughness behind the sternum, and extending
into one or both lungs; cough at first dry, soon
accompanied by a serous expectoration, which
is saltish, and slightly glutinous, but not dis-
tinguishable from the saliva with which it is
intermixed.  As the disease advances, the ex-
pectoration becomes thicker and more yellow,
and is  mingled with particles of an opaque
whitish colour; by degrees the whole becomes
opaque, of a pale  yellow or slightly greenish
hue, viscid, inclosing air-bubbles, tasteless or
somewhat saltish, and occasionally  marked
with dots or small specks of blood.   When
the sputse are very large, they frequently leave
after expectoration a dull  pain about the root
of the  bronchi, indicating the place whence
they have been detached.  The cough occurs
in fits, on waking, after a meal, and on lying
down to rest.
   Chronic Bronchitis.—The expectoration
sometimes precisely similar to that of the lat-
             21 
242   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

ter stage of the acute, but most commonly less
glutinous, more opaque, and nearly puriform.
Occasionally it is of a dirty-grayish or green-
ish hue, from an admixture of the black pul-
monary matter.  It is usually inodorous ; but
sometimes becomes more or less fetid, and as-
sumes the smell as  well as the other physical
qualities of the different kinds of pus.  This
disease  frequently  follows acute  bronchitis,
and  is  liable to persist, with  remission, for
years.
   During the  remission, the  appetite  and
strength return; but the  patient commonly
loses a little flesh, and  remains  paler than
usual.  During repose there is no oppression
on the chest, but exercise soon brings on dysp-
noea.  The complaint remits in the summer,
and  returns in the winter, frequently attended
with fever.   In some rare cases, hectic fever
comes on, with rapid emaciation, and the dis-
ease  terminates fatally, with  all  the usual
symptoms of phthisis pulmonalis.  In  fact,
the most perfect similarity exists between the
two  diseases as far  as regards the expectora-
tion, the emaciation, and all the other general
symptoms. 
BRONCHITIS.
243
  Such are the characteristics of a disease
which is becoming every year more prevalent
in our variable climate, and which has assum-
ed vast importance, not only on account of
its frequency, but also on account of the evils
which a continued impediment to respiration
may cause, by  producing congestion of the
lungs and  heart, and organic  disease of the
latter.   This disease, when not  the accom-
paniment of pulmonary phthisis, is  usually
manageable by  proper treatment, and early
removal to a mild climate.  The waters of
the Red Sulphur seldom fail to relieve it, by
removing the irritated condition of the mem-
brane, and  restoring a healthy secretion, and
by imparting tone to the constitution.  When
this disease is attended with suffocative  secre-
tions, producing periodically great distress of
respiration, much benefit will be derived, ac-
cording to our own experience, in occasional
emetics of ipecac.
  Having  directed no  supper to  be  taken,
cause the patient to drink from  half  a pint
to a pint of warm water, then  give 15 to 20
grains of ipecac.  At  bed-time give  a tum-
bler  or two of  Sulphur water.   This treat- 
244   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

ment, in  many cases, may be repeated every
48 hours with advantage.   We have found
emetics used in this manner also valuable in
many cases of tubercular disease of the lungs.
Nothing  prostrates  the bodily powers more
rapidly than the constant  attempt to expec-
torate, and indeed the hectic fever and sweats
are greatly aggravated  by this cause.
  Our advice  to a person afflicted with bron-
chitis would be to visit the Red Sulphur about
the 15th of  June, and use the water until to-
wards the close of the Indian Summer, (say
1st to 15th November,) and travelling thence
southwards, on  horseback  if possible, spend
the winter and spring in Cuba.
  Most invalids from the northern States re-
turn  too soon,  and proceed directly home.
Now this is wrong ; they should land at the
southern extremity of the Union, and advance
homeward according to the natural progress
of the season.   It is  evident  that a sudden
transition from the climate of Cuba to that of
Massachusetts is imprudent, and if made be-
fore the summer fairly sets  in, may be hazard-
ous  ; whereas there would  be little danger in
arriving in  New-Orleans in April, and thence 
BRONCHITIS.
245
travelling northward, so as to find somewhat
of the same temperature in one's progress.
  Chronic Pleurisy and Pneumonia.—We
designed to say something on these and other
affections of the organs of respiration, but we
find we have already exceeded our limits, and
we do not know that it would be attended with
any practical good.  Suffice it to say, that the
Red Sulphur water is a highly important agent
in these diseases, and that, by improving the
general  health, it increases the power of the
absorbents in removing the effusions. 
CHAPTER XVIII.
  Hypertrophy of the Heart.—The heart, ■
{H Mayo,) comprising the auricles, ought to
have a size either equal to, or a little  less, or
but a little larger, than the fist of the subject.
  A straight line drawn  across  the  breast
bone uniting the lower edges of the cartilages
of the third  ribs at their sternal insertions,
passes  before the  valves  of the pulmonary
artery a little to the left of the  mesial line.
The valves of  the aorta are situated directly
behind the pulmonary veins.  From this point
the aorta and  pulmonary artery ascend, the
former inclining forwards and to the right, so
as upon emerging from behind the pulmonary
artery to  come in contact with the sternum,
and to the right of the mesial line, the latter,
which is from the first in contact with  the
sternum,  inclining more  considerably to  the
left till it arrives at the margin  of the inter-
space between the insertion of the second and
third ribs. 
         HYPERTROPHY OF THE HEART.   247

     A vertical line coinciding with the left mar-
  gin of the sternum, has about one third of the
  heart, consisting of the  basial portion of the
  right auricle, and the whole of the left, on its
  left.   The left auricle  is situated deep behind,
  and to the left of the heart at its  upper part,
  opposite to the interval between the cartilages
  of the third and fourth ribs.  The apex of the
  heart beats against the cartilage of the fifth
  rib, or against the interval  between the fifth
  and sixth.
    The heart rests on the tendinous centre of
  the diaphragm, which, is stretched  horizontal-
  ly to form the floor of the chest, at or little
  below the  level of the lowest part  of the fifth
  rib.  The  lungs descend along the margin of
  the sternum, about two inches apart, and over-
  lap the base of the heart slightly on the right
  side, and more extensively on the  left; then
* receding from each other, they leave a con-
  siderable portion of the right ventricle, and a
  less extent of the lower part of the left, in im-
  mediate contact with the  sternum and fourth
  and fifth costal cartilages.
    From  the above  account of the  structure
  and position  of  the heart,  as well  as  from 
248   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

our remarks on indigestion in a former chap-
ter, it will be readily seen what a vast influ-
ence is exerted over that organ by the stomach
and  lungs, both by the quality of  the blood,
as produced by a healthy or vitiated chyle,
or by a perfect or imperfect oxygenation de-
pendent on the function of respiration.
  And, moreover, we think the reader can be
at no loss to  comprehend the modus oper-
andi of  the Red  Sulphur in restoring the
functions of this organ to a normal condi-
tion.  The most conclusive evidence  of its
power«in disease of the  heart, maybe adduced
in several cases, in which  the action of the
arteries  and heart has been reduced in fre-
quency from 30 to 40 pulsations in a minute.
Is there  any other agent  known to science
that will  do this 7 We humbly conceive there
is not; and therefore we venture to  promise
patients  affected with  functional  disease of*
the heart, the best results from a judicious use
of this water.
   The  Kidneys and Bladder.—We  shall
touch upon the diseases of these organs, from
which relief may be expected at the Mineral
Waters of Virginia.  All the Sulphur waters 
          KIDNEYS AND BLADDER.      249

claim to be beneficial in gravel, and we think
they are so in a greater or less degree.
   That  form of disease in which they are
most  useful is  lithic-acid  gravel.   " Sand
{Civiale) is understood  to be a powdery de-
posit, which takes sometimes the form  of a
very fine powder, and sometimes, or more fre-
quently, of grains, caused by the agglomera-
tion of little crystals, which are easily distin-
guished with the lens, or that are sometimes
perceptible to the naked eye.   This deposit is
most frequently of a bright red colour, though,
in certain  cases,  it resembles that of brick-
dust, or is gray, ash-coloured, black, or dusky."
  " Gravel (says Dr. Christison) may be de-
fined the discharge of pulverulent or gritty
matter with the#urine, occasioning symptoms
of irritation in the kidneys and urethra."
  The most frequent cause of gravel  is indi-
gestion, especially that species of it attended
by acidity.  When the fluid, overcharged with
acid, is presented to the kidneys, it is secreted
in excess ;  the lithate of ammonia is  decom-
posed, and the acid precipitated.  Another and
very extensive cause of gravel is hard water.
Of this fact we can speak  experimentally. 
250   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

When riding through the mountainous region
west of the Alleghany, and using the water
in most districts of that region, we never have
escaped with impunity, and we have uniform-
ly suffered from using the strong limestone'
water of a village in  our country.  It is on
this account that in this form of the disease,
(lithic-acid gravel,)  we  should be doubtful
whether the water of the Sweet Springs may
be used with safety, abounding as it does with
calcareous matter.  The White Sulphur, Blue
Sulphur, and Salt Sulphur, would be  more
likely to suit the invalid, more  especially the
last, as it is certainly more anti-acid than the
others ;  but they have all to contend with the
hard, harsh quality imparted by the sulphate
of lime, and therefore, if there  should  be an
irritated condition of the kidneys, which is
almost certain to be the case in  a greater or
less degree, the use of the Red Sulphur alter-
nately with the Spout bath at the Hot Springs
will  be found  the most efficient treatment.
We have already intimated that a little  bi-
carbonate of soda may be used with advan-
tage, in connexion with  the Sulphur waters.
Candour requires us, however, to confess, that 
UTERUS.             251
 relief from this complaint must necessarily be
 temporary, from any remedy but a strict regi-
 men, and abstinence from whatever may have
 produced the predisposition.  Irritation of the
 bladder, when produced only by functional
 disturbance, or an excitable nervous tempera*
 ment, will be relieved  by the  waters of the
 Red Sulphur.
   Uterus.—In a work  which is intended for
 the eye of the general  reader, it will  only
 be necessary to touch lightly on the diseases
 of this organ.  Those which may be consider-
 ed under the remedial power of mineral waters
 are Amenorrhoea, or obstructed menstruation,
 Dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, and
 Menorrhagia, or excessive menstruation.
  Amenorrhoea is of two kinds ; one depend-
 ent on constitutional  debility, and the other
 attended by the appearance of good health.
  In the former,  according to Drs. Ferguson
 and  Simpson, the symptoms are languid cir-
 culation, muscular debility, torpor, or inequali-
 ties of the nervous function, defective nutri-
 tion.   When allowed to proceed uninterrupt-
edly, amenorrhoea terminates in chlorosis. In
this condition of  the  system, that  mineral 
252   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

water will be  the  most  useful which will
arouse its torpid energies.  Presupposing there
is no organic lesion, such as a tuberculous
condition of the lungs, the bath at the Sweet
Springs will be found the greatest remedy in
this disease ; but if it be complicated with dis-
eased lungs  or bronchi,  then the invalid's
hope is the Red Sulphur.  In the form accom-
panied by plethora, Dr. Goode's Spout-bath,
under his advice, is the appropriate remedy.
   Dysmenorrhosa.—In this form of disease,
we recommend Dr. Goode's  Spout-bath, as
the best  remedy known to us.  In all cases,
this remedy must be used under advice.  The
Red  Sulphur, as  a sedative, may with great
advantage be alternated with the Hot Springs.
   Menorrhagia.—It ,is clear that no agent
that excites the system is admissible  in this
disease.   Females labouring under this form
of uterine affection, will therefore find the Red
Sulphur  alone appropriate, connected with a
mild unexciting regimen.  We venture to say,
that if the distinctions we have pointed out be
observed, most of the cases of diseased uterine
function  attending the Virginia Springs will
obtain  relief,  and that  many a  charming 
DISEASES OF THE LIVER.      253
woman,  whose  hopes  of fruitfulness have
been blighted, will present her lord, not  her
master, with a new and improved edition of
him or herself.   We have seen some striking
instances of  this kind  at  the  Red Sulphur
within a few years.
  Diseases  of the  Liver.—This important
organ is the seat of numerous deviations from
a healthy condition, and seems especially to
suffer from  high atmospheric temperature.
Accordingly we find that in the southern lati-
tudes, and in locations subject  to noxious ex-
halations,  that class  of diseases usually  de-
nominated bilious, is most frequent.  The
forms of disease of this organ, with which we
have to  do, are its functional aberrations, and
chronic hepatitis.
  The secretions of bile may be redundant or
defective, or they may be  acrid, or deficient
in stimulative properties.   These conditions
are dependent, in all probability, on the quan-
tity and quality  of  the  blood  presented for
secretion, and that is affected by the digestion
and chylification, and finally by  the poison-
ous effluvia  of a corrupted atmosphere.
  In no disease  may  more be expected from
              22 
254   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

change of climate and habits of life than in
diseased functions of the liver, and in no re-
gion of the United  States is there a summer
climate more  favourable than the transmon-
tane division of Virginia.  Independent, then,
of all mineral  waters, much may be expected
from visiting  this region ;  but when  the
agency of the greatest  variety of Mineral
Springs in the world may be obtained in con-
nexion  with  climate, our  southern friends
have inducements to visit us, which  are not
presented by any other region of the Union.
   Now, to say that any one of the  Sulphur
Springs is a specific, in  all varieties  of func-
tional diseases of the liver, is to  display great
ignorance of the action of those  agents.  We
would desire to impress upon  the reader that
it is not a purgative effect that is desirable  in
those cases.   If it were, those waters that act
most freely on the bowels would be  the most
prompt to relieve this disease, and  Saratoga
water would  claim preference over all other
waters in the United States, in  those condi-
tions of the system ; but such is not the case.
We want an agent that will, in the first place,
modify the original causes of the hepatic affec- 
         DISEASES OF THE LIVER.     255

tion, and produce thereon an alterative effect;
and this agent, we have already demonstrated,
is  sulphuretted hydrogen, combined  with
warm  bathing.  We  agree with Dr. Goode,
that  there are cases of hepatic  functional dis-
ease  that may be, and are relieved by the Hot
Springs alone ; but we are  also certain that
the surest plan is to visit first a Sulphur water,
using at the same time the artificial bath, and
to  spend the latter portion of the season at the
Hot  Springs, or, which in our view is better,
to alternate these remedies through the season.
  We repeat here, what  we have already in-
timated in treating of the  White Sulphur, that
minute portions of blue mass should be used
in  connexion with the Sulphur waters and
warm bathing in hepatic  diseases.  It may be
used with great safety, as the sulphuretted hy-
drogen prevents any permanent constitutional
effect, and  it will be  found a most valuable
auxiliary.
   From what we have said on this subject, it
will  be seen that we claim for all the  Sulphur
waters decided power over functional disease
of the liver. It is difficult to say which is en-
titled to a preference.  Idiosyncracy has some- 
256   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

thing to do with it; but there is evidently no
important difference in their action  on this
organ.  In setting forth the claim of the Red
Sulphur for equality with the  others, we only
do that which experience justifies, and in the
second form, at the head of this article, (Chro-
nic Hepatitis,) it is the only water which will
fulfil the indications required.
  We will notice in this place Chronic Di-
arrhoea, connected with functional disease of
the liver, which will close our remarks on the
internal organs. This disease is extensive in
our country, on account of the variability of
the  climate, which  acts  unfavourably on a
system previously disposed to it.  The  most
common forms of diarrhoea are bilious diar-
rhoea and mucous diarrhoea.  The former is
more generally, in warm climates, consequent
on hepatic disease ; the latter may either be
symptomatic of inflammation of the intestines,
or may be idiopathic, arising from congestion
or irritation  of the mucous membrane.  When
this affection becomes chronic, it is frequently
difficult to  manage, and  requires great  care
and judgment.  Drastic remedies of every kind
do mischief, and we should find a mild altera- 
           CHRONIC DIARRHCEA.       257

tive, which, combining with change of air, free
exercise, prudent diet, and the warm bath,
give the greatest chance of relieving the dis-
ease.  There can be no doubt of the value of
the warm  bath in this disease, as  proven  in
our article on the Hot Springs.
  We have never seen a case that was not re-
lieved at the Red Sulphur.   The White suc-
ceeds  in some cases, when it is produced by
congestion of  the membrane ;  but in many
cases it is of too stimulating a nature.  Alter-
nating the Red Sulphur and Hot Springs will
be the surest  plan.  There are cases of this
disease in  which the Sweet Spring bath also
acts with very decided and admirable effects.
22* 
CHAPTER XIX.
         SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.

  We should have  taken  great pleasure in
presenting our views on the Mineral Waters
of the Salt Sulphur, but we deem that it would
be presumptive in us to treat of a subject that
has been pre-occupied by a very distinguished
physician and surgeon  of  Philadelphia, Dr.
Thomas D. Mutter.  We feel that it is more
consistent with a due  sense of that gentleman's
superiority, as we are sure it will be more
agreeable to the proprietors, and profitable to
the  public, that we should  substitute his ob-
servations for our own, and therefore subjoin
so much of his pamphlet as  has immediate re-
ference to this watering-place.
  We would do violence to our own feelings,
however, were we to pass over unnoticed the
claims of the amiable proprietors, Messrs. Ers-
kine and Caruthers, upon the  public, for the
sumptuous provision they  make  for the ac-
commodation and comfort of their guests, and
the  uniform kindness that marks all their in- 
          SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.      259

tercourse with them.  Mr. Erskine attends in
person to the location  of visiters, and gives
universal satisfaction.  He is always kind, al-
ways amiable, always agreeable, never obtru-
sive.  All the arrangements of this establish-
ment deserve commendation, and we sincerely
hope its success will realize the just expecta-
tion of those worthy gentlemen.
   " The Salt Sulphur Springs*  three in
number, are situated in the county of Monroe,
in 37^° north latitude, and 5° longitude west
of Philadelphia, and at  an elevation of about
1400 feet above tide-water.   All the Springs
are situated on • Indian  Creek,' a  small lime-
stone stream which rises in a valley a  few
hundred yards above the Old or Sweet Spring,
and pursuing its l devious way' for about 23
miles in a south-west direction, finally empties
into New River, in Monroe county.  It derives
its name from the  circumstance of the Indians,
who in former times were in the habit of en-
tering the valley of Virginia  from Kentucky
and Ohio, almost invariably making it their
' camping stream? Their graves, along with
other traces of their frequent resort to this par-

  * The Salt Sulphur Springs, Monroe county, Va.
Thomas D. Mutter, M.D. 
260   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

ticular spot, are occasionally met with at the
present day.
  " The Salt Sulphur is hemmed in on every
side  by mountains.  To  the south  and east,
in full view,  and about ten miles  distant, is
Peter's Mountain ;  due north, and about four-
teen miles distant, is a low spur of the Alle-
ghany;  and  west  it is bounded by Swope's
Mountain, at  or near the base of  which are
the two principal Springs.
  " It appears from the statement of some of
the 'oldest inhabitants,' that the Oldov Sweet
Spring was discovered in 1802  or 1803, by
Alexander Hutchison, Esq., who was engaged
in boring for salt  along  Indian Creek.  For
several years it enjoyed much celebrity, and
was  annually the resort of a large company.
The house occupied as the hotel, and several
of the old cabins, are still  standing.   The
opening  of the Salt Sidphur Spring, the
medical properties of which are so much more
strongly marked, and the erection of commo-
dious buildings near it,  soon  destroyed the
fame of the Sweet, the water of which  is at
the present time used almost exclusively for
the baths, although there are some individuals
who still prefer it to that of either the Salt or 
          SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.     261

New Spring.   To  gratify  such, and at  the
same time to test the value of the  water, the
enterprising proprietors,  in the summer of
1839, caused the Spring to be deepened and
thoroughly repaired. At present, it is enclosed
in a white  marble reservoir, two feet square
by two feet four inches in depth, over which
is erected a neat wooden edifice, of an order
{  sui generis?   In  taste, smell, colour, and
constituents, it strongly resembles the  Salt
Spring, but it is much more feeble  as a reme-
dial agent, which is to be attributed  to its con-
taining a smaller quantity of the active prin-
ciples common to both.
  " The second Spring, or the Salt Sulphur
proper, was discovered in  1805,  by Erwin
Benson, Esq.  He was induced to believe that
either sulphur water or salt  might be found in
considerable quantities at the spot now occu-
pied by the Spring, from the fact of its being
the favourite < Lick' of immense herds of buf-
falo and deer. Under this impression he began
boring, and had penetrated but a short distance
below the surface, when he struck the vein of
Sulphur water now constituting the Spring.
Like the Old, this Spring is enclosed in a mar-
ble reservoir, two feet square, and about two 
262   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

feet ten inches deep, but from the boldness of its
sources, it is probable that this Spring will be
enlarged. It is protected from the influence of
the weather by a neat and appropriate edifice,
furnished with seats.  The water possesses all
the sensible properties of the Sulphur waters
in general.  Its odor, for instance, is very like
that of a ' tolerable egg,1 and may, in certain
states of the atmosphere, be perceived at some
distance  from  the Spring;  and in taste it is
cousin-german to a strong solution of Epsom
salts and magnesia.  In a short time, however,
strange to  say, these disagreeable  properties
are either  not observed, or become on  the
other hand attractive;  indeed, there is hardly
an  instance of an  individual's retaining  his
original repugnance to them longer than three
or four days, and some there are who become
so excessively fond of the water,  as to give it
the preference over any other liquid.  Like
most of the Sulphurous, this water is perfectly
transparent, and deposits a whitish sediment,
composed of  its various saline  ingredients,
mingled with  sulphur.  It is also for the most
part placid ;  occasionally, however, it is dis-
turbed by a bubble of gas, which steals slowly
to the surface,  where it either explodes with 
          SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.      263

a timid and  dimpling smack, or is eagerly
caught up by some care-worn  and  almost
world-weary  invalid, as a gem from the trea-
sury of Hygeia!
  " The  following analysis of this Spring is
furnished by Professor Rogers, of the Univer-
sity of Virginia:
  " ' Solid ingredients.—Sulphate  of lime ;
sulphate  of magnesia ; sulphate of soda ; car-
bonate of lime ; carbonate of magnesia ; chlo-
ride  of sodium ;  chloride  of  magnesium ;
chloride  of calcium;  iodine, probably com-
bined with sodium; sulpho-hydrate of sodium
and  magnesium;  sulphur,  mingled with a
peculiar organic matter ;  peroxide of iron, de-
rived from proto-sulphate.
  " ' Gaseous ingredients.—Sulphuretted hy-
drogen ;  nitrogen ;  oxygen ; carbonic acid.
  " < The bubbles of gas that are seen adher-
ing to the sides of the  Spring, are  composed
almost entirely of nitrogen.'
  " The precise proportions of the solid in-
gredients will shortly appear in the ' Report
on the Geology of Virginia,' which  Professor
Rogers is at the present moment preparing for
the press, and for the appearance of which the
medical  profession  has  been for some time 
264   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

anxiously waiting.  The temperature of this
water is 50° Fahr.
  " The third, or New Spring, was discovered
in 1838 by the proprietors, while engaged in
cutting a drain for the water of the ' Salt,' and
was immediately  deepened, and furnished
with  a marble reservoir, similar to  those of
the other  Springs, over which a frame build-
ing has  been erected.   Its water is not  as
limpid as  that of the other Springs, in conse-
quence of the excessive deposit of sulphur, in
combination with some organic element which
floats as a pellicle on the surface of the Spring.
Frequently when the heat of the sun is intense,
a beautiful pink deposit, resembling in appear-
ance  that met with in the ' Red  Sulphur,' is
discovered upon the sides and bottom of the
reservoir. In taste and smell, it resembles very
much the water of the other Springs, but, from
being ten degrees warmer, is to some persons
less palatable.  It contains but a small portion
of free gas, and hence presents a sluggish, and
when covered by the pellicle alluded to, rather
a disagreeable aspect.   In chemical  composi-
tion it resembles the Salt, as the  following ex-
tract from a letter of Professor Rogers will
show:  < I enclose you  a list of the ingredients 
          SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.     265

in the Salt  Sulphur water, which applies to
the New as well as the Old Spring, the former
having rather a smaller amount of saline mat-
ter in general, though  in  some  ingredients
surpassing the other.  It has been very minute-
ly analyzed, and is the first of all the waters
in which I was able to detect traces of iodine,
which it contains in  larger amount than the
Old Spring, and indeed most of the other wa-
ters in which I have been so fortunate as to
discover this material.' Its temperature ranges
from 62° to 68° Fahr.
   " Comparing the water of the Salt Sulphur
with the Sulphur waters of Europe, we shall
find that it corresponds most nearly with those
of Harrowgate  and  Dinsdale  Springs   in
Eno-land.  In this country there are several
Springs, the waters  of which resemble it  in
many respects.  The White Sulphur, (Green-
brier  county, Va.,) the Big Bone, (Ky.,) and
the Olympian, (Ky.,) are of this class.
   " The New Spring,  although it resembles
in most respects the Salt, contains, according
to the analysis of Professor Rogers, a much
larger proportion of iodine.  The presence of
this ingredient will  render this water, in all
             23 
266   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

probability,  highly useful in many cases in
which the other would prove either a feeble
agent, or produce no effect whatever;  scrofu-
la, some diseases of the skin, goitre, and the
affections  for which iodine is generally given,
are among them.  Having had but little ex-
perience in  the  use of this Spring, from the
fact that it had but recently been opened when
I visited the place, I will not hazard a posi-
tive opinion relative to its therapeutic virtues.
I have little doubt, however, that it will speedi-
ly become a favourite, as well as eminently
useful water.
  " The Old Spring contains most of the in-
gredients  of the other two, but  in smaller
quantity,  and hence may be useful in cases in
which the latter  operates too powerfully.  My
experience with  this water being also limited,
I must forbear, until a future occasion, saying
much about its powers as  a remedial agent.
  " In the exhibition of these waters, the rules
laid down as applicable to the administration
of all others may  be  adhered  to.  When  it
becomes  necessary to change  the  water, or
alternate it with  another, I would recommend,
from  its great similarity, that  of the  White
Sulphur." 
CHAPTER XX.
DISEASES TO WHICH THE SALT SULPHUR IS
               APPLICABLE.*

   The  Salt Sulphur, like  almost all  the
Sulphurous waters, being a stimulant, should
consequently not be employed in  acute  or
highly inflammatory affections ; nor in those
in which there exists much active determina-
tion of blood to the head, or at least not until
this determination has been guarded against
by previous diet, purgation, and if necessary,
blood-letting.   But in all chronic affections
of the brain, nervous system, some diseases
of the  lungs, stomach, bowels, liver, spleen,
kidneys, and bladder, it is one of  the most
valuable of our remedial agents.   In diseases
of the joints (gout and rheumatism) and skin ;
in mercurial sequelai ; in hemorrhoidal affec-
tions ;  and in chronic diseases of the womb,
it is also a remedy of immense importance.
  1. Of Chronic Disease of the Brain!—
In no class of diseases, probably, is  there re-
* Dr. Thomas D. Mutter. 
268   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

quired more caution  in  the  exhibition of a
mineral water,  and especially of one which,
under  ordinary  circumstances,  excites  the
system at large.   Many persons on this ac-
count have prohibited its use ; but experience,
the only sure guide, has shown that many a
case of chronic  headache,  incipient mania,
and local palsy, dependent upon congestion or
chronic inflammation of  the brain, will yield
to the steady use of a cathartic mineral water,
when almost  every other agent has failed.
For such cases the Salt Sulphur seems pecu-
liarly adapted ; but it must be used with cau-
tion, and assisted, if necessary, by local deple-
tion, counter-irritation, and diet.
   2.  Neuralgia—It is  well  known to the
profession, that neuralgic affections are often
dependent upon a deranged condition of the
chylopoietic viscera.  The habitually costive,
or those who have suffered from repeated at-
tacks of miasmatic diseases, and the dyspep-
tic, are generally most  liable to attacks of
neuralgia.   In  such cases, I have known the
Salt Sulphur prove highly beneficial.
   3. Nervous Diseases.—The various affec-
tions termed nervous, such as hypochondria,
hysteria, catalepsy, chorea, &c, are also fre- 
          SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.      269

 quently dependent upon disorder of the diges-
 tive apparatus, and resist all our remedies for
 months or years.   In such cases a trip to a
 Mineral  Spring is generally recommended,
 not so much for the  waters,  probably, as for
 the  change of air, scene, mode of life,  &c,
 which it entails.  Making all due allowances
 for the beneficial  action  of  the last-named
 agents, I am confident that the steady cathar-
 tic action of the water is  of  infinite  benefit.
 Two cases of chorea, and  one of  hysteria, [
 saw completely relieved in the course of six
 weeks, by the use of  the Salt Sulphur water.
   4.  Chronic Diseases of Chest.—Diseases
 of the thoracic viscera  are unfortunately too
 common in our country, and hence we  find
 crowds of their unfortunate victims at nearly
 every watering-place, seeking, and too often
 but vainly, some relief from their distressing
 condition.  In some cases, those, for example,
 in which the irritation is dependent upon the
 retrocession of some  habitual discharge,  and
 those, too, in which the skin  is dry and cool,
 and the indication is to produce a revulsion to
the surface  by directing the  fluids from  the
centre to the circumference,  which will  also
             23* 
270    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

facilitate expectoration, the cautious adminis-
tration of the Salt Sulphur water will be use-
ful.   In those cases, also, in which the cough
is sympathetic or dependent upon some lesion
of the chylopoietic viscera, it maybe employed.
But in every instance where it can be traced
to an organic affection of the heart or large
blood vessels, and if there be fever, emacia-
tion, tubercles with cavities in the lung, has-
moptysis, or diarrhoea, the death of the patient
will  be  hastened by  the employment of a
stimulant so active as the Salt Sulphur.  For
pulmonary cases,* the Salt Sulphur offers the
advantage of an agreeable temperature, and
a dryness of atmosphere not possessed  by
the other Springs in  the  mountains of Vir-
ginia.   During the season, which continues
from the 1st of June to the middle of Septem-
ber,  the thermometer ranges  from 70° to 85°
Fahrenheit, and there is little or no fog in the
morning.
  5.  Disease of the  Heart.—The following
certificate is published by Mr.  H. McF., of

  * There appears to be some inconsistency here with the
foregoing paragraph, unless the Doctor means that the
patient shall abstain from the use of the water; the alleged
superiority of climate is altogether imaginary. 
SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.      271
Williamsburg district, South Carolina.  I can-
not suppose, however, that the affection of the
heart was orgatiic ; it must have been one of
those cases offunctional disturbance depend-
ent upon disorder of the digestive apparatus :
                          " September 4th, 1838.
   " Mr. Erskine :—Having been a sufferer for more than
three years, from organic disease of the  heart, connected
with bronchitis, pronounced so by eminent physicians of S.
Carolina, I had the good fortune to visit your Spring, and
using the water freely for nearly two weeks, with a decided.
ly good effect upon my obstinate disease,  I feel it a duty I
owe to the public, and to other sufferers like myself, to say,
that I find it to possess none of the irritating quality that
some persons suppose.  So highly have I been pleased with
the medicinal qualities of the water of your  Spring, that I
beg you will send me a barrel of it containing 30 or 35 gal-
lons.                                H. .McF."
  6.  Chronic Diseases  of the Abdominal
 Viscera.—In  making an estimate of the cases
of disease one meets with at a watering-place,
it will  not, I  think, be going too far to say,
that two-thirds at least are referable to some
affection of the abdominal viscera.  Hepatitis,
jaundice, splenitis, gastritis, gastralgia,  pyro-
sis, dyspepsia,  enteritis,  diarrhoea,  &c, are
encountered at every  turn.
  In hepatic affections, or those  commonly
called bilious, the Salt Sulphur water is, with-
out doubt,  one of the most powerful and effi- 
272   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

cient remedies we possess.   When taken in a
proper manner, its sanative influence is speedi-
ly manifested  by a change in the biliary se-
cretion.   Constipation,  the usual  attendant
upon  such cases, is relieved, the sallowness of
the skin disappears, and in the course of a few
weeks a complete and radical cure  is often
accomplished.
   Chronic Splenitis.—One of the most com-
mon,  and at the same time one  of the most
obstinate, of the sequelae of the fevers of the
south, I  have known  frequently relieved by
the use of this water, as well as by that of the
White Sulphur.
  Chronic Gastric Irritation, it is well known,
is often relieved by the administration of an
agent calculated to set up a new action in the
mucous  coat, and those  cases  of  dyspepsia
which depend upon such a condition  of the
stomach, are  often relieved by the use of  a
Sulphur water.  A number of such are annu-
ally met with at the Salt Sulphur, many of
which leave the Spring perfectly cured.
   Gastralgia, or Nervous Dyspepsia, is also
occasionally met with, and may depend upon
a variety of causes. When it is purely a func-
tional  disease,  unaccompanied by organic 
SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.     273
lesion, a Sulphur water, along with Sulphur
baths, wtill sometimes  produce a very happy
effect.
  Pyrosis, or Water-brash, is another disease
in which  the  Salt  Sulphur proves pre-emi-
nently useful.  I have  known cases in which
a pint or more of a secretion so acid as to set
the  teeth on edge, was  daily thrown up, radi-
cally cured  by the use of this  water in  the
course of six or eight weeks.  (Mr. F., of
Princeton, is an example of this.)
  When dyspepsia is known to be dependent
upon scirrhus or cancer  of the stomach, I would
strenuously advise the patient to abstain from
the  use  of the Salt Sulphur, and indeed from
that of any mineral water.  Mrs. C—, of North
Carolina, was, I am convinced, destroyed by it.
  Chronic Irritation  of the  Bowels, giving
rise to chronic diarrhoea, or dysentery, upon
the  principle of a new action being set up, are
frequently cured by the use of the Salt Sul-
phur.   I wish this  statement to be borne  in
mind, for it is usual to  decry the use of a Sul-
phur water in such cases ; but the experience
of those who have paid attention to the subject,
will bear me out in the assertion.  Mr. T., of
Philadelphia, who for  three  years  laboured 
274  SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

under chronic diarrhoea, and  who was sup-
posed to have ulceration of the mucous mem-
brane of the bowels, was radically cured by a
few weeks' use of the water.
   Constipation.—Habitual costiveness is an-
other affection for  which the Salt Sulphur
water is an excellent remedy.
   Hemorrhoids.—The use of  laxatives in
piles is a treatment so long in use that nothing
need be said  in its favour but that Sulphur
water operates much more beneficially than
any other agent,  inasmuch as in nearly every
case of chronic piles we find the liver more or
less affected.  This fact, first observed by Arm-
strong, is so universally admitted, that  I shall
not stop to  say anything  towards its further
substantiation.
  7. Chronic Diseases of the Urinary  Or-
gans.—From the fact that nearly all mineral
waters, either from the quantity usually taken,
or from some peculiarity of their ingredients,
prove diuretic, they have always been favour-
ite  remedies in diseases of the urinary organs.
Those which contain an  excess of alkaline
ingredients, have without doubt proved re-
markably serviceable  in cases of acid calcu- 
SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.     275
lous diathesis, but it must be confessed that
as a general rule, and always where the stone
is  large, they prove but  a doubtful remedy.
In the incipient  stages of calculous disease,
however, and  those especially in which  the
formation  of stone is dependent upon some
disease of the digestive apparatus, the Sulphur
waters are often  useful.   Many such cases
have  been benefitted at  the Salt  Sulphur.
When this water fails to accomplish the  de-
sired  object, I have seen that of the Sweet
Springs productive of much good.
  Although this water may be considered as
a somewhat doubtful remedy in calculous dis-
ease of  any duration, it must be allowed to
possess  astonishing  sanative  properties  in
chronic irritation of the  mucous membrane
of the kidneys, bladder, prostate gland, and
urethra.   Many cases of chronic nephritis,
vesical catarrh, prostatic  irritation and gleet,
are annually cured by its employment.
  8.  Chronic Diseases  of the  Genitals.—
Like  all Sulphur waters, those of the Salt
Sulphur are often very  useful  in  obstinate
cases of general or local debility, the result of
previous excessive indulgence. They are also 
276   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

remarkably beneficial in  atonic leucorrhoza,
amenorrhoea, and dysmenorrhosa ; but when
either of these complaints is dependent upon
local or general plethora, the use of the water
must be preceded by depletion, either local or
general, according to circumstances.
  9. Chronic Rheumatism, and Gout.—The
diseases most frequently met with after those
of the digestive organs, at our different water-
ing-places, are rheumatism and gout.  In all
such  the  alterative  influence of a Sulphur
water  is  invariably, I believe, more  or less
useful ;  but to receive full benefit from  its
use, the warm or hot mineral bath should be
resorted to,  and the  diet, clothing, and exer-
cise, properly regulated.  With many others,
I cheerfully acknowledge the immense benefit
derived from the use of the Salt Sulphur.
  10.  Mercurial Rheumatism, Periostitis,
and Inflammation of the Bones, are also very
much relieved (in most  cases) by the use of
the Salt  Sulphur.   Along with  the water, it
will be well to use the Hot Baths.
   11.  Chronic Diseases of the Skin.—When
 judiciously administered, no  remedy is pro-
ductive of more permanent benefit in all cuta-
% 
           SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.      277

neous affections, than the Sulphur waters, but
unfortunately they are but  too often  abused.
They are only suitable  when  the  eruptions
are of long duration,  and unaccompanied by
inflammation.  Used in the  acute stages, they
aggravate the symptoms.  It is always proper,
moreover, to employ  the warm or hot  baths
during the use of the water.   The  Salt Sul-
phur is often eminently successful in relieving
cases of this kind.
   I have thus  briefly sketched the  principal
affections to which the water of the Salt Sul-
phur is applicable, and to show that  my asser-
tions are borne out by facts, I insert the  certi-
ficates of several persons, who, with  myself,
were very much benefitted by its use :
             Salt Sulphur Springs, July 29th, 1835.
To Messrs. Erskine and Caruthers :
     Gentlemen,—The undersigned, visiters at the Salt
Sulphur Springs, prompted by a sense of grateful respect
for your kind and unwearied attentions to ourselves and
families, beg leave to convey to you our assurance of en-
tire satisfaction with the arrangements of your establish.
ment.   Such have been the cordial hospitalities and ample
and varied accommodations of your house, that we shall
ever look back to our temporary residence with you with
pleasure and delight.
  Experience, which is the best analysis your Spring can
have, justifies us in recommending it as an invaluable anti.
            24 
 278   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

 dyspeptic water, relieving the liver, bowels, and vascular sys-
 tem, and acting very kindly upon the secretions generally.
   If order, abundant and well  prepared  fare,  excellent
 bedding, quiet and  obliging  domestics,  impartial  and
 gentlemanly efforts to  promote health and comfort, have
 any influence  upon public favor, the proprietors of the
 Salt Sulphur will certainly secure it.
      With sentiments of respectful regard,
                     Your obedient servants,
   Rev. Benjamin M.  Palmer,  Charleston, S. C.;  James
 Chestnut, Camden, S. C.;  Jos. Otis,  New York ; Rev.
 John Johns, D. D., Baltimore,  Md.;  Alfred Leyburn,
 M. D., Lexington, Va.;  Rev. Henry  V.  D.  Johns,
 Fredericktown, Md.;  H.  V.  Levis, Philadelphia; Wm.
 H. Hubbard, Richmond, Va.; Thomas Wilson, Baltimore;
 Thomas Easley, Halifax co., Va. ; A. Sebrell, Kanawha,
 Va.; William Ellicott,  Ellicott's Mills, Md.; Willis Jones,
 M. D., Milton, N. C;  Henry  P. Norris,  Baltimore ; R.
Jones, U. S. A., Washington;  W. B. Meacham,  Missis-
sippi ; Peter H. Dilliard, Rockingham co., N. C.;  James
V. Toby, New Orleans; Geo. L. Twiggs, Georgia; Richard
Tubman, Georgia ; S.  T. Gaillard, South Carolina ; P. A.
Clay, Bedford,  Va.; Jacob G. Davies,  Baltimore; Samuel
R. Smith,  Baltimore; Robert M. R. Smith, Baltimore; J.
B. Grimball, South Carolina; Oliver Norris, Baltimore; A.
K. Brown, Petersburg; Wm. A. Caruthers, M. D., New
York; Jno. Clark, M. D.,  New York ; Samuel St. John,
Jun., Mobile ; William Wilson,  Lexington,Va.; Charles S.
Richards, New York ; Olio Dyer, Mobile ; William Bones,
Charleston, S.  C.; John P. Staples, Patrick co., Va.; Geo.
Walton, Lynchburg, Va.;  John T. E. Lewis, Brunswick,
Va.; James Greenlee, Rockbridge co., Va.; Benj. B. Duke,
Louisa co., Va.; M. H. Dosson, Louisiana ; Wm. Brown,
North Carolina; John Harleston, South Carolina ; Francia
D. Quash, South Carolina ; S.  Garland, Lynchburg, Va.; 
SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.       279
 Geo. C. Friend, Charlotte co., Va.; Edward Wilkins, North
 Carolina ; Orlando S. Rees, South Carolina ;  J. B. Billysley,
 South Carolina ; Thomas Shivers, Philadelphia ; F. Pinck-
 ney Lowndes, Charleston, S. C.; Thomas W. White, Hal-
 ifax county,  Va.;  Burwell  Basset,  Williamsburg;  C.  P.
 Dorman, Lexington, Va.; Charles H. Robertson, Charlotte
 county, Va.;  Henry Robertson, Charlotte county, Va.;
 Samuel N. Stevens, Charleston, S. C.

              Salt Sulphur Spring, August 13th, 1838.
 Messrs. Erskine and Caruthers :
    Gentlemen,—Having been greatly benefitted by drink-
 ing the waters of your valuable Spring, I deem it a duty
 to my fellow-beings to  leave this statement of my case  in
 your hands.—For six months previous to my coming here,
 I had been suffering with a most obstinate constipation of
 the bowels, which I  had tried in vain to remove by medi-
 cine, diet, and exercise  ; and during that time I could not
 obtain a  stool without the  aid of an injection, and  great
 pain attending it.  After being here ten days, the Salt Sul-
 phur water began to  act freely on my bowels, and now, at
 the expiration of a month, I am glad  to inform you that the
 constipation is entirely removed, my health and strength
 restored,  and I am now going home in cheerful spirits  to
 my friends.        Yours, truly,
                        George A. Butt,  New York.

              Salt Sulphur Springs,  August 10th, 1836.
    Mrs.---- left her house in a state of great debility,
 scarcely able  to walk, and  was but little recruited by the
journey.  She reached  the Salt Sulphur on the 20th July,
 having stopped a week  at the White Sulphur on the way,
 but without using the water.  After remaining three days
 at the Salt Sulphur, and partaking of the waters there
 she proceeded to the Red Sulphur, and staid there six days, 
280   SPRINGS  OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

returning on the 29th July to the Salt, having, while at the
Red, used two or three tumblers of the water per diem ; re-
mained at the Salt Sulphur until the 9 th of August.  When
Mrs.----arrived first at the Salt Sulphur, she weighed 91
pounds, and was unable  to walk  any distance,  or use any
degree of exercise, without suffering greatly.
  In thirteen days after her arrival at the Salt Sulphur, she
was again weighed in the same scales, and had increased to
95£ pounds, making a gain of 4£ pounds in weight, while
the circumference of her waist had been reduced nearly five
inches.   In the interim, her countenance and eyes had un-
dergone an essential change for the better, her spirits and
strength  restored, so as  to take any ordinary  exercise  of
riding or  walking without inconvenience. The quantity,of
water which  she ordinarily took was  from three to four
glasses per diem, and she was careful in her diet, avoiding
all warm bread,  and principally using bran  bread, hom^hy,
mutton, &c. &c.

                              Stanton, March, 1822.
    Some years since I was afflicted with an obstinate and
dangerous disease, from which I was unable  to obtain relief
until I visited the Salt Sulphur Spring,  near Union,  in the
county of Monroe.   The use of that water  restored  me to
perfect health  ; which makes it my duty to state, at the re-
quest of the proprietors, the high opinion I have formed of
its medicinal efficacy.   I consider the Salt Sulphur water
eminently useful in all cases that require cathartic remedies,
particularly such diseases of the liver and stomach as pro-
ceed from  biliary obstructions.   The  operation upon the
bowels is active, but not violent; cleansing effectually the
alimentary canal, and promoting digestion in a remarkable
degree.  The cathartic tendency of the water is so mild and
certain, that the stomach and bowels are never oppressed
or irritated; and whilst the healthy functions of the system 
SALT SULPHUR  SPRINGS.         281
 are enabled to take their course, the suspended "causes of
 disease are gradually worn away.
                               Briscoe G. Baldwin.

   In the year 1812 I visited the Sweet and Sulphur Springs.
 I was then laboring under a nervous debility and  extreme
 costiveness.  I derived much benefit from the use of all
 those waters, but found none  so strong and active as the
 Salt Sulphur.  I concur in the opinion with many,  that this
 is a valuable water, and should be more sought after.
   Certified this 6th day of May, 1823.
                                     S. B. Chapman.

              Salt Sulphur Springs, August 31st,  1836.
 Messrs. Erskine and Caruthers :
       Gentlemen,—Intending to leave your excellent and
perfectly arranged establishment to-mcrrow on my return
home,  I  cannot, however, do so  without expressing my
thanks to you for your politeness and attention to myself,
 (and I observed the same  attention to  others,) during my
etay at the Salt Sulphur; and I have much pleasure in say.
ing, that the use of the Salt Sulphur Spring water has been
eminently beneficial to me, for, prior to  my coming here, I
had been suffering for upwards of eighteen months from a
total derangement of stomach from a long residence  in a
warm climate (Bermuda), say,  bad bile, great acidity of
stomach, and an overflow  of mucus to the lungs ; in short,
I had the dyspepsia with all its disagreeables, accompanied
with debility of body.  Having tried the White  Sulphur for
ten days  without  benefit,  I came  here, and in a week I
found relief from all my complaints ; but my medical advi-
ser, who practised at the White,  recommended me to try
the Red Sulphur,  notwithstanding  my having written to
him of my improved state,—my pulse, for one thing, being
reduced from 80 to 73 beats.   I went to the Red, and staid
                 24* 
 282    SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

 there eight days ;* my pulse rose on the third day to 82, the
 fifth day-89, the sixth day to 96 and 109.  I was obliged to
 be leeched,which reduced my pulse to 84.  I had three head-
 aches and great dryness of tongue ; so on the 9th day in
 the morning, I returned to  the Salt, where, on the fourth
 day, my pulse was again at 73, on the sixth day at 71, and
 has continued from that day to this, varying only from 71
 to 72, night and  morning.
   I always counted my pulse in bed, when quiet, before
 drinking the water; for, after drinking the Spring water,
 my pulse latterly came down to 68 beats.   I was attentive
 to my  diet, taking  only stale  bread  or  dry toast, with
 scarcely any butter, two cups of tea with milk (no cream)
 for breakfast; my dinner was mutton (no gravy) with rice
 and stale bread, no other vegetable—sometimes I took roast
 fowl, but no pudding or pies; at  tea-time, I  took one cup
 of tea and  stale bread, no butter, I found grease so bad for
 me.   The quantity of water taken by me was two half-pint
 tumblers at half past 5 o'clock in the morning in bed ; one
 tumbler at 12 o'clock;  sometimes one at 5 o'clock ; and
 when in bed at night I took one  more tumbler of the water,
 but if I wished to perspire a little more freely, I took two
 tumblers of it.   I found the water determine  gently to the
 bowels, rather than to the kidneys. What I took produced
 a full movement of the bowels.  Before breakfast I walked
 a quarter of an hour; between breakfast and dinner  I walked
 about five miles, often  going to Union ; between dinner and

  • We have a distinct recollection of this gentleman's case.  He had
been laboring under chronic irritation of the stomach, which,  by too
 free use of the Sulphur waters, and perhaps imprudence in diet, was
 converted into an acute form, about the time he reached the Red Sul-
phur.  Dr. Saunders, then resident physician at the Red, instituted a
vigorous treatment, which in a few days subdued the attack, and the
patient's  system was now in a condition to receive all the benefit
which he subsequently derived from the Salt Sulphur. 
SALT SULPHUR SPRINGS.        283
 bed-time I think I walked about two miles more.  I used to
 calculate about seven miles a day.  For one hour after din-
 ner I remained quiet in my room.   I ate fruit once, and it
 gave me such a lesson I never tried it again.   I am thus
 particular ;  for it may  be of benefit to  some one else next
 year, and you are quite welcome to show this letter if you
 wish it.
   Wfthing  you your health, not forgetting Mrs. Erskine,
 I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant,
                            W. H. Burnaby, Baronet.

           Salt Sulphur Springs, September 22d, 1839.
 Messrs. Erskine & Caruthers :
  I  have been affected for five or six years with an obsti.
nate disease of the  liver, and dyspepsia, and have visited
nearly all the Springs in the mountains without having ex-
perienced any material benefit, until I came to this place.
I have applied to some of the best physicians without being
relieved, but am happy to state, that the Salt Sulphur water
has had a most beneficial effect in removing many of the
inconveniences attending my disease, insomuch that I am
induced to carry a portion of it home with me.
                   Yours most respectfully,
                                Joseph E. Garratt.
  P. S.—I am a resident of Knoxville, Frederick county,
Maryland.                                  J. E. G.
A true copy of the original,
                       E. & Caruthers. 
CHAPTER XXI.
          BLUE SULPHUR SPRINGS.

  " The Blue Sulphur Springs {Col Perkins)
lie on the travelled road to the Ohio, and are
about 22 miles from the White Sulphur.  The
location of those Springs is picturesque ; the
valley is of limited extent;  the buildings ex-
tensive and in good state ; and the table said
to be among the best on the west side of the
Blue Ridge.  Here are also good baths, a band
of music, and in the neighbourhood are abun-
dance of deer, bear, &c, &e.
   " I have seen an analysis of those waters.
No book that I have seen treats of them ; but
as far as  I  can learn, they have much the
character  of the White Sulphur waters.   I
was  much pleased with  these Springs, and
I find it is not uncommon for those who call
at them, intending to remain but a night, to
Stay a week."
   We are indebted to a friend for the follow- 
          BLUE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     285

ing account of the improvements at this in-
teresting watering-place : —
  The Blue  Sulphur  Spring is  situated  in
the county of Greenbrier, on the head-waters
of Muddy Creek, in a beautiful valley.   The
improvements consist of a brick hotel, 100 feet
long, and 50 feet wide, 100 of which is three-
story, the remainder two-story, with a piazza
12 feet wide, the same height and length.  In
the first story there is a dining-room, 180
feet by 30 ;  two large receiving-rooms, bar-
room, counting-rooms.  Attached to this build-
ing is one two stories high, containing a ball
and drawing-room 90 feet by 32, the upper part
divided into lodging-rooms, with  a two-story
piazza the same length, and 12 feet wide.  At
the end  of this building,  and adjoining the
same, is  a two-story brick building,  150 feet
long, 17 wide, with a two-story piazza in front.
This building is laid off principally into single
rooms, with a fire-place to each.  The piazza
to these  buildings connects with that of the
Hotel, making in  the  whole  one continued
piazza 420 feet long, two and three stories
high.  At the other end of the Hotel, there is
a number of  brick  cottages, containing two 
286   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

and three rooms each, for families, and several
frame cabins in the lawn.  This establishment
is capable of accommodating 300 persons.
   The Sulphur Spring rises in a marble box
about 5 feet square, and discharges 15 gallons
to the minute.  It  makes  a beautiful white,
red, and  purple deposit.  Over this Spring is
a  handsome house of Grecian  architecture.
The water  is  conducted to a large bathing
establishment,  attached to which is a vapour-
bath.   These  baths are under the control of
Dr. Martin, a French  gentleman, formerly of
Staunton.  There is also a  strong Chalybeate
Spring near the Sulphur Spring.
   With regard to  the  medicinal properties of
the Blue Sulphur, it is  generally admitted they
are similar to the White and Salt Sulphur, but
perhaps milder than either of those  waters.
The Blue Sulphur being, therefore, applicable
to the same class of diseases, it is unnecessary
to detain the reader by dwelling on its cura-
tive powers. We are satisfied, that if correctly
applied, it will not disappoint any just expec-
tation.
   It is an agreeable place,  and  the establish-
ment is conducted in  the best manner, under 
          BLUE SULPHUR SPRINGS.     287

the superintendence of George Buster, Esq.,
one of the company by which  it is owned.
  There is a turnpike-road in progress of con-
struction from this place to the Red Sulphur,
which, when completed, will  not only be of
great importance to these two Springs, but will
give visiters a complete circle of travel to all
the great Springs of Western Virginia. 
288   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.
     dagger's, OR dibrell's SPRING.

  Dagger's, or Dibrell's Spring, is situated in
a glade near the western base of the Garden
Mountain, on the main road from Lynchburg
to the White Sulphur, via the Natural Bridge,
from which it is distant about 14 miles.
  We were informed by the worthy proprie-
tor, Charles L. Dibrell, that  the  number of
visiters sometimes reached 200; but we should
think 150 as large a number as could be ac-
commodated with any degree of comfort. The
buildings are well  arranged for convenience
and  effect.   The  lawn is a very beautiful
slope, descending from the Hotel to the Spring
some 300 yards, and is  well shaded by fine
indigenous trees. Altogether, it is an interest-
ing spot, and affords to the  weary traveller,
after a  long day's journey, a sweet haven of
repose and  quietude, from whence he may re-
trace, with  his mind's eye, the  magnificent
scenery he has just passed, and especially that
most sublime of all the creations of Nature in 
     dagger's, or dibrell's SPRING.  289

Virginia—the  passage of the James River
through  the  Blue Ridge Mountain.   This
scene is incomparably finer than that at Har-
per's Ferry;  but, magnificent as it  appears
from the road, it must be inconceivably more
so from the bed of the river.  It is through this
wonderful gorge that the great James River and
Kanawha Canal is to pass, and we venture to
predict that this scene alone will be worth to
the company tens of thousands.
  Here should be erected, by the company, a
statue of that remarkable man, Jos. C. Cabell,
their  president, to whose great sagacity and
indomitable  perseverance through almost in-
surmountable difficulties, the State is indebted
for the two great works of which she has most
reason to be proud—this  Canal, and the Uni-
versity of Virginia.
  In our enthusiasm we had almost forgotten
the Natural Bridge. Of the latter it  is impos-
sible  to convey any adequate description ; it
must be seen to be appreciated ; but let the
reader loiter under or  over this great arch for
an hour or two, and after partaking of a sub-
stantial dinner with the Pontifex, if so we
may call the important  personage who  sup-
           25 
290   SPRINGS OF WESTERN VIRGINIA.

plies bacon and  beans, let him wind his on-
ward way under the cone of the Garden Moun-
tain, and our word for it, he will find the kind
attentions, the delightful fare, and comfortable
lodgings of our friend, Mr. Dibrell, irresistible
inducements to rest for a few days.
  The Sulphur water at this place is said to
be efficacious in several diseases, but on this
head we have no information  within our reach
on which reliance may be placed.  It bears
some  similarity  to the White and Blue Sul-
phur waters, and is probably in some degree
applicable to the same class of diseases.
              ALUM SPRING.

  This Spring is situated in Rockbridge coun-
ty, on the main road from Lexington to the
Warm Springs, and about 17 miles from the
former.  The improvements at this place have
been made within a few years, and we regret
that we can give no definite information, either
as to their extent or to the properties of the
water, having ourselves  never visited  the 
                ALUM SPRING.         391   Vj

neighbourhood.   We had reason to expect a
communication  from a learne^ physician on
the subject, but the discharge of public duties
has intervened.
   The disease for the cure of which this wa-
ter has become celebrated  is Scrofula, and
making great allowances  for  exaggeration,
there can be little doubt it has been eminently
successful in some varieties of this Protean
and frightful malady.




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