Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-10
VIRGINIA SPRINGS.


their virtues are much less known than they
ought to be-, and that there are numerous inVa-
lids To whom their use would be eminenty Dehe-
fetal. To supply in some degree the dehcieney
of information which conceive to exist respec-
ting these springs, especially in this part OF the
country, 1 proceed to give sketch ot then, %
far as nv own observations will enable me.
The Virginia Springs $50 termed par ereel-
lencel lie close to the great ridge Of the Ailegha-
nv mountain, which divides the waters running
into the Chesapeake from those flowing into the
Ohio. Part Of them are situate on each s'de OF
this ridge, and the whole are included IN rect-
angle extending in length about SO miles from
N. E. to 5. W. and in breadth 20 miles,
Within this space issue from the earth these me.
dicina waters, SO varied in their properties, and
SO powerful in their effects, that 1t may be APP
propriately termed the very abode oil the goddess
Hyeea. In these respects 1t is, in the opinion
of the writer, who has travelled much through
out the u. States and Europe, unrivalled ny any
district on the face Of the globe.
The most frequented and best known OF them
are the Warm, the Hot, the White Sulphur, the
Sweet. and the Salt Sulphur Springs.
waters, with the exception OF the warm and hot
springs, which resemble each other, are entirely
different in the qualities. these, the
whole district of country we have described Is
filled with streams issuing from the sides OF the
mountains, and evidently impregnated with min
erals, but whose medicinal qualities have not
been satisfactorily ascertained.
The Warm Springs are situate IN Bath county,
to which they have given its name, and lmne0'-
ately at the foot of high mountain ridge, TO
which they have also given the name OF warm
Spring Mountain. This mountain, running n.
f.. and S. w. parallel, al the distance OF IL or
tnrpG9 hp
ern boundary OF the fertile valley OF Jackson :
river, a tributary of James river.
The warm springs issue from the ground IN
sufficient quantity to turn small mil htsr dis
,aace below, aud are uniformly ot the 'e'np'ra-
tu oil 969 Ta-v are str"ngl' Inpregnated with
su!phuret,ei hydrpgen gas, but 1t Is not knos n
that they contain aay o her substance IN solution
The bath or BASIN il circle Ot about 50 ieet dia-
meter. m which the water Is pit 70 the height
most agreeable tn baIhers, gene" ally TO the chm
The water flaws upwards. perfectly 'impd,
through the pebbles at the bottom Ut TINS basin,
aud is in sufficient quantity to MAINTAIN the bath
always at the temperature OF the human body
There is also constantly disengaged frcm the bot
tom large quantity Of gas, the bubbles of which.
striking against the body, produce the most de.
lghtful utilization imaginable. The whole OF
these circumstances combine to form bath the
most luxurious possible; and to which we believe
we NAV defy nature aud art, singly or combined,
10 produce an equal. 1t is said to be very use
ful in rheumatic or cutaneous complaints, but Is
generally employed after visit to the White
Sulphur Springs.
The situation of the little village of Warm
Springs in deep valley, renders the effect OF
the midday sun very powerful; it is partly com.
pensated. however, by the great elevation OF the
whole valley above the level Of the tide. The
inhabitants appear to be much scandalized by the
unfounded assertion OF MIR. Jeffsrson-that - 1t
rains here four or five days in every week"
The Hot Springs are five miles S. w. from
the " arm Springs, and appear to be similar to
them in every respect except the temperature,
which is variously stated from 1919 to l12o.-
They are said to be very effectual in old chronic
rheumatic complaints. The method Of using them is
for the patient to remain in the bath ten or fifteen
minutes, and on coming out to lie on mattrass,
covered with blankets. A most proiuse perspl-
ration ensues. which is kept up for some time,
and which renders great care necessary to pro-
tect the system against injury.
The White Sulphur Springs, about As miles
to the s. w. of the Warm Springs, are situate
in Greenbrier county, on Howard's creek, a
branch Of Greenbrief river, which is a tributary
of the Kanawha. They are at the western foot
Of the.Alleghany Mountain, and Immediately on
the route that has been proposed and surveyed Tor
the communication, whether by rail road or Ca
ual, between the James River and Kanawha. -
The name is taken from white deposite Of sui.
phur which is left by the water on the shores OF
its channel. The spring is tolerably copious
one. Of the ordinary temperature. and is gener-
ally used internally. Taken in this way, to the
amount Of FIVE or SIX glasses daily before break
fast, it acts as a most powerful Alternative, with
out producing any Of those violent or injurious
effects which usually attend the administration
of Alternative medicines AT the same time, its
sensible effects on the body are very moderate,
acting only as purgs,ive for day or two. and
then as mild aperjent. Hence it is found to
be eminently serviceable in deranged states oil
the hillary secretions, appearing to possess all
the giant powers of mercury without its deleteri'
Gus qualities. In cases also OF nervous irritablI'
ity arising from deransed action OF the system.
II appears to operate like charm. The use oil
this water for two days gave the writer good
night of undisturbed sleep, luxury he had not
erilS al fur years before. There are many other
diseases in which it appears to be very eftica-
cious. bur which the limited visits Of an invalid
did nol aff,rd sufficient time or occasion to stu