Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-07-25
From, The Religious Herald.
The Healing Springs.

Herald. puOllSneu, IoI TIE ueueHt vi '''o ai."'
ed, short notice of our mineral springs. Many
invalids have been restored to heath, who were
encouraged by that notice to try their virtue.
Two years ago, DR.. Patton, of Lewlsburg, IN
troduced to public notice, for the first time, some
mineral waters in the county of Bath, (three
miles south of the Hot Springs,) under the title
of the "Healing Springs"
His testimony, as to their virtues in general
but especially as to their efficiency In cerihin
diseases, is being abundanty sustained by expert
| ence.
was lead by this notice to try these waters
the past summer, and found upon my ARRIVAL
| large number of diseased persons, who were using
them for the relief of their various maladles.
| Iwas soon convinced, by observing the effect
upon them, that the Dr. had not in this notice,
drawn upon his Imagination, Gas some supposed
nor ever estimated their curative powers.
In addition to medical ~properties-conmon to
other mineral waters-this is positive and pow
erful agent, in forms of suffering for the relief OF
which nature and art are generally invoked in
! vain.
As many persons, land among them some OF
my friends, are victims to those forms of disease,
| deem it duty to publish something for their
information and encouragement about this wonder
! ful water.
To those of them who are suffering with dis
eased eyes-even TO the loss ofsight-l would say,
delay not, to give this wafer trial. saw those
that had been blind, who were restored to sight
| The extent TO which diseases of this organ are
controlled by its action is truly astonishing: and
especially when occasoned by scrolulous and scor-
| butte huInors. What | saw, and much that was
credibly testified, which did not see, led me to
desire most ardenty, that all who were suffering
from morbid conditions of this organ could but
know what remedy our heavenly Father has
provided in this water for such maadies.
Judging from what saw, would say to those
who are suffering from scrofula, let no stage OF
this awful maady discourage you from a trial of
this water. No description on paper will furnish
an adequate idea of what it has done in the cure
of this disease, and as far as could learn, with
out failure, where it was judiciously and perse-
veringly used.
To those who are suffering with chronic, or
sub acute rheumatism. would say the same thing.
! In view of the cures that have been effected by
it in rheumatism, no stage of this disease should
any longer be considered hopeless.
To those who are suffering from tumOrs and
inucterafe ulcers, would say, delay not to tly
these waters. | saw running issues Of many
gears Standing (through which scales of bone
were frequently escaping) entirely relieved, and
the parts rendered sound and healthy.
| | would. from chat Sa,c, say with equal con-
idence to all who are the subjects of cuaneous or
skin diseases, whether general or local, OF long
standing, or Of recent occurrence, that this water
should be tried Ifit has failed in diseases Of this
kind, did not hear Of it,
For neuralgia-that is connected with gener-
al arrangement of the system, and especially of
the nervous system, would say, this water may
be looked to as a specific.
For the above enumerated diseases am of o.
pinion, that to cure is the rule, and TO fail the
eXception-and that there is no known remedy to
be compared with this water in efficiency.
In dyspepsia-torpid conditions of the liver
and chronic diarrhel, would say. Judging from
what saw that this water, in efficiency, equals
our bc3. mineral waters, but does not excel some
of them.
In bronchitis, chronic inflammation Of the blad-
der, enlargement of the PROSTATE gland, and irTt
alton of the urethra, it is in my judgement, more
TO be relied on (and especially in bronchitis.)
than any of our known waters, although the value
of some Of them is great in these forms of dis
ease.
The subjects of asthma have sought and speed
lily found relief at these springs.
Gases of chronic thrush have been subjected to
their action and permanently cured. | heard Of
no failures in this disease.
learned from reliable sources that very hope
less cases of paralysis had found prompt and per-
manent relief.
For the valeiudinarian, this water Gin my Judge
menD is entitled 10 all that has been said Of it by
DR.. Palton-and he has said great deal.
II is reasonable to suppose that the medical
material held in solution by this water is to be
found in no other mineral wafer known to us, in
anything ike The sane combinations. 1t has not,
however, been analysed, because the owners wish
its reputation TO rest alone upon the actual results
Of It's use. When the human body is immersed
in this water, its medical material, in gutinOus
form, is rapidly despositsd upon the skin, and is
there held by tenacly that deGes friction 10 dis
lodge it. 1t is easy to admit that in this arrange
ment, provision has been made to accomplish some
of the astonishing results to be seen.
BY the use of ihe bath, some len or fifteen min
ules, one every day, in connection with the in
ternal use Of the water the nerves, when disquet-
ed by disorder, are speedily composed. and the
whole system filed with new energy. By more
frequent, or protracied use of the bath. the
most powerful nervous structure is liable to be
thrown into state of distraction.
This water evidently acts with great power,
both internally and externally, upon the nervous
and glandular systems. This is made manifest
by lis effects upon all diseases originating in, or
connected with, a diseased condition Of these sys-
tens Of vessels.
These springs belong to valley stretching a.
long the western base of the Warm Springs
mountain. They are located in an elevated, dry.
and romantic spot, and are prevaded by most
bracing and pleasant atmosphere. The tempera-
ture Of each spring is S6o--the water has neither
taste nor smell. The springs are four in number
two are used for drinking purposes--two supply
reservoirs for bathing purposes. Over one OF these
reservoirs there is bath house-the other is open
to the sun-is about fifteen feet square, and has
depth of some four or five feet. From this reser-
voir the water escapes at the bottom, and is con-
Quoted by pipes 10 second bath house some hum
dred yards off.
The water in this reservoir, when agitated, is
perfectly transparent; but, when still, there is
soon seen floating on its surface something that
resembles oil. Of cloudy and dusty appearance.
close observer, under suitable light. can dis
cern, just above this surface, millions of sparks,
resembling those thrown eff by an electric ma
chine. The direction Of these sparks is always
horizontal This apparent oil seems to be brought
up to the surface of this pool by the ever.rsing
bubbles-as they burst, it deposits on and near
the surface, and gives the water, when still,
dull, dingy appearance. was informed that it
was rendered perfectly transparent again, in an
instant, by the falling into it of little rain-water.
The water in this pool (and it may be so with
each Of the other founains) has periodical agita
tions. from disturbing force somewhere, that
causes it, for short time, to lash the sides Of
the pool by its waves like the Atlantic in storm.
This phenomenon, 50 far as could hear, has been
but recently discovered, and has fallen under the
observation of but few persons. The Rev. Mr..
Slaughter and myself were SO fortunate as TO rea-
lize the pleasure of seeing it.
In this open reservoir there grows very deli
cate and beautiful fbrous moss, of dark green