, 1875-09-26
~1aLa.1C1M aATHoEM SPRING WATER
oN
n II A. i; :llI::II;ORu !
SPRING LII!
MINERAL: WATER
By S. A. FISK, N. d.
OF NORTHAMPTON.
tReprinted from the Boston Medical and Surpi-
cal Journal, June 10, 1851
Read Before the Hampshire District Medical 81
ciety, Hay u, 1875.
tReprinted from the Boston Medical and Surpi-
cal Journal, June 10, 1851
Read Before The Hampshire District Medical ~
ciety, Hay u, 1875,

MINERAL WATERS are probably the most nota
BILE Of all tho remedial agents which have hee1
used by nan from very early period; thei
| curative powers Have not only inspired his faith
but have also retained it to u considerable ex
| tont, and thls, too, Notwithstanding the medica
profession OF late years has seemed largely t.
| overlook the real merits OF these therapentit
agents.
While I have for many yssrs regarded the
waters OF saratogs Springs as an agreeable beY.
| erage and \ pleasant evacuant, 1 have, in con-
mon with very many, it not With large ma1or.
ity Of the medical profession, looked upon those
springs rather as resort OF the gay rotazies oil
pleasure aud fashion, than OF those seeking
benefit from medicinal waters !. Such is un-
doubted1y the fact to considerable degree; and
to this is probably due the belief that whateye.
Of removed health and yigor may follow visit
to this renowned place is to be ascribed rathe,
to the pure and stimulating air, to relaxation
and relief from the engrossments Of business,
to temporary change Of habits Of life, aod to
tho varied and p1easurable excitements attend
ant upon sojourn in the midst Of scenes 80
diyerting, than to the real remedial Qualities OF
tho mineral springs.
Admitting that these influences have q happy
and beneficial effect upon the oyerworked, still
there is large ciass Of insalids who resor*
there not to be active participants in gay scenes
bat to drink tho waters, and who do find them
health-giysng and possessed Of positive curative
value. In euch CAGES the ingigosated health and
renovated spirits cannot be ascribed simply to
change Of air or to the relaxation which the 60
cial attractions and Auusemsnss Of the place
afford; for without the uss OF the water these
rasults do not 80 surely follow. neither do they
follow in osaa<lseA->+dagree=~--- =
Three yosrs ago visited Saratoga Springs
With different object in view and in q different
condition than ever before; went then % a
seeker after health, and became IN exceedingly
interested and critical observer and investigator.
For many months prior to that time l had be-
come the subject Of persistent insomnla. Sleep
wculd visit my eyelids but fer brief period At =
time; from thirty to sixty minutes was it's aver
age duration, to be succeeded BY long intervals
OF Wakefulness.
Accompanying this vigilance was the still moro
distressing melady Of vertigo from which + suf-
fered often, and which At times confined me to
my bed from two to sight days, then wearing
gradually of, to be speedily followed By another
attack, quite Is disabling md prostrating as se-
we're sea-sickness. A fsw hours Of mental e1er-
ton, mental anxiety, or any fatigue that low
cred the standard Of my health ct that time WAS
sufficient to produce an attack Of vertigo in it's
Bayerer forms.
Ny stomach sympathized in the general de-
and was not, ~ might be supposed,
Z primary cause Of the mischief. Anything and
that ate caused Distress The ac-
Kim ~ tha heart waa faeh,a md varr l,ac;aoa
3ropev of nv legs now showed itaa1f and became
exceedingly tronhlesonno tbe odama INCREASING
Modarata nhyaica1 exercise ove,carna ma A
ida Of sir or eoht mica axhonatad ma and |
ujtn t;a thare wns mt thu s,;cb.est e,rec;st;on
vas the victim or e,reat nervons nroatraHon . |
,,acnoa;s zrhicl, w,s confirmed br Il nnr,hor or |
W. nrofeaeona, hrathran who ,f4ar ,ooe+ +h,r
,nph Investigation were uDahlo to discorer or-
,nnic disease. Havin. failod to get rel;ef from
amcdies guceested from the pha1macopnia, + |
aaortod in hi. con6ition tn Sar,too. Snrinos.
,ot A. before for relaxation and euioYment. but
or the purpoee OF drinking the wsters for their
Medicinal and remedial effects.
Theao watera. in tho nomenclature Of mineral
nr;roa are hnown aa alkaline-saline vate.s.
;einr highly CHARGED with carhouic acid gns.
hoy take up and hold in solution the alkaj,ne
arhonntea md chloride of sodium p1iucipalI7: |
houph some of the springs. in addition to
hese hold ca:bonate Of iron, carbonate of lithia,
,dide Of sodium, and other salts more OF less in
olution. The large amour: Of carbonic acid
as contained III tnese "sses7 no1 GUY n'c1eases
80 .,...:- <.-L1
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