The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1879-05-16
LETTER FROM HOT SPRINGS.


Editor Ouachitcz Telegraph
In view of the notice in your gladly
received issue of the I'd inst, stating
that other pleasure seekers from Mon
roe would soon follow the departure
of s. w. Saunders and myself for this
place, a few lines regarding this South
ern Mecca for invalids may not be in
opportune. Pleasure seeking, unless it
be the pleasure of getting well, is not
considered an important factor in a
sojourn here. Health seeking (and
finding) may be appropriately substi-
tuted, as think the Springs are de-
serving of all the credit claimed for
them, provided an intelligent and
A too sweeping prejudice against the
medical fraternity here circulated
abroad has operated injuriously against
many seeking relief from these waters.
Doubtless some pseudo physicians,
without conscience or reputation, gull
ing the unwary have been the cause
of the existence of this feeling. But as
intelligent and skillful practitioners are
to be found here as exist anywhere.
A patient on coming here ought to
have his complaint properly diagnosed
by physician of unquestioned reputa-
ton, and strictly adhere to a prescribed
course of treatment-a judicious use of
the waters acting as a valuable adjunct
in renovating the system. But little
medicine is prescribed by good physi-
clans. Excellent board can be had
here at from IS to $40 per week.
This city is in a chrysolite state at
present. The buildings on this govern
ment reservation having been con-
demned and the owners compensated,
| the lots will soon be sold and substan-
| tial buildings of a permanent character
erected on a handsome avenue of not
| less than 100 feet in width.
The permanency of the Springs as a
remedial resort is, I think, unques-
| tionable. My own experience Of their
efficacy is, that on my arrival here ten
| days ago, could not walk even a few
steps without very great suffering and
had not slept an hour any night for
usual amount of sleep, can walk up
any of the overhanging hills without
inconvenience, and my appetite has
become excellent and digestion perfect;
and this in spite of most unfavorable
weather, making fires and overcoats
almost Indispensable. attribute my
Improvement to daily course of dry
cupping and electricity from spine to
ankle, my ailment being sciatica, the
most obstinate form CT neuralgia atfec-
tions. This I obtained most satisfacto-
rily at the Medical and Surgical Insti-
tute, of which a nephew of Capt. Tobin
is president. In addition, am daily
going through with the course of hot
water and vapor baths, and drinking
freely Of hot water. This, one would
suppose, would result in a thorough
cooking both inside and out and,
indeed, when one dons his red flannel
underclothes after a bath the resem-
blance to a ssbiled lobster" is somewhat
striking.
I can conscientiously recommend a
visit here to those suffering from any
of the ailments enumerated in the Hot
Springs pamphlet which I mail you
with this. But I would by no means
advise visit by the families of your
livery stable proprietors, unless you
| wished to unduly hurry up additional
Congressional representation.
Yours truly, II. PURCELL.