The times., 1898-09-04
FOR RHEUMATISM.
The Baths of Isehia q Sure Cure for
That Disease.

Casamicerola Letter TO New York SUM-
NOW that rheumatism and gout seem 10
De acknowledged as the two evils which
underlie and are the cause of most OF
the evils to which middle and old age
are liable, few words from this earthly
paradise may not come amrss to those
seeking cures for their aches and pains
IN not mud and mineral baths, and a
complete change OF air and scene. Your
readers may only know of Ischia that il
Is an island which fifteen years ago was
desolated by fearful earthquake. and
associate its name dn the words of one
OF my own correspondents) with volcan-
lc upheavals, straw fans, and dire nov
erty, so 1t may be interesting TO some
OF them TO learn that two and quarter
hours distance from Naples, by steam
boat, there lies an island whose beauty
Is beyond the power of words TO express
and whose hot mud and mineral baths
have been famous for their almost nirac-
uious cures since long before the time of
the Christian era
Trees make every foot of II green and
beautiful, the fertility of its botanic soil
being something marvellous. Everywhere
are gardens so picturesque. so lovely
that one Is az a loss which to choose for
the afternoon tea parties of which the
American and English visitors are so
fond. The abundance and cheapnesss OF
the fruit and vegetables are a never
railing source OF wonder to one fresh
from transactions with the green grocer
shops of London and Rome Peaches.
large, sweet and juicy, are already ripe
and the fruit offered each day at the
table d'hote includes strawberries figs
apricots. plums, oranges and green al
monds. The weather. through our five
weeks soJourn, has been absolute Sum-
mer perfection The mornings are gen.
orally warm, although the Thermometer
has never gone beyond 50 degrees but in
the afternoon a cool sea breeze springs
up which makes the evenings fresh and
delicious. The grapes are not yet ripe,
but their promise is magnificent, some
of the clusters being already nearly a
yard long. The hot mineral water used
for the baths comes from a perpetual
spring flowing from the side OF the ex-
tinct volcano, and the mud is taken from
near the spring and is applied like poul-
tice TO the afflicted part. The hotels are
open all the year, and some people come
in the winter. but the best time for the
cure is from the month of May TO No
vember Life here is very inexpensive.
The best hotels, such as the Piccola Sem
tinella, the Bellevue, and the Sauve, ask
from to 10 francs a day en- pension; ser
wants francs; carriage hire. LIS francs
for the first hour. l franc for the second
hour. or francs for the afternoon The
horses have a strain of Arab blood, and
are fast. though small.
My friends absolute cure through her
course of thirty baths has made us most
cordially acquiesce in our Roman doctor )
verdict. that the baths of Ischia are the
best in Europe for rheumatism and gout,
and have also made us anxious 10 extend
the fame of these wonder working waters
10 those of our country people afflicted
by the torture OF those TWO dire maia-
dies. and to whom the Austrian Lloyd
steamship service between New York ana
Naples has made the transit from
America 10 Ischia a much easier jour
uey than the journey from New YORK 70
Arkansas was in the days or yore.