Pilgrimages to the Spas in Pursuit of Health and Recreation: With an inquiry into the comparative merits of different mineral waters: the maladies to which they are applicable, and those in which they are injuriousJohnson, James
Science
Pilgrimages to the Spas in Pursuit of Health and Recreation: With an inquiry into the comparative merits of different mineral waters: the maladies to which they are applicable, and those in which they are injurious
Johnson, James
Balneology; Health resorts; Mineral waters
when tottering palsy has been discharged from Wisbaden and Wildbad,
as much reduced in general, as recruited in local power—when blighted
ambition, wounded pride, ruined fortunes, and corroding cares, have
sapped the energies of mind and body, and marked their impress on the
pale and sickly countenance—when the “green and yellow melancholy” of
hopeless love or severed affections wanes to the alabaster hue on the
maiden’s cheek—then SCHWALBACH, with its ruby fountains and sparkling
gases, comes to the rescue, and works as many miracles and metamorphoses
as steel and carbonic acid can any where effect. The saline spas of
Germany are all of the radical cast. They are qualified to break down
and expel the rotten and decayed parts of the constitution—but they can
seldom build up or repair the vacant spaces. The chalybeate spas, among
which SCHWALBACH holds a distinguished rank, unite the principles of
conservatism and reform. They are calculated to preserve the original
constitution, and to _re_-form those portions that have been pulled down
and extruded by the “_mouvement_,” or radical waters of the saline class.
In none of the three springs is there more than three-fourths of a grain
of iron to the pint—and in the Pauline—the most fashionable one—there is
little more than half a grain; but it contains nearly 40 cubic inches
of carbonic acid gas to the pint, which, with six grains of carbonate
of sodium, two grains of carbonate of lime, and nearly three grains of
magnesia, makes it the most ætherial and aperient of the three sisters.
The water of the Wein-brunnen is limpid, pleasant to the taste, and
sparkling like champaigne. It is very easy of digestion, even when taken
in considerable quantity. Almost immediately after being swallowed,
it produces an agreeable warmth in the stomach, and thence diffuses a
sensation of comfort, nearly amounting to pleasure, through the whole
frame. It acts gently on the bowels in most cases. It is easily preserved
in bottles for any length of time.
The Stahl-brunnen is the greatest favourite with the ladies. It contains
about three-fourths of a grain of iron, and little more than three grains
of other substances in the pint. It is sharper and rougher to the taste,
and has more of the inky gout than either of the other springs. It is
also much more refreshing and exhilarating. The carbonic acid is very
abundant. The waters more nearly resemble Champaigne than the other
sources, and quickly diffuse a powerful energy over the whole frame.
Formerly these waters caused an eruption on the skin; but they do not so
at present.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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