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
1. _Maxbrunnen._—This water, when taken early in the morning, causes a
certain degree of irritation in the fauces and nose, that leads to slight
cough or sneezing, succeeded by a sensation of heat in the stomach, and
not unfrequently by some confusion or giddiness in the head, as if from
wine. These phenomena are speedily followed by a comfortable feeling,
refreshment, and agility. After a few glasses of the water are drunk,
the secretion from the kidneys is augmented considerably, followed by
perspiration—and ultimately by some action on the bowels. This last
effect, however, does not generally take place till after the waters have
been used for a few days. The mucous secretion, however, both from the
bowels and air-tubes is always increased—especially if there had been
previously any tracheal or bronchial affection. This spring is found
to be most beneficial to people of bilious, phlegmatic, and plethoric
temperaments. People who shew a decided disposition to catarrhal
affections, or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the lungs, will
do well to mix the Maxbrunnen water with an equal quantity of whey.
Scrofula, chronic bronchitis, indigestion, and other affections, are
benefitted by these waters.
2. _Ragoczy._—A glass of this water taken fasting, causes a refreshing
warmth in the stomach, followed by some degree of distention, with
slight eructations of gas. The head next becomes affected, with a
sense of pressure in the front, and even some degree of giddiness. If
sufficient exercise be taken between each glass, a gentle perspiration
occurs—the kidneys act more freely—and phlegm is expectorated from the
mucous membrane of the air-passages. All these symptoms are generally
followed by two or three actions on the bowels. This cycle of phenomena
occupies from two to four hours, when the symptoms all subside, and
the patient feels comfortable during the remainder of the day. These
phenomena continue for some days—and as the appetite augments, it is too
often indulged freely, with inconvenience. At the end of a few days,
all the functions of the body, but especially the mucous secretions,
take on a considerable degree of activity—and the secretions themselves
become changed in quality as well as quantity. From the end of the first
week till the end of the second, the general state of health is much
altered, in consequence of the excited condition of the whole organism,
which is now roused into action against the malady. “The patient becomes
irascible, capricious, discontented;—the waters no longer render him
comfortable, brisk, or increase his appetite:—on the contrary, the tongue
begins to be furred, the appetite to fail, the secretions to become
irregular and morbid, not only from the bowels, but from the other
mucous membranes, and even the skin, which often exhales a peculiar
acidulous odour.” The urinary secretion gets thick and sedimentary, with
a predominance of acid or alkali, and a scum over its surface. If the
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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