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
Dr. Heidler considers the Ambrosiusbrunn as bearing considerable
analogy to Bruckenau, Bocklet, and the Stahlbrunn at Swalbach; but
as far as the chemical composition is concerned, there is much
difference, as may be perceived by reference to those springs. Dr. H.
prefers the Ambrosiusbrunn for children, and also for adults of very
weak and delicate constitutions, as preparatory to the water of the
Carolinenbrunn. It is easy of digestion, and may be taken for a long
time, without inconvenience. It is very useful in gravelly complaints.
The Carolinenbrunn is of more extensive application than the
Ambrosiusbrunn; but much less so than the Kreuzbrunn, or even the
Ferdinandsbrunn. Experience has shewn that the “_acidulous chalybeates_,”
whose properties are exciting and tonic, are much less useful in chronic
diseases than those which are solvent, and which produce crises in the
course of their operation—especially through the medium of the bowels and
the kidneys.
The first impression of the Carolinenbrunn on the stomach is excitant
and refreshing, like all other acidulous springs. It has been generally
used by the inhabitants as common drink; and yet it does not digest so
easy, among the invalids, as the other springs of Marienbad—many of them
experiencing weight and oppression at the epigastrium, particularly
if they are weak and irritable constitutions, or labouring under any
congestion or engorgement of the abdominal organs. It is much less
aperient than the Kreuzbrunn and the Ferdinandsbrunn—indeed it often
confines the bowels, and then the patient must take some of the other
waters with the Carolinenbrunn or aperient medicine. This spring is the
strongest in iron of all the others. It bears the greatest affinity to
Schwalbach and Spa; but is a stronger chalybeate, and contains more
carbonic acid gas than they do. It leaves an _après-gout_ of steel on the
palate, as also of sulphur.[63]
The Carolinenbrunn may be classed amongst the exciting and tonic waters.
It moderately excites the circulation and the nervous system, by a
transient stimulation, which does not leave a debility behind. Although
it is not aperient, it rarely produces astringent effects, like bark,
steel and other tonics. It augments the action of the kidneys—and may
be said to gently increase the activity of the whole organism, without
checking any of the secretions. It is therefore prescribed, with much
advantage, in all cases of pure debility, and unattended with any fever
or local inflammation. Care ought always to be taken that the bowels
are cleared of all impurities before this water is used, and that
constipation is guarded against during the course. It is used in baths.
The rules for using the waters are not materially different from those
enforced at other spas. The season lasts from the beginning of May till
the end of September.
THE BATHS.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account