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
This is one of the most celebrated spas in Germany—and more frequented,
as a _medicinal spa_, than any other by our countrymen and women. It
is only four miles from Biberich, near Mayence, and is very pleasantly
situated, with a ridge of the Taunus to the north-east, while the country
is open between it and the Rhine, in the opposite quarter. It is a very
handsome town, of seven or eight thousand souls, and the capital of the
duchy of Nassau. It is, itself, in a slight depression of the ground,
but not so much as to impede a free circulation of air. Wisbaden is
healthy, though rather warm, owing, probably, to the hot springs under
the surface. The temperature, however, renders it a good winter residence
for those who are unable or disinclined to seek the shores of Italy or
other southern localities. The neighbouring country produces all the
necessaries of life in abundance, and the vicinity of Frankfort, Mayence,
and the Rhine, secures it the luxuries, when required. Excellent water
is conducted from the Taunus for the use of the town. The CURSAAL is the
most magnificent in Europe—the hotels are numerous and good—the walks and
rides exceedingly varied, cheerful, and salubrious. There are from ten
to fifteen thousand annual spa-drinkers and bathers—while a far greater
number spend a short time at Wisbaden for pleasure. A considerable number
of the hotels have bathing establishments—the Eagle is the oldest—and
is well appointed. In turning up from this hotel towards the Cursaal,
we stumble on the KOCHBRUNNEN, (the scalding spring,) the grand source
of the drinking waters, and also of several baths. It has rather a mean
appearance, and the water looks rather of a greenish-yellow colour, and
seems turbid in the well, with a scum over a part of it, which is called
“_cream_,” and is considered by the chemists as a peculiar animal or
extractive matter, whose nature and source are unknown. The taste is that
of weak chicken-broth with rather too much salt. There are upwards of
nine hundred baths in the different establishments.
The plantations, extending from the back of the Cursaal to the old ruin
of Sonnenburg Castle, are very beautiful—and thence are paths cut among
the umbrageous woods to the PLATTE, the Duke’s Summer-house, on one of
the mountains of Taunus, whence a magnificent view is obtained—Rhineward
and Inland.
The road to Schwalbach and Schlangenbad present fine airy drives and
walks over high, open, and unwooded grounds, communicating health and
vigour to the enfeebled frame.
As may be supposed, the Romans were well acquainted with Wisbaden, and
close to the Kochbrunnen, in the Romerbad, may be still seen the remains
of several Roman baths—and one in particular having two springs of its
own. But the monuments of antiquity in this place are numerous.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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