Observations on mineral waters, and on sea-bathing, with cautions and admonitions on their use and application.

Date:
[1801]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on mineral waters, and on sea-bathing, with cautions and admonitions on their use and application. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Though mineral waters, in general, should never be resorted to without medical advice, it may be1 here pro- per to observe, that previous to a course of chalybeate waters, bleeding, and a cooling purge, may be necessary, in case of heat, and any disposition to fever. I.ideed, where there is much fever, and also in ulcers of the lungs, and in confirmed obstructions attended with fever, the use of these waters is improper. It is also a ne- cessary caution, that costiveness should be avoided while drinking them. Patients ought to begin by drinking a small quantity of these waters every morning, and gradually increase the dose. A temperate diet, and gentle exercise, should always be observed while taking them. If the water should prove too cold, a bottle containing some of it may be placed in warm W'ater just before drinking. Acids, tea, and other things w'hich decompose those waters, should not be taken for some time before or after drinking them. Besides iron, these Waters Usually contain sea-salt, natron, a purging salt, and other substances. CHALYBEATE PURRING WATERS. Chalybeate Purging Waters eontain a greater propor- tion of purging-salt than of any other solid matter, and therefore when taken in sufficient quantity, or that of se- veral pints, they operate bv stool. They have this ad- vantage over other purges, that they do not exhaust the strength. If taken in less quantity, as alteratives, they operate chiefly by urine. The principal of this class are SULPHUREOUS WATERS. Sulphureous Waters, though so named, do not contain an actual sulphur, but are impregnated with a gas, or subtle spirit, which gives them their sulphureous smell. Besides this, they usually contain either natron, sea-salt, a purging salt, iron, earth, or other matter, and com- monly several of these in different proportions. Waters of this sort are diuretic, and strongly diapho- retic, sand are therefore good in cutaneous diseases, used both internally and externally. They are also good in chronic obstructions, and in disorders proceeding from x x
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