Volume 1

Essay on the natural history, origin, composition and medicinal effects, of mineral and thermal springs / [Meredith Gairdner].

  • Gairdner, Meredith, -1837.
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Essay on the natural history, origin, composition and medicinal effects, of mineral and thermal springs / [Meredith Gairdner]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    20/440 (page 4)
    light, heat, and material substances,—all agents inces- santly at work in changing its original purity. Variety of temperature, no less than of position and composition, is another striking feature in this class of bodies ; in this, no less than the others, do they pass by insensible gra- dations into each other, and into other atmospheric and terrestrial waters. What a contrast. between the icy streams which start from the crystal vaults of the gla- ciers of Switzerland’, and the boiling geysers of Iceland ! A still greater difference appears, when we consider the different circumstances of their origin; in some being immediately influenced by ‘the changes of the atmo- sphere in respect to temperature, moisture, dryness, &c.; while others seem to be nearly, if not altogether, inde- pendent of this agent, and evince in many circumstances of their position, and the changes which they experience, an intimate connection with phenomena going on at great depths in the interior of the earth. Conformably to these views, it is my purpose in this essay to consider mineral waters generally, and thermal springs in particular, in their relations to the general cosmical system, as forming one link of that immense chain of atmospheric and terrestrial waters which exer- cise such an important influence in moulding the exter- nal form and intimate composition of this globe which we inhabit, and which is the source of all organic life and activity. In order that all the branches of a field so extensive may each preserve their appropriate place and importance, I propose considering the subject under the threefold aspect of their composition, their position, and their origin, each of which will separate itself into several subordinate divisions, to which | shall add a few remarks on their medicinal virtues. 1 T need not recall to the recollection of the reader the singular purity of the alpine streams of Switzerland, near their sources in the glaciers, which was long ago remarked by Haller in the preface to his Historia stirpium indigenarum Helvetie: ‘* Nusquam,” says he, ** liquidas illas aquas et crystalli simillimas, se mihi obtulisse me- mini postquam ex Helvetiz excessi ; ex scopulis enim nostre puros silices percolate nulla terra vitiantur.”