Observations on the mineral waters in the south western part of Virginia : in a series of letters / By a physician of Philadelphia [William E. Horner].

William Edmonds Horner

Date:: 1834

Credit: Observations on the mineral waters in the south western part of Virginia : in a series of letters / By a physician of Philadelphia [William E. Horner]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$appeared upon a cursory examination to conist of alumine and silex. 44 Besides these insoluble matters the water contains carbonate of lime (which must have been held in solution by the excess of carbonic acid,) sulphate of magnesia and iron. I was unable to detect any other substances in solution. The quantities of car¬ bonate of lime and sulphate of magnesia considered in relation to each other appeared to be in the ratio of 2 carbonate lime to I sulph. magnesia. The quantity of iron is small, but sufficient to strike a very deep blue with the prussiate of potash.” The medicinal agency of the bath is however what would recommend it chiefly to the valetudinarian or patient, and its effects may be improved by the use of the water of the spring adjoining, to which I have alluded, as having common properties with it, and upon the water of which for greater convenience the principal part of the foregoing experiments was performed. Its temperature, the sulphuretted hydrogen gas, in a small quantity probably, dissolved in the water, and the carbonic acid gas seem to be the main elements which characterize it. The effect of the bath if one remains perfectly quiescent is to reduce the frequency of the pulse, but to increase its volume; the former it does about two strokes in the minute; it afterwards stimulates the heart and arteries so that there are one hundred voluminous pulsations in the minute, and especially if you take exercise, or go in after dinner. It acts strongly on the kidneys. Some difficulty of breathing and oppression of the breast are found from being immersed in it, and a slight fulness of the head; but the former effects do not seem greater than what would be occa¬ sioned by immersion of the chest in any bath, which of course im¬ pedes respiration from a dense medium pressing on the thorax and thereby resisting its dilatation. This bath disposes to haemorrhage from the viscera of the abdomen and pelvis; hence it should be used very cautiously by persons of either sex having this tendency. In cases of reducible rupture it causes the intestines to ascend, this is a common observation of the keeper, and verified by the testimony of gentlemen of intelligence who are well acquainted with the fact. It may be accounted for by the intestines being made to float higher in the abdomen, in consequence of the gas they contain, and their upward pressure against the diaphragm will also assist in accounting for the embarrassment of breathing which is commonly felt. To medical readers may not this afford a hint for using an erect column of warm water, as a bath, and of a depth proportionate to the height of the patient, in strangu¬ lated hernia? I have but little doubt that this bath, if assisted by the drink¬ ing of the water of the contiguous spring, and taken under regu¬ lated circumstances, would be a most powerful agent in dropsi- \$