322 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



than in European; and there seems to be no evidence among 

 athletes or race-horses that bodily vigor is not equal here, to say 

 the least, to anything across the water. But there is a difference 

 in meteorological conditions, and this difference may be very 

 effectually used to invigorate and improve the metabolism in a 

 large number of cases if we keep this object steadily in mind and 

 manage toward the accomplishment of this end. There is not 

 only the mental relaxation not possible here in the midst of ordi- 

 nary pursuits, but the change of climatic conditions, though not 

 so great as a change to tropical lands, is still considerable quite 

 enough, when properly utilized, in connection with mental and 

 bodily rest, change of food and cooking, change of many habits, 

 and the gentle but quite positive mental tonic of new scenes and 

 new interests. With some important exceptions to be presently 

 noticed, I do not think it makes very much difference where our 

 American tired- out or half invalids go, provided they actually 

 get rest and always keep comfortable. Of course, I do not include 

 those thousands who are always on the rush, "doing" Europe. 

 Among other influences there is no doubt, in my mind, of the 

 great therapeutic value in many cases of well-regulated courses 

 of mineral waters, when the cases and the waters are carefully 

 selected and as carefully directed to the peculiarities of each case. 

 Nothing could be more reprehensible, from the therapeutic point 

 of view, than for an American family to turn itself loose in Carls- 

 bad, for instance, and drink haphazard of these powerful waters 

 powerful for harm as well as for good without the advice of a 

 competent physician, experienced in their use and effects, as I 

 have been told our brethren sometimes do. My experience with 

 physicians at some half dozen European spas has been very satis- 

 factory, and leads me to believe that the local doctors are gen- 

 erally capable, honest men, and that their advice ought to be 

 generally sought and followed with confidence in the use of the 

 waters. But we, on this side, ought to be able to give clear 

 advice, if not as to the particular mineral spring, at least as to 

 the general character of the waters to be sought ; and especially 

 it is always important to urge our countrymen not to overdo the 

 matter. I am speaking more especially of that vast horde of 

 tired-out health- seekers who annually cross the Atlantic and for 

 whom there can be no better therapy than judicious change of 

 climate, including mineral waters for a certain number as an 

 added and potent alterative. Taking Carlsbad as perhaps the 

 representative spa of the Continent, I am of the opinion that 

 there are few middle-aged or elderly persons who are not decided- 

 ly the better for having their capillaries physicked and their 

 emunctories cleaned out once in a while by a course of Carls- 

 bad water sufficient for that purpose ; and it is astonishing what 



