Chftnical Examination- of the. Bath IVaiers- 433 



tation of tlie adcUiion of more acetate of barytas. Six frrains of oxalic acid produced, 

 when added to this filtered liquor, fifteen grains of precipitate. The folution of car- 

 bonate of ammonia produced a very {light precipitation inthe remaining liquor. 



The King's Bath waters, after they are cooled, appeared to be precifely of the fame 

 weight as the water which is ufed in this city for ordinary purpofcs. Although the Bath 

 waters, when cold, appear to differ but little from common hard waters, yet at their 

 fource they are accompanied with fome very powerful agents. Their high temperature 

 gives to the iron they contain an. extraordinary degree of aftivity. I have obferved 

 in a great variety of cafes, that thefe waters produce very tonic efFeffs, when large dofes 

 of the different preparations of fteel have failed. ■ 



There is a prodigious quantity of aeriform fluid continually evolved from thefe 

 fprings, which rifes in large bubbles, and is diflipated in the furrounding atmofphere. 

 Having collefted a large quantity of this gas, I fubjefted it to the following experi- 

 ments. A meafure of this gas was added to a meafure of nitrous gas, and a very trifling 

 abforption took place, I mixed a larger quantity of it, with nitrous gas, and a very 

 trifling difcoloration took place. The fame quantity of atmofpheric air, and the fame 

 nitrous gas, were united together, and very red fumes immediately appeared. Into a 

 veffcl full of this air I poured fome frcfli lime water; on agitation the lime water be- 

 came very turbid, arid of a milk-white colour. A fmall portion of this air wasabforbed 

 by water. . On mixing it with atmofpheric air, and expofing it to the flame of a taper, 

 there was not the flighteff detonation. A burning body was inftantly extinguiflied whea 

 placed in this air. 



From the foregoing experiments I am led to believe that the Bath waters contain 

 fome very aftive principles. Befides their heat, which moft affuredly increafes the aftion 

 of their other component parts, we find that they lower the purity of the air, by the 

 quantity of azotic gas which is continually poured forth into the atmofphere over tlie 

 baths. Large quantities of this air mufl be infpired by thofe who ufe the open bath, 

 and as we know that an alteration in the proportions of the component parts of -atmof- 

 pheric air will produce evident effefts on the human con/lltution, this circUmflance 

 may, I think, with propriety be pointed out as a fource of medical inquiry. I have 

 been informed by a very learned and fcientific perfon, that filiceous earth has been found 

 to produce, when diffolved in water, fome very confiderable effefts on the animal 

 economy. As my experiments lead me to believe, that this earth forms a large propor- 

 tion of the folid contents of thefe waters, as it appears to be very minutely divided, and 

 as the high temperature may give it aftivity, I think this circumftance alfo may be re- 

 garded as worthy the attention of m,edica' praftitioners. I could mention a great v4l 

 rjety of inlfances where the Bath waters have produced great effefls indifeafe; but as 

 tfiis is not intended as a medical communication, I mufl content myfelf with obferving. 



Vol. Ill, — January 1800. 3N .that 



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