534 THE MEDICINAL SPRINGS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



It forms a shallow pond of about 50 feet across, of the most trans- 

 parent water, in the middle of which several strong springs bubble up 

 through -a bottom of loose white sand, and afterwards, llowing in a very 

 copious stream, liecome a rivulet, which, for at- least a nnle and a half, 

 continues so hot that the course along the valley may. at any time of the 

 day, but more particularly in the eariy morning, be traced In' the steam 

 which perpetually arises from it. The pond is sheltered by a clump of 

 white poplars, which thrive perfectly well, although growing at the very 

 edge of the water, and bedewed with tlie h(.t steam, which ascends to 

 their highest branches. 



Other early travellers give enthusiastic and detailed accounts 

 of the curative powers of the Brandvlei waters.* As Gum- 

 precht's description dates back nearly 70 years, it has little more 

 than historic interest. The spring seems to have fallen into, 

 discredit in the course of time. It has now only a local repittation 

 as a cure for rheumatism, and the primitive bath-house that once 

 stood there has been allowed to fall into ruins. The spring is 

 near to the town of Worcester, C.P. It rises from eastward- 

 di])ping Table Mountain sandstone, gives a daily yield of 365,000 

 gallons, and is believed to be slightly radio-active. Its tempera- 

 ture is 145° F. The only European indifferent thermal springs 

 of higher temperature are those of Plombieres-les-Bains, De- 

 partement Voges, France, with a maxinntm of 74° C. 



2. Cioiidiiii { RtKcsoiiz'illc ) . 



The (joudini spring is about 12 miles distant from Wor- 

 cester. Its temperature is 104° F., and it rises through gravels, 

 probably from Table Mountain sandstone. It is believed to be 

 beneficial in cases of rheumatism and cutaneotts diseases. There 

 is i^rovision for bathing, and the si)ring is said to be ])atronised by 

 a fair number of peo])le. 



3. OUfanis Rk'cr. CIiDra'ilJiaiii. 



These hot baths are situated on a farm (the proi)ertv of the 

 estate of the late Mr. James McGregor) about 45 miles south of 

 Clanwilliam. Rooms are let to visitors by the late Mr. Mc- 

 Gregor's executors, and there are separate bathrooms for the 

 use of white and coloured i)ersons, 1)ut no ])rovision for medical 

 treatment exists. The nearest doctors are resident at Glanwil- 

 liani and I 'i([uetberg. The latter place is distant abottt 36 miles 

 from the baths. The spring rises from eastward-dipping Table 

 Mountain sandstone. It has a temperature of 108-110° F. The 

 existence of the spring is recorded by several of the earl\- 

 travellers, and Thunberg seems to have recognised its freedom 

 from dissolved mineral con.stituents. He reports that it is much 

 like ordinary water, having no unpleasant taste, and l)eing suit- 

 able for drinking, cooking, and washing ])urposes. 



* Gnmprecht, "Die Mineralquellen auf dem Festhnde von Afrika," 



Berlin fiR^TV 



