Mr. West on a new Sulphur Spring at Harrogate. 83 



Indeed, that the truth of this remark is generally felt by the 

 chemist and the physician is obvious, from the pains which 

 have been bestowed upon the improvement of the means for their 

 analysis, as well as the examination of the water of particular 

 springs. That in neither of these respects, however, have we 

 attained the requisite degree of certainty, is evident from the 

 fact that, in comparing two sets of experiments on any mineral 

 water, made by different persons, we find, in all cases, a con- 

 siderable difference in the results. If it be said, that this arises 

 from the water of the same spring being difFerendy impregnated 

 at different times, I reply, that it sufficiently proves our present 

 deficiency, and should stimulate our diligence to observe that 

 we have no means of proving how far this is really the case, 

 or of distinguishing, with certainty, how much of the discre- 

 pancy so obvious between various reports of analyses is owing 

 to real differences in the water, how much to defective formulae, 

 and how much to negligence or mistake in their application. 

 Probably on this, as well as on many other subjects, we have 

 begun to generalize too soon ; theories of the origin of mineral 

 springs, and of their effect in the cure of disease, have been 

 more abundant than the. facts ascertained respecting them would 

 warrant; the stock of careful analyses must be augmented be- 

 fore those theories can be either confirmed, or satisfactorily 

 disproved. 



It is with this view that I am induced to make public the fol- 

 lowing analyses : the results which I obtained in the case which 

 admits of comparison with others, differ materially from their 

 statements ; the account which I have given of the means used 

 will enable the reader to form gome idea of their probable cor- 

 rectness. 



The water of the Old Sulphur Well, at Harrogate, is of un- 

 doubted and extensive efficacy in a variety of complaints : with 

 a view to secure for general benefit the enjoyment of its advan- 

 tages, it is provided, by act of parliament, that the well shall 

 remain unenclosed, and it accordingly remains, covered only by 

 a cupola, open on all sides, and supported by very rude pillars. 

 This, while it secures the intended object of admitting all «ho 

 G 2 



