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LXII. Analysis of the Hot Springs at Bath. By Mr. 

 Richard Phillips^ Member of the Askesian and of the 

 British Mineralngical Societies'*. 



J. HE nature of the country round Bath, and other local 

 circumstancesj have been so fully described by those who 

 have given chemical examinations of the waters of the hot 

 springs at that place, that any further description appears 

 unnecessary. 



As to the cause of the heat of these springs, we have so 

 few data from which to reason, that I shall not offer even a 

 conjecture on the subject. 



These waters have been frequently analysed. They have 

 merited the attention they have received, not only from their 

 early and extensive employment in the cure of diseases, but 

 also on account of some peculiar changes to which they are 

 subject. Of these the explanations have been so various as 

 to show that they require slill further examination. 



Of the sensible properties exhibited by these waters the 

 most remarkable is their high temperature, the degree of 

 which varies considerably at their different sources. At the 

 hot bath it is 117°; at the king's bath 114°; and at the 

 cross bath 109''. This statement does not exactly agree 

 with what has been usually given, as their temperature. 

 These results were obtained by pumping the water upon the 

 bulb of a thermometer till the mercury ceased to rise. Their 

 taste is metallic, but not strongly or disagreeably so; this 

 has not been universally allo\\ed : but if they are drunk hot, 

 this impression is readily distinguishable. 



Their specific gravity is 1-002 at each of the springs ; and 

 as the effects produced bv chemical tests are also perfectly 

 similar, they may be considered as derived from one source, 

 the temperature varying by their more or less circuitous pas- 

 sage to the surface. For the purpose of analysis the water 

 of the king's bath has been usually employed; and, although 

 it does not appear to be a matter of much importance, I 

 have followed the usual practice. 



* From the unpublished Transactions of the Askesian Society. 



Before 



