430 Minerals, Mineral Waters, &;c. 



Extract of a letter from Dr. Dorwin. 



Machiche, ZOth Oct. 1830. 



Dear Sir. — The mineral spring respecting which you are 

 desirous to obtain information is situated in the township of 

 Fredericton, three leagues from Machiche Church, on the 

 bank of the Machiche river, about ten rods from the waters 

 edge. It issues from the earth like boiling water, at the 

 rate of about three or four quarts in a minute, attended by 

 a crackling noise near the surface of the water, caused by 

 the escape of a gas. The result of observations made in a 

 hasty manner, and without any great attention to accuracy, 

 lead me to conclude that the water holds in solution several 

 salts : muriate of soda exists in great abundance and its 

 taste predominates when drank. Carbonate of iron is 

 another ingredient, as is also carbonate of lime in conside- 

 rable quantity, being found deposited as tufa in the bottom 

 of the fountain. The carbonates of magnesia and of soda 

 are also found in the water. The gas evolved is a 

 compound of carbonic acid and carburetted hydrogen, on 

 the last of which depends its inflammability. Its effects when 

 taken are nuich the same as those of the Saratoga waters, 

 viz., cathartic, diuretic, sudorific, and tonic. It is the 

 coldest mineral spring recorded. Fahrenheits thermometer 

 when immersed in it shewing a heat of 45*^ only. 



Mineral springs possessing nearly the same properties as 

 the one now described are found at intervals of some miles 

 between this place and the village of L'Assomption, 



I have the honour to be, &c. 



Lewis Dorwin. 

 J. Morrin, Esq. 



