338 JOHN BARTRAM TO [1745. 



Indians on most of them. But when our people take them, not 

 considering age, constitution, season, nor the particular progress, 

 or crisis, of the distemper, but expect an immediate cure upon the 

 first or second dose, they are sometimes disappointed. Then it 

 is directly discarded and thrown out of use (especially if the 

 patient grows worse after taking it), and another famous specific 

 gains applause for awhile, then is subject to the other's fate, and 

 another taken into favour. 



We have several springs in our province, on which many people 

 have bestowed a large income ; but many of them being impreg- 

 nated with iron, and not agreeing with all constitutions, so as to 

 perfect a cure, they are of late neglected. One of them, I believe, 

 might be of great use to mankind under proper regulations. It is 

 a large spring, almost big enough to turn a mill, very cold, clear 

 where it springs up, but where it runs away there is a great quan- 

 tity of reddish, or orange-coloured curdled matter, mixed with the 

 current. We have other springs partaking of vitriol, and, amongst 

 the mountains, some of alum ; and some places, black, foetid, sul- 

 phureous springs. 



December the 7th, 1745. 



Dear Friexd Doctor Fothergill : 



I received thy letter, and a box of vials, and book of L Spa, 



which I am obliged to thee for. I sent to thee by Captain Lisle, 

 a box of Sassafras flowers, and other odd things, which I hope 

 Peter Collixson will give thee, if they come safe to his hands. 



Doctor Witt tells me he got a good quantity of the expressed 

 oil of the berries, drawn at the common oil-mill, and that it makes 

 the best minium plaster of all. * * * 



I have not yet made much observation on our mineral waters, 

 for want of time to examine them, being hurried in the fall, to 

 procure forest seeds for my correspondents ; and indeed, if I 

 should make diligent and proper observations on all our mineral 

 waters, it would take up most of my time, or, I am sure, more than 

 I can spare, beside serving my benefactors in Europe, and my 

 plantation at home ; and still worse, because most of the trials 

 must be made at great distances from home. * * I 



like very well to serve my country, but as I have nine children 



