526 Spa Waters. [Book VI T. 



means of that final! portion of iron, earth, fait, &c. 

 'with which they are impregnated *. 



After all that has been alleged in favour of mineral 

 waters, it muft be confeffed that their medical virtues 

 are at beft rather dubious. With refpect to the me- 

 tallic falts which they may contain, the quantity is t'oo 

 minute to be very efficacious in obftinate complaints -, 

 and the warm baths have probably no other effect 

 than a quantity of common water heated to the fame 

 temperature would have, if applied by means of an 

 artificial bath at home. Where good effects have been 

 wrought upon a patient's referring to a mineral water, 

 phyficians have not always confidered the excellent 

 confequences which in the common courfe of things 

 might be expected from the exercife of the journey, 

 the change of air, and change of fcene ; from cheerful 

 company, and, though laft, not lead, perhaps, from 

 the imagination of the patient. 



* See Elliot, p. 249, &c. 



APPENDIX. 



