ORIGIN AND NATURE OF SPRINGS. 17 



the saline or solid constituents of a pint of almost 

 any of the aperient spring- waters are isolated, and 

 taken in a dry state, they seldom produce any 

 action upon the bowels ; but if they are redissolved 

 and drank, laxative effects follow. This would 

 seem to prove that a combination of water and salts 

 is needful ; but when it is found by further exper- 

 iment that the water produces intestinal motion 

 without the salts, aiew view presents itself. 



It is quite evident that the benefits received by 

 invalids at mineral springs cannot be attributed 

 solely to any unusual condition of the waters, but 

 in a great degree to the liquid itself, taken medici- 

 nally, or at unusuafhours an in unusual quantities. 

 It must, however, be conceded that a change of 

 air, habits, society, etc., has much to do in the 

 work of restoration ; and- therefore, although the 

 water employed for domestic purposes at home *nay 

 be equally efficacious, a resort to springs should not 

 be discouraged, especially among those whose pecu- 

 niary means are ample. The proofs which science 

 affords that the physical and chemical character of 

 waters famous for their medicinal virtues differs in 

 no essential particular from those in ordinary use in 

 families, certainly favors the view that, having re- 

 gard to temperature, quantity, and time of employ- 

 ment, the home waters may be used medicinally 

 for the relief pf a large class of affections. 

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