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NATURE 
[AuGusT 31, 1899 
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lhas the effect of increasing the amount of urea eliminated, 
and the excretion of uric acid is markedly augmented, 
which fact, viewed in conjunction with the diminished 
production of uric acid resulting from administration of 
the old sulphur water, explains the happy results obtained 
in the treatment of gout by the use of this water and 
bath, the one diminishing the production of the materies 
morbi, the other facilitating its elimination. 
In answer to the question first propounded, it would 
appear then that modern research has not only 
abundantly justified pre-existing views as to the value 
of spa treatment, and has to a large extent provided 
sound reasons for them, but has also considerably 
extended its sphere of usefulness, and has uplifted the 
methods from the dead-level of empiricism to the more 
exalted domain of rational and scientific therapeutics. 
The foregoing remarks suffice to show that the home 
watering places have of late years advanced with the 
times, and are able to claim equal recognition with the 
best known continental resorts. The variety of the 
waters to be found at the different health resorts of this 
country is such as to cover almost all requirements, and 
there are few cases indeed which it is really necessary to 
send abroad. In the matter of baths, also, almost every 
known balneo-therapeutic procedure is obtainable in 
Great Britain, and the methods of administration are as 
carefully supervised and as efficiently carried out as else- 
where. The one element in which we are unable to 
compete with our rivals abroad is in the matter of climate, 
for we cannot ensure the same protracted periods of sun- 
shine that many of them enjoy. Nevertheless, the weather 
experienced during the season at the home resorts is not 
necessarily incompatible with a successful “ cure,” and is 
indeed preferred by many, by reason of its bracing 
qualities, to the hot and relaxing climates of some of the 
continental spas. 
In estimating the value of spa treatment other factors 
besides the administration of waters and baths must be 
taken into consideration ; such, for instance, as change of 
air, rest, freedom from business anxieties or household 
cares, regular habits of living—early rising, simple 
moderate diet, and so forth—all of which play their part 
in achieving the end in view. Therein lies the superi- 
ority of spa treatment over ordinary medicinal means in 
suitable cases, mainly of chronic ailments, and the im- 
possibility of fulfilling these necessary conditions renders 
futile the attempt to follow out similar lines at the patient’s 
own home. Indeed, by many the major influence is 
attributed to these factors rather than to baths and waters, 
and in some cases this may be true. But, while recog- 
nising fully their importance, the foregoing rough indica- 
tion of some of the modes in which waters and baths have 
been proved to act suffices to show that to these the 
predominant influence must be assigned. 
WILFRID EDGECOMBE. 
THE DOVER MEETING OF THE BRITISH 
ASSOCIATION. 
{ NTENDING visitors to the Dover meeting should 
note that this year the chief railway companies afford 
additional facilities to members of the Association. They 
offer a return ticket at a fare and a quarter, issued from 
September 12 to 20, available for return till September 
27. Those who wish to avail themselves of this privilege 
must obtain from the Secretary a signed cirtificate, which 
must be given up to the booking clerk when the ticket is 
purchased. The following railway companies have 
entered into this arrangement :—The Caledonian, Great 
Eastern, Great Central, Great Northern, Great Western, 
London, Brighton and South Coast, London and North 
Western, London and South Western, Midland, North 
British, South Eastern and Chatham and Dover. 
NO. U5R7 OIRO] 
The 
usual arrangement for places within fifty miles of the 
place of meeting still holds good, in virtue of which a 
return ticket at a single fare may be obtained at Dover 
on production of membership tickets. These tickets 
ae available for return on the same or the following 
ay. 
The local programme is now in the press. It may, 
however, be useful to recapitulate the items of general 
interest which will appear in the programme. 
SECTIONAL MEETING Rooms. 
ge spematical and Physical Science—School of Art, second 
oor. 
B—Chemistry—School of Art, first floor. 
C—Geology—College Gymnasium. 
D-—Zoology—School of Art, second floor. 
E—Geography—Apollonian Hall. 
F—Economic Science and Statistics—Co-operative Rooms. 
G—Mechanical Science—School of Art, ground floor. 
H—Anthropology—Rifle Volunteer Hall. 
I—Physiology—Chemical Lecture Room, School of Art. 
K—Botany—Union Hall. 
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS AND EVENING LECTURES, 
These will be delivered in the Town Hall. 
President's Address.—On Wednesday, September 13, the 
first general meeting will be held at 8 p.m., when Sir Michael 
Foster, K.C.B., Sec.R.S., will assume the presidency and 
deliver an address. 
First Evening Lecture.—On Friday, September 15, at 8.30 
p-m., by Prof. Charles Richet, of Paris. Subject: ‘‘ La Vibra- 
tion Nerveuse.” 
Second Evening Lecture.—On Monday, September 18, at 
8.30 p.m., by Prof. Fleming, F.R.S. Subject: ‘ The 
Centenary of the Electric Current.” 
ENTERTAINMENTS AND GARDEN PARTIES, 
Thursday, September 14.—The Chairman of the College 
Council, Dr. E. F. Astley, the Headmaster and Masters of 
Dover College, invite members, associates, and holders of ladies’ 
tickets to a garden party in the College Close, from 3.30 to 6 p.m. 
The Mayor, Councillor Sir W. H. Crundall, J.P., and the 
Mayoress, Lady Crundall, invite members, associates, and 
holders of ladies’ tickets to a conversazione at the Town Hall, 
from 8.30 to 11.30 p.m. 
Friday, September 15.—Lord George Hamilton, Captain of 
Deal Castle, invites two hundred members, associates, and 
holders of ladies’ tickets to visit the Castle, from 3.30 to 6 p.m. 
A smoking concert in honour of the President, Sir Michael 
Foster, F.R.S., will be given by the Local Committee in the 
Apollonian Hall, Snargate Street, commencing at 10 p.m. A 
selection of music will be performed by the band of the Royal 
Artillery from Woolwich, by special permission. 
Saturday, September 16.—A grand military tattoo will take 
place on the sea front, opposite Waterloo Crescent, at 9.30. A 
space will be reserved for members, &c. Admittance on pre- 
sentation of Association ticket. 
Monday, September 18.—The Mayor and Lady Crundall 
invite members, associates, and holders of ladies’ tickets to an 
“fat home” at the Connaught Park, from 4 to 6.30 p.m. 
Tuesday, September 19.—On Tuesday afternoon, September 
19, a motor-car exhibition will be opened at the Dover Athletic 
Grounds by the Mayor. 
Lord Northbourne invites 200 members, associates and 
holders of ladies’ tickets to visit Betteshanger Park, from 4 to 
6p.m. Light refreshments will be offered. 
Lord George Hamilton, Captain of Deal Castle, invites 200 
members, associates and holders of ladies’ tickets to visit the 
Castle, from 3.30 to 6 p.m. 
The Local Committee invite members, associates and holders 
of ladies’ tickets to a garden féte in the Granville Gardens, 
from 9.30 to 11.30 p.m. The band of the Royal Engineers, 
from Chatham, will, by special permission, perform a selection 
of music during the evening. 
THE MUSEUM. 
The Dover Museum, in the Market Square, is well worth 
visit, as it contains a large number of objects interesting both to 
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