Photo by W. L,. Huber 
THK DEVII^'S POST PILE;^ SHOWING REGUI.ARITY OF FORM OF COLUMNS 
of the value of the hot waters as reme- 
dial agents. The waters of these springs, 
which are highly radio-active, are ad- 
ministered internally and by immersion 
through the form of baths. 
The attractions of this reservation are 
the great therapeutic value of the water, 
the fine climate, and beautiful country in 
the neighborhood. Overworked business 
and professional men and all who need 
rest and recuperation find here forms of 
recreation that have a powerful influence 
in the restoration of health and strength. 
By the act of April 20, 1832, Congress 
provided that four sections of land ir 
the Territory of Arkansas, including the 
springs, a total of 2,560 acres, should b^ 
reserved from sale or entry in order that 
the waters of the springs might be pre- 
served in perpetuity for the benefit of 
the sick. 
\\nien the State of Arkansas was cre- 
ated the Federal government still retained 
the ownership of the four sections, but 
did not reserve the jurisdiction. By later 
acts the size of the reservation was re- 
duced to 911 acres, the present area. 
All of the springs are on the reserva- 
tion, but there has growni up adjacent to 
it the city of Hot Springs, over which the 
government has no jurisdiction or con- 
trol, and in which the conditions have 
been such that many patients returned 
home dissatisfied. Through the coopera- 
tion of the government, the bath-house 
lessees, and public-spirited citizens, the 
conditions that caused so much adverse 
comment have largely passed away. 
Under the supervision of a medical 
director appointed by the government, 
the sanitary conditions in the bath-houses 
have been materially improved. Some 
of the houses have been extensively re- 
modeled and others have been torn down 
571 
