Miscellanies. 183 



The large quantity of saline ingredients, both cathartic, (or what may 

 become such,) and antacid — the iron, — the great proportion of redun- 

 dant carbonic acid gas, and even the small quantities of iodine and bro- 

 mine, give these waters a rare combination of powers ; — deobstruent, 

 cathartic, diuretic, solvent and tonic, and their important effects on 

 glandular complaints are now satisfactorily explained by the new 

 bodies whose existence has been happily discovered in the waters. 



Their effect is no doubt promoted by air, and exercise, by absti- 

 nence from other drinks especially alcohol, and by the mental excite- 

 ment, and the cheering hope which such visits usually inspire 5 but 

 still the properties of these springs must forever (while the waters 

 flow the same) remain intrinsically important. 



It is not necessary to advert, particularly, to the numerous springs 

 which Dr. Steel has described in this valley of health, but it is 

 proper to say that his cautions as to the use of the waters, are highly 

 judicious and that they should be carefully read by every invalid, 

 before he begins his course of drinking. It is madness to drink these 

 or any other waters, as many people do, unless they had the capacity 

 of the camel of the African desert, and expected, like that animal, 

 to drink only at long intervals. 



Dr. Steel's account of the springs of the sister village of Ballston 

 is candid, which is the more desirable, as some rivalry exists between 

 the two places ; we trust, hovs^ever, that this rivalry will be hereafter 

 only a friendly one ; for both places are sufficiently attractive, on ac- 

 count of the abundance and excellence of their waters; there are vis- 

 itors enough for both, and their enjoyments are increased by the so- 

 ciable calls that are made from the one place to the other. 



The mineral impregnation of the waters, in the two places, is sub- 

 stantially the same, differing only in the proportions. If the saline 

 ingredients are in less quantity at Ballston than at Saratoga, there is a 

 greater predominance of iron, and the carbonic acid gas being abun- 

 dant, very delightful acidulous chalybeate waters are thus afforded. 

 Saratoga and Ballston must be regarded as one grand system of springs, 

 depending upon the same general causes; and the variety that exists 

 between the different springs is altogether desirable, and adds much 

 to their utility. The repeated eruption of new springs, especially at 

 Ballston, (either by accident or in consequence of boring,) is an in- 

 teresting geological circumstance, and the expulsion of the water in 

 copious jets, above the surface of the ground, and boiling with car- 

 bonic acid gas, evinces that there is much power condensed below, 

 and renders it not improbable that the elevating agent is carbonic 



