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HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. 29 



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fornia in large amounts. Borax has been used internally to dissolve 

 lithic acid gravel. It promotes the menstrual flow, so may be used in 

 catamenial irregularities. Applied as a douche in catarrhal conditions 

 of the uterus it is of value. 



Nitrates. — Any nitric acid that may appear in a water is usually 

 reported as sodium nitrate. This compound does not usually occur in 

 waters to a marked extent unless they are contaminated. When pres- 

 ent in large enough amounts it increases the flow of urine and acts as a 

 purgative. 



Silica. — Silica appears in mineral waters both as free silica and as 

 silicates. The medicinal value of silica has not been thoroughly inves- 

 tigated, although one or two investigations have been made which seem 

 to show that it is of value when taken for cancer, and that sugar and 

 albumin have disappearel from the urine upon using it. 



The gases that usually occur in water are nitrogen, oxygen, carbon 

 dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide. 



Nitrogen and oxygen are present in all waters that have come in 

 contact with the air. On account of the limited solubility of both they 

 can not occur in waters in very large quantities. Neither of them 

 when present in waters has any medicinal value. 



Carbon dioxide is present in all natural waters to some extent, but 

 in some springs the amount is very large, thus giving rise to that large 

 class of carbonated waters of which the Saratoga springs furnish a 

 good example. Such waters are extremely palatable, and large quan- 

 tities can be drunk without the full feeling which so often follows 

 copious drinking of w ater. In moderate quantities such waters increase 

 the flow of the saliva, promote digestion, and tend to increase the flow 

 of urine. Obstinate cases of nausea can be often relieved by the use 

 of small quantities of highly carbonated waters. 



Hydrogen sulphide is present in man3 r natural waters, giving to 

 them the odor of decayed eggs, and forming that large class, the sul- 

 phuretted waters. When such waters are taken internally they act as 

 an alterative, and are consequently of value in the treatment of syphil- 

 itic diseases. They increase the activity of the intestines, kidneys, and 

 sweat glands, so are of use in the treatment of rheumatism and gout. 

 Excellent results have been obtained when these waters were used in 

 treating many skin diseases and malaria. 



THE MEDICAL VALUE OF THERMAL WATERS. 



The curative effects of thermal waters are undoubtedly due, to a 

 large extent, to their stimulating effects on the excretory organs of the 

 skin and the kidneys. To fully understand this we have only to 

 examine the routine through which a patient passes at these thermal 

 resorts. The pores are first thoroughly opened and sweating begun 

 by immersing the patient in hot water for from three to ten minutes. 

 The patient is then placed in the steaming room for about five minutes 

 and at the same time drinks copiously of hot water. This treatment, 

 of course, produces a profuse perspiration. After this the patient is 

 wrapped in blankets and passed on to a warm room for twenty to thirty 

 minutes, where the perspiration runs off in streams. After this the 

 patient is rubbed down and allowed to dress. A desire to urinate soon 

 comes. Thus we see that the system is thoroughly flooded with water 

 and washed out each day, and that tissue changes take place with won- 



