78 HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS. 



SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS OF ANALYSIS. 



On looking over the results of analysis of the various hot springs 

 it will be seen that the total mineral matter in solution is very nearly 

 the same in all except springs 12, 20, 27, and 43. Spring 12 is nearly 

 cold, and contains only 170.1 parts of mineral matter per million; 

 spring 20 contains only 231 parts of mineral matter per million; 

 spring 27 only 258.7 parts of mineral matter per million, while spring 

 13 contains the relatively large amount of 310 parts of mineral matter 

 per million. The average amount in all the springs is between 275 

 and 280 parts per million; seldom falling below 270 parts per million 

 or going above 290 parts per million. 



As to the percentage composition of the mineral matter in each hot 

 spring the results are very much the same, except in springs 12, 27, 37, 

 11, and 13. Spring 12 has a higher percentage of silica and sulphuric 

 acid than the average, and a lower percentage of bicarbonic acid and 

 calcium; spring 27, a higher percentage of silica and a lower percent- 

 age of bicarbonic acid and calcium; springs 37 and 11, a higher per- 

 centage of sulphuric acid; and spring 13 a lower percentage of silica, 

 bicarbonic acid, and magnesium, and a much higher percentage of 

 sulphuric acid, potassium, and sodium. Although the springs men- 

 tioned above vary to some extent from the other springs in the amount 

 and composition of their mineral matter contained in solution, this 

 variation is not enough, in the author's opinion, to make any differ- 

 ence in their medicinal value except in the cases of springs 12 and 13, 

 the first of which is markedly weaker in medicinal constituents than 

 the other springs, and the second of which has much more of those salts 

 present which have a laxative effect. 



From what has already been said, combined with the analyses of 

 these waters, it will at once be seen why they have been used with such 

 excellent results in the treatment of rheumatism, gout, syphilis, etc. 

 We may sum up under four heads: 



(1) The waters are hot, and consequently possess the medicinal value 

 of all thermal waters, i. e., when used as a bath, in the ordinary man- 

 ner followed in such cases, they stimulate the flow of sweat and urine, 

 and thus give the system a thorough washing out each da}^. In this 

 manner uric acid and syphilitic poisons are removed from the body. 

 Mercury and other metallic poisons are also removed, in consequence 

 of which much larger doses of mercury can be given to the patient 

 than would otherwise be possible. 



(2) These waters contain iodides and bromides, a which, although 

 present only in traces, undoubtedly have a marked alterative effect on 

 the system, and form soluble compounds with the salts of mercury, 

 thus aiding in their elimination from the S}~stern. 



(3) The presence of lithium in these waters, even though in traces, 

 very likely accounts, to some extent, for the removal of some of the 

 uric acid from the system, and the consequent improvement in the 

 condition of rheumatic and gouty persons. 



(4) All of these springs contain quite large amounts of calcium and 

 magnesium bicarbonates. The calcium and magnesium salts of uric 

 acid are much more soluble than the uric acid itself. Taking these 

 two facts into consideration, it seems plausible to assume that a great 

 deal of the curative effects of these waters is due to the formation of 

 the more soluble compounds, calcium and magnesium urate, which can 

 more easily be eliminated from the system than the uric acid itself. 



a See Mineral Waters of the United States, by J. K. Crook, p. 42. 





