SPRINGS. 43T 



salutary in all cases of debility, in rheumatism of the 

 chronic kind, in bilious and febrile liabits, in an in- 

 cipient consumption, where ulcers are not formed 

 in the lungs (for they are highly tonic and stimu- 

 lant), in all complaints of the urinary organs, and in 

 ulcers.*' I 



The Rev. Dr. Madison says, *^ they have little or 

 no smell, do not form an incrustation, nor do they 

 leave a deposit upon standing many hours. Upon 

 bathing in the morning, the skin has a soapy kind 

 of feel, an effect not observed in the evening." 



Dr. Rouelle says, " all the different substances 

 composing the soil, are an indication to the natura- 

 list, that he is in a country formerly altered by great 

 revolutions." The nature and composition of the 

 earth and stones, fossils, &c. prove that this part 

 of the mountain, is older thail any of the adjacent 

 ones. Dr. Rouelle's analysis afforded epsom salt, 

 or sulphate of magnesia, and some marine salt, and 

 a very small quantity of iron. 



Red Sfiring This rises in Botetourt county, 



within a mile of the sweet springs. 



Dr. Rouelle informs us, " that this spring comes 

 out of a kind of argilloso calcareous rock ; spreading 

 from the mountain down the valley, which produces 

 acidulous waters in many places. 



The water going through all these interstices, con- 

 taining aerial acid, carries along parcels of the iron, 

 which precipitates as soon as it comes in contact 

 with the atmosphere, when another part of it re- 

 mains in the water in solid combination with the acid. 

 The superfluous iron settles upon any surrounding 

 bodies, gives out its native colour, of a fine red crocus* 



