Accou nt of the Nat ural Fire Temples of the Guebres. 25 
the spring, the naphtha finds some other opening. Springs which 
have not been long opened, have an embouchure from 8 to 10 feet 
in diameter. 
The naphtha flows from these springs into reservoirs by means 
of small cuts, and when one reservoir is full, another cut con- 
ducts it into another reservoir. In the first reservoir are left 
the water and the grosser parts which accompany the naphtha 
from the spring. This coarser matter, which has a strong and 
penetrating odour, is used for fuel only by the poorest classes of 
the Persians and other neighbouring nations. It is principally 
employed as a substitute for oil, or for making the fire-balls al- 
ready mentioned. It is necessary, however, to preserve it in 
close vessels, as conflagrations often happen from its susceptibi- 
lity of taking fire by the approach of a flame. 
The whitest and the purest naphtha is obtained principally from 
the Peninsula of Apcheron. It is more fluid and more volatile 
than any other kind, but it is obtained only in small quantities. 
The Russians drink it as a cordial, but it never intoxicates 
them. When taken internally, it is thought to be useful in 
cases of the stone, in pains in the head and chest, and in vene- 
real affections and blennorrhagia * maladies to which the Per- 
sians and Russians are very much subject. The latter are said 
to drink the volatile oil of turpentine in the same manner, and 
in as great quantities. 
Naphtha is also used externally for scorbutic spots, and in cases 
of gout, bruises, sprains of the tendons, and nervous spasms. 
Care, however, is taken to apply it only on the places affected, 
as, from its extreme subtlety, it is easily absorbed by the lympha- 
tics, and, by impregnating the system, it may occasion the seve- 
rest pains. It is necessary also to keep off any ignited body, 
lest the person rubbed with naphtha should take fire. 
Naphtha is also employed in the same manner as alcohol, for 
removing spots of grease from woollen and other stuffs, but it is 
difficult to destroy the disagreeable smell which it occasions. 
It is also said to form a very brilliant and durable varnish, by 
dissolving in it resinous bodies. 
Near the naphtha springs are springs of warm water, which 
boils like that which flows along with the naphtha. Baths are 
farmed with these, waters, after they are clarified from the bin- 
