460 
PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING. 
worth quoting here, as it receives singular confirmation from the practices of the 
negroes of Jamaica in regard to this spring. “ In small doses it promotes the 
secretion of mucus, urine, and perspiration. . . . Under its use glandular and 
other swellings and indurations have become smaller and softer, and ultimately 
disappeared altogether. In larger doses it excites nausea, vomiting, and some¬ 
times purging. ... It has principally been employed in scrofulous affections, 
especially those attended with glandular enlargements. ... It has been found 
most efficacious in the treatment of tuberculous disease of the abdomen, etc., on 
account of its checking purging, diminishing the hectic fever, allaying the inor¬ 
dinate appetite, and, in many cases, ultimately restoring the patient to perfect 
health. It has also been recommended in chronic gouty affections of the joints, in 
bronchocele, . . . and in other cases where the object was to excite the action of 
the absorbents.” According to the same authority, the dose of chloride of 
calcium is from 10 to 40 grains, gradually increased until nausea is produced. 
The amount of the water equivalent to this dose would be from two table¬ 
spoonfuls to half a tumblerful. The effect of the chloride of sodium would also 
be “ alterative and stimulative of the absorbents,” the influence of the chloride 
of ammonium inappreciable. Apparently, therefore, the general physiological 
action of this medicinal spring of Jamaica would, in small doses, somewhat 
resemble the celebrated saline waters of Leamington and Cheltenham in 
England. It may shortly be described as a strongly calcareous and saline 
water. 
In forwarding a report of this analysis to Jamaica, I took occasion to ask the 
proprietors of the estate on which the water is obtained to be good enough to 
send me some further information regarding the history of the spring and topo¬ 
graphy of the neighbourhood. I did so in the belief that the subject would 
prove of geological as well as chemical and physiological interest. In answer, 
the following account was promptly and politely placed at my disposal.— 
Statement respecting the “ Windsor Spring' 1 ' 1 in the Parish of St. Ann , Jamaica; 
its History as far as known , and Topography of the District. 
This spring has been known for many years. Its water was used for medi¬ 
cinal purposes under the direction of the medical attendant who practised on 
Windsor Estate at least forty years ago. It was probably employed long ante¬ 
cedent to that time, though we have no record as to the complaints for which it 
was considered beneficial, or whether, indeed, it was not resorted to for the 
purposes for which saline purgatives are generally put into requisition. 
The cause of its late notoriety is obscure. In November, 1866, before which 
time it was scarcely known-to the general public, or even to persons residing in 
the locality, numbers of the negroes were observed coming to the spring. On 
inquiring as to the cause, no certain information could be obtained further than 
all believed in its virtues and miraculous powers. Hundreds crowded from all 
parts of the island to it day and night; at times, for some weeks, there were 
not less than 300 to 400 people encamped near it. The negroes believe it equal 
to every disorder, but chiefly to those diseases indicated in the Report,— 
chronic pains of the joints, glandular swellings, scrofulous affections, etc. ; and 
the writer can bear witness to some very remarkable cures it has effected. 
The spring makes its appearance in the diluvial gravel that nearly fills the 
bed of a small brook which divides the Drax Hall Estate from Windsor, in the 
parish of St. Ann, on the north side of the island. This brook is known by the 
inhabitants of the parish, and is designated on the maps, as the “ Saint Ann’s 
Great River.” Insignificant in size in dry weather, it forms in rainy seasons 
the outlet to a mountain torrent, which uproots trees, and, at times, spreads far 
and wide over the adjacent lands. In 1865 its force caused it to slightly change 
its direction, and form a new bed for itself. In the previous year the medicinal 
