BATHS, Metalline, those made of water impregnated with the scoria of metals. The most common and useful of this kind are those prepared with the scoria of iron, which abound with the earthy, saline, and sulphureous substance of the metal; and these are of excellent service for strengthening and bracing up the part to which they are applied, and recovering weak and decayed limbs; stopping various kinds of bleeding; and restoring the menstrual and hemorrhoidal flux where obstructed; inasmuch, that they may well be substituted for the natural iron baths.
Adjacent to the smelting huts where metals are run from their ore, are to be found large quantities of the slag of copper, antimony, and cobalt, which abounding with sulphur, vitriolic salt, and an earthy principle, make serviceable baths for strengthening the lost tone of the fibres, and relaxing them when they are too stiff. These baths have likewise a deterfiv and cleansing virtue; so that with prudence, and due regard to circumstances, they may be used on many occasions. The way of making these artificial baths is, either to take the slags as they come hot from the furnace, or else to heat them afresh, and throw them into hot water; which is afterwards to be used either in the way of bath, or fomentation, occasionally. There are other artificial baths, prepared of alum and quicklime, by boiling them together in fine rain-water. Such baths are highly serviceable in paralytic disorders and weaknesses of the limbs.
The pepper bath, or pepper waffer, on the Alps, is one of the most celebrated in Europe, and has been the subject of particular treatises, besides what has been said of it occasionally by Scheuchzer and others. It was first discovered in the year 1240, and is of the periodical kind. The water breaks forth in a dreadful place, scarce accessible to the sunbeams, or indeed to men, unless of the greatest boldness, and such as are not in the least subject to dizziness. These baths have this singularity above all others, that they commonly break forth in May, and that with a sort of impetuosity, bringing with them beech leaves, crabs or other wood-fruit; and that their course desists in September or October. Scheuchzer professes himself of opinion, that these waters are not impregnated with any minerals, or, if they do contain any, that their virtues in curing distempers and preserving health do not proceed from them. They are exceedingly clear, destitute of colour, taste, or smell.