MINERAL Waters. All waters naturally impregnated with any heterogeneous matter which they have dissolved within the earth may be called mineral waters, in
Mineral. in the most general and extensive meaning of that name; in which are therefore comprehended almost all those that flow within or upon the surface of the earth, for almost all these contain some earthy or saline matter. But, strictly speaking, those waters only which hold in solution such a quantity of foreign ingredients as to give them properties which are easily recognized by the taste or smell come under the denomination of mineral waters. For the methods of analyzing mineral waters, see Mineral Chemistry Index. Here we shall give a tabular view of the more remarkable mineral waters which have been discovered and examined.
| Names of Springs. | Countries in which they are found. | Contents and Quality of the Water. | Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abcourt, | Near St. Germain in France. | A cold chalybeate water, containing besides the iron a small quantity of fossil alkali saturated with fixed air. | Diuretic and purgative. Internally used in dropsies, jaundice, and obstructions of the viscera; externally in scrofulous eruptions, ulcers, &c. |
| Aberbrothick, | County of Forfar in Scotland. | A cold chalybeate. Contains iron dissolved in fixed air. | Diuretic and corroborative. Used in indigestions, nervous disorders, &c. |
| Aclon, | Middlesex county, England. | Contains Epsom and sea salt. Cold. | Strongly purgative, and causes a soreness in the fundament. |
| Aghaloo, | Tyrone, Ireland. | Sulphur, fossil alkali, and some purging salt. Cold. | Alterative and corroborant. Useful in scrofulous disorders, worms, and cutaneous diseases. |
| Aix-la-Chapelle, | Juliers in Germany. | Sulphureous and hot. Contains aerated calcareous earth, sea salt, fossil alkali, and sulphur. | Diaphoretic, purgative, and diuretic. Used as baths as well as taken internally. Useful in rheumatism, and all diseases proceeding from a debility of the system. |
| Alford or Awford, | Somersetshire, England. | A purging salt along with sea salt. Cold. | Strongly purgative. |
| Akerson, | Yorkshire, in England. | Contains Epsom salt, aerated calcareous earth, and sulphur. Cold. | Diuretic. Useful when drunk in leprosy, and other cutaneous diseases. |
| Antrim, | Ireland. | Similar to Borrowdale water, but weaker. | |
| Baden, | Swabia in Germany. | Hot and sulphureous springs and baths, resembling those of Aix-la-Chapelle. | See AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, and BADEN, in the order of the Alphabet. |
| Bagnigge, | Middlesex, near London. | Epsom salt and muriated magnesia. Cold. Another spring contains iron and fixed air. | Strongly purgative, three half pints being a dose. The chalybeate spring also proves purgative when the bowels contain any vitiated matter. |
| Balimore, | Worcestershire in England. | A fine cold chalybeate, containing iron rendered soluble by fixed air, along with some other salt supposed to be fossil alkali. | Corroborative, and good in obstructions of the viscera. Drank from two to three pints in a morning. |
| Ball, or Baudwell, | Lincolnshire in England. | A cold petrifying water; contains aerated calcareous earth or magnesia. | Corroborative and astringent. Drank to the quantity of two pints, or two and a half. |
| Balaruc, | Languedoc in France. | Hot, and contain some purging salts. | Drank as purgatives, and used as hot baths. Useful in scrofulous and cutaneous disorders. |
| Ballycastle, | Antrim in Ireland. | Chalybeate and sulphureous. Cold. | Resembles that of Balimore in virtue. |
| Ballynahinch, | Down in Ireland. | Iron, fixed air, and sulphur. Cold. | Useful in scrofulous disorders and diseases of indigestion. |
| Ballyspellan, | Near Kilkenny in Ireland. | Iron, fixed air, and probably fossil alkali. | Similar in virtue to that of Balimore. |
| Names of Springs. | Countries in which they are found. | Contents and Quality of the Water. | Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bagneres, | Bigorre in France. | Earth and sulphur. Hot. | The waters used in baths, like those of Aix-la-Chapelle. Some of the springs purgative, others diuretic. |
| Bareger, | Bigorre in France. | Sea salt, fossil alkali, calcareous earth, selenites, sulphur, and a fine bituminous oil. Hot. | Diuretic and diaphoretic. Useful in nervous as well as cutaneous disorders, in old wounds and some venereal complaints. Used as baths, as well as taken internally to the quantity of a quart or three pints. |
| Barnet and North-hall, Bath, | Hertfordshire in England. Somersetshire in England. |
Epsom salt, and aerated calcareous earth. Iron, aerated calcareous earth, selenite, Glauber's salt, and sea salt. Hot. |
Purgative. Powerfully corroborative, and very useful in all kinds of weaknesses. Used as a bath, and taken internally. |
| Bandola, | Italy. | Iron, fixed air, fossil alkali, and a little sulphur.— Cold. | Gently laxative, diuretic, and diaphoretic. |
| Borrowdale, | Cumberland in England. | A great quantity of sea salt, aerated calcareous earth, and some bitter. Cold. | Strongly emetic and cathartic. Sometimes useful in the jaundice and dropsy, scorbutic disorders, and chronic obstructions. Used likewise as a bath in cutaneous diseases. Taken in the dose of a pint, containing only about seven drachms and a half of sea salt; so that a great part of the virtue must reside in the aerated calcareous earth. |
| Brentwood, | Essex in England. | Epsom salt, and aerated calcareous earth. | Purgative. |
| Bristol, | Somersetshire in England. | Calcareous earth, sea salt, Epsom salt, Glauber's salt, and selenites. Hot. | Used as a bath; and drank from four to eight ounces at a time, to two quarts per day. Useful in consumptions, diabetes, fluor albus, &c. |
| Bromley, Broughton, | Kent in England. Yorkshire in England. |
Iron and fixed air. Cold. Sulphur, sea salt, Epsom salt, and aerated earth. Cold. |
Diuretic and corroborative. Similar to Harrowgate. |
| Buxton, | Derbyshire in England. | A small quantity of sea salt, fossil alkali, Epsom salt, and aerated calcareous earth. Hot. Here is also a fine cold chalybeate spring. | Useful in gout, rheumatism, and other disorders in which tepid baths are serviceable. Used as baths, and drank to the quantity of five or six pints per day. |
| Caroline baths, | Bohemia. | Iron, fixed air, aerated earth, sea salt, fossil alkali, Epsom salt, and Glauber's salt. Hot. | Purgative, and used as baths. Of service in disorders of the stomach and bowels, scrofula, &c. |
| Carlton, | Nottinghamshire in England. | Iron dissolved in fixed air, along with a bituminous oil, which gives it the smell of horse dung.— Cold. | Diuretic and corroborative. |
| Carrickfergus, | Antrim in Ireland. | Seems from its bluish colour to contain a very small quantity of copper. Cold. | Weakly purgative. |
| Carrickmore, | Cavan in Ireland. | Fossil alkali, fixed air, and some purging salt. Cold. | Purgative and diuretic. |
| Cashmore, | Waterford in Ireland. | Green vitriol. | Purgative, diuretic, and sometimes emetic. |
| Castle-Connel, | Limerick in Ireland. | Iron dissolved in fixed air, &c. Cold. | Resembles the German Spaw, and is in considerable repute. |
| Castle-Leod, | Ross-shire in Scotland. | Aerated earth, selenites, Glauber's salt, and sulphur. Cold. | Diuretic, diaphoretic, and corroborant; useful in cutaneous diseases. Castlemain, |
| Names of Springs. | Countries in which they are found. | Contents and Quality of the Water. | Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castlemain, | Kerry in Ireland. | Iron, sulphur, and fixed air. Cold. | Corroborant and diuretic. |
| Cawley, | Derbyshire in England. | Epson salt, aerated calcareous earth, and sulphur. Cold. | Gently purgative. |
| Cawthorp, | Lincolnshire in England. | Iron, fixed air, and probably fossil alkali. Cold. | Purgative, and corrects acidities. |
| Chadlington, | Oxfordshire in England. | Fossil alkali, sea salt, and sulphur. Cold. | Purgative. |
| Chaudé Fontaine, | Liege in Germany. | Aerated earth, fossil alkali, and fixed air. Hot. | Resembles those of Aix-la-Chapelle and Buxton. |
| Chesterham, | Gloucestershire in England. | Calcareous earth, iron, Epson salt, and common salt. Cold. | Purgative and corroborant; taken in the quantity of from one to three or four pints. It is useful in cases of indigestion and scorbutic disorders; also in the gravel. |
| Chippenham, | Wiltshire in England. | Iron dissolved in fixed air. | Diuretic and corroborative. |
| Cleves, | Germany. | Iron, fixed air, and other ingredients of Pyrmont water. | Diuretic and corroborant. |
| Clifton, | Oxfordshire in England. | Fossil alkali, and aerated calcareous earth or celestine. Cold. | Gently laxative, and used as a bath for cutaneous disorders. |
| Cobham, | Surry in England. | Iron, and some purging salt. | Purgative, diuretic, and corroborant. |
| Codsalwood, | Staffordshire in England. | Sulphur, fixed air, and aerated earth. | Resembles the Alkeron water. |
| Colchester, | Essex in England. | Epson salt, and aerated calcareous earth. | Strongly purgative. |
| Colurian, | Cornwall in England. | Iron, fixed air, and aerated earth. | Corroborative and diuretic. |
| Cummer, or Cumner, | Berkshire in England. | Some purging salt, and probably aerated earth; the water is of a whitish colour. | Purgative, in the quantity of one, two, or three quarts. |
| Cooluran, | Fermanagh in Ireland. | Iron, fixed air, and aerated earth. | Diuretic. |
| Corstorphine, | Mid Lothian in Scotland. | Sulphur, sea salt, clay, and Epson salt. Cold. | Diuretic and laxative. |
| Coventry, | Warwickshire in England. | Iron, fixed air, and some purging salt. | Purgative, diuretic, and corroborant. |
| Crickle Spaw, | Lancashire in England. | Sulphur, sea salt, and aerated earth. | Purgative, and resembling Harrowgate water. |
| Croft, | Yorkshire in England. | Aerated earth, vitriolated magnesia, and sea salt. | Purgative, and resembling Alkeron water. |
| Croftstown, | Waterford in Ireland. | Martial vitriol. | Diuretic, purgative, and sometimes emetic. |
| Cunley-house, | Lancashire in England. | Sulphur, aerated earth, and fixed air. | Purgative, and resembling the Alkeron water. |
| Das Wild Bad, | Nuremberg in Germany. | Iron, fixed air, and some saline matter. | Corroborant. Useful in obstructions of the viscera, and female complaints. |
| D'ax en Foix, | 13 leagues from Thoulouze in France. | Similar to Aix-la-Chapelle. Hot. | Used as a bath, and also drank, like the Aix-la-Chapelle waters. |
| Deddington, | Oxford in England. | Iron, sulphur, aerated earth, sea salt, or fossil alkali. | Alternative, purgative in large quantity, and useful in scorbutic and cutaneous disorders. |
| Derby, | Near the capital of Derbyshire in England. | Iron dissolved by fixed air. | Corroborant. |
| Derryinch, | Fermanagh in Ireland. | Sulphur and fossil alkali. | Diuretic and diaphoretic. |
| Derrindaff, | Cavan in Ireland. | Sulphur and purging salt. | Similar to the Alkeron water. |
| Names of Springs. | Countries in which they are found. | Contents and Quality of the Water. | Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derrylester, | Cavan in Ireland. | Similar to Swadlingbar water. | |
| Dog and Duck, | St George's Fields, London. | Aerated magnesia, Epsom salt, and sea salt. | Cooling and purgative, but apt to bring on or increase the flux albus in women. |
| Dorthill, | Staffordshire in England. | Iron dissolved in fixed air. | Corroborant. |
| Drigwell, | Cumberland in England. | Similar to Deddington. | |
| Dropping-well, | Yorkshire in England. | Aerated earth. | Astringent and corroborant. |
| Drumas-nave, | Leitrim in Ireland. | Sulphur, fossil alkali, with some purging salt. | Powerfully diuretic and anthelmintic, and of use in cutaneous and scrofulous disorders. |
| Drumgoon, | Fermanagh in Ireland. | Similar to the former. | |
| Dublin salt springs, | Ireland. | Sea salt and Epsom salt. | Purgative. |
| Dulwich, | Kent in England. | Sea salt and Epsom salt. | Purgative and diuretic. Useful in nervous cases and diseases proceeding from debility. |
| Dunnard, | 18 miles from Dublin. | Iron dissolved in fixed air. | Diuretic and corroborant. |
| Dunfe, | Scotland. | Iron dissolved in fixed air, with a little sea salt and bittern. | Similar to the former. |
| Durham, | England. | Sulphur, sea-salt, and a little aerated earth. In the middle of the river is a salt spring. | Similar to the Harrowgate water.— That of the salt spring used as a purgative. |
| Egra, | Bohemia. | Similar to Cheltenham water. | |
| Epsom, | Surry in England. | Vitriolated and muriated magnesia, with a small quantity of aerated calcareous earth. | Purgative, and of use in washing old sores. |
| Fairburn, | Ross-shire in Scotland. | Sulphur, aerated earth, and Glauber's salts. | Alternative, and useful in cutaneous diseases. |
| Felstead, | Essex in England. | Similar to Illington. | |
| Filab, | Yorkshire in England. | Sea salt and aerated earth. | Powerfully diuretic and purgative. |
| Frankfort, | Germany. | Sulphur and sea salt. | Similar to Harrowgate. |
| Gainborough, | Lincolnshire in England. | Sulphur, iron, aerated earth, and Epsom salt. | Diuretic and laxative. |
| Galway, | Ireland. | Similar to Tunbridge water. | |
| Glanmile, | Ireland. | Similar to Peterhead water. | |
| Glastonbury, | Somersetshire in England. | Similar to Clifton water. | |
| Glendy, | Merns county in Scotland. | Similar to Peterhead water. | |
| Granshaw, | Down in Ireland. | Iron; similar to the German Spaw. | |
| Haigh, | Lancashire in England. | Green vitriol, iron dissolved by fixed air, with some aerated earth. | Emetic and cathartic. |
| Hampstead, | England. | Green vitriol, iron dissolved by fixed air, and a small quantity of aerated earth. | Alternative and corroborant. The water is taken from half a pint to several pints; is better in the morning than in the middle of the day, and in cold than hot weather. |
| Hanbridge, | Lancashire in England. | Similar to Scarborough water. | Less purgative than the Scarborough water. |
| Names of Springs. | Countries in which they are found. | Contents and Qualities of the Water. | Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanlys, | Shropshire in England. | Epson, or other purging salt. | Purgative. |
| Harrowgate, | Yorkshire in England. | Sulphur, sea salt, and some purging salt. Some chalybeate springs here also. | Alternative, purgative, and anthelmintic; useful in scurvy, scrophula, and cutaneous diseases. Used externally for strains and paralytic weaknesses. |
| Hartfell, | Annandale in Scotland. | Green vitriol, alum, and azotic gas. | Astringent and corroborant. Useful in all kinds of inward discharges of blood. |
| Hartlepool, | Durham in England. | Sulphur, iron dissolved by fixed air, with some purging salt. | Diuretic and laxative. |
| Holt, | Wiltshire in England. | Purging salt, with a large quantity of aerated earth. | Mildly purgative. Useful in old ulcers and cutaneous disorders. |
| Joseph's well, | Stock Common near Cobham in Surrey. | A very large proportion of Epson salt, and possibly a little sea salt. | Alternative, purgative, and diuretic. Drank to about a quart, it passes briskly without griping: taken in less doses as an alternative, it is a good antiscorbutic. |
| Ilmington, | Warkwickshire in England. | Aerated fossil alkali, with some iron dissolved by fixed air. | Diuretic and laxative. |
| Inglewhite, | Lancashire in England. | Sulphur, and iron dissolved by fixed air. | Alternative. Useful in scorbutic and cutaneous diseases. |
| Isington, | Near London. | Iron dissolved by fixed air. | Corroborant. Useful in lowness of spirits and nervous diseases. Operates by urine, and may be drank in large quantity. |
| Kanturk, | Cork in Ireland. | Similar to the water at Peterhead. | |
| Kedlestone, | Derbyshire in England. | Sulphur, sea salt, and aerated earth. | Similar to Harrowgate; but intolerably fetid. |
| Kensington, | Near London. | Similar to Acton water. | |
| Kilbrew, | Meath in Ireland. | A large quantity of green vitriol. | Emetic and cathartic, in the dose of half a pint. |
| Kilburn, | Near London. | Fixed air, hepatic air, Epson salt, Glauber's salt; muriated magnesia, sea salt, aerated earth, and iron. | |
| Killather, | Fermanagh in Ireland. | Sulphur and fossil alkali. | Similar to Swadlingbar water. |
| Killinghanvally, | Fermanagh, Ireland. | Similar to Hanlys chalybeate water. | |
| Kilroot, | Antrim in Ireland. | Nature of Barrowdale water, but weaker. | |
| Kinalton, | Nottinghamshire in England. | A purging salt. | Purgative. |
| Kincardine, | Merns in Scotland. | Similar to the water of Peterhead. | |
| Kingscilff, | Northamptonshire in England. | Similar to Cheltenham waters. | |
| Kirby, | Westmorland in England. | Iron, fixed air, and probably some fossil alkali. | Laxative, and useful in correcting acidities. |
| Knareborough, | See Dropping-well. | ||
| Knowlsey, | Lancashire in England. | Similar to Scarborough water. | |
| Kuka, | Bohemia. | Aerated fixed alkali. | Operates by insensible perspiration, sometimes by spitting, sweat or urine. |
| Lancaster, | England. | Similar to Tunbridge water. | |
| Latham, | Lancashire in England. | Similar to the former. |
| Names of Springs. |
Countries in which they are found. |
Contents and Quality of the Water. |
Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Llandrindod, | Radnor in South Wales. | Three springs; a purgative, a sulphureous, and chalybeate. | Useful in the scurvy, leprosy, cutaneous disorders, &c. |
| Llangybi, | Caernarvonshire in North Wales. | Useful in disorders of the eyes, scrofula, &c. | |
| Leamington, | Warkwickshire in England. | Sea-salt and aerated calcareous earth. | Emetic and cathartic. Useful in old sores, and cures mangy dogs. |
| Leez, | Essex in England. | Similar to Ilmington water. | |
| Lincomb | Somersetshire in England. | Aerated iron, fossil alkali, and a little Epsom salt. | |
| Lisbeak, | Fermanagh in Ireland. | Sulphur, &c. | Similar to Swadlingbar water. |
| Lisdone- | Clare in Ireland. | Fossil alkali, with much iron. | Emetic, cathartic, and diuretic. |
| Vurna, | |||
| Loansbury, | Yorkshire in England. | Sulphur, and some purging salt. | Used only for washing mangy dogs and scabby horses. |
| Maccroomp, | Cork in Ireland. | Similar to Ilmington water. | |
| Mahereberge, | Kerry in Ireland. | Similar to Borrowdale water. | |
| Mallow, | Cork in Ireland. | A hot water, similar to that of Bristol. | |
| Malton, | Yorkshire in England. | Iron and fixed air in considerable quantity. | Similar to Scarborough water, but is sometimes apt to vomit. |
| Malvern, | Gloucestershire in England. | Iron. Two springs. | Diuretic and cathartic; used also externally. Recommended as excellent in diseases of the skin; in leprosy, scrofula, old sores, &c. Also serviceable in inflammations and other diseases of the eyes; in the gout and stone, in bilious and paralytic cases, and in female obstructions. The external use is by washing the part at the spout several times a-day, and afterwards covering it with cloths dipped in the water and kept constantly moist; also by general bathing. |
| Markshall, | Essex in England. | Similar to Ilmington. | |
| Matlock, | Derbyshire in England. | Warm springs, of the nature of the Bristol water, except that they are very slightly impregnated with iron, but contain a great quantity of aerated earth. They are colder than the Buxton; but their virtues similar to those of the two places mentioned. | |
| Maudley, | Lancashire in England. | Sulphur and sea salt. | Similar to Harrowgate. |
| Mechan, | Fermanagh in Ireland. | Sulphur and fossil alkali. | Similar to the waters of Drumgoon. |
| Miller's Spaw, | Lancashire in England. | Similar to Tunbridge. | |
| Moffat, | Annandale in Scotland. | Sulphurated hydrogen, carbonic acid and azotic gases, with common salt. | Alterant, diuretic, and sometimes purgative. Is used as a bath, and the steam of the hot water has been found serviceable in relaxing hard tumors and stiff joints. |
| Mofs-house, | Lancashire in England. | Similar to Ilmington water. | Purges strongly. |
| Moreton, | Shropshire in England. | Similar to Holt water. |
| Names of Springs. | Countries in which they are found. | Contents and Quality of the Water. | Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount d'Or, | France. | Warm, and similar to the waters of Aix-la-Chapelle. | Diuretic, purgative, and diaphoretic. |
| Nevil Hoit, | Leicestershire in England. | Selenite or aerated earth, and Epfom salt. | Purgative, diuretic, and diaphoretic.—Powerfully antiseptic in putrid diseases, and excellent in diarrhoea, dysenteries, &c. |
| New Cartmall | Lancashire in England. | Sea salt and aerated earth. | Purgative. |
| Newnham Regis, | Warwickshire in England. | Similar to Scarborough water. | |
| Newtondale, | Yorkshire in England. | Aerated calcareous earth or magnesia. | Astringent or tonic. |
| Newton-Stewart, | Tyrone in Ireland. | Similar to Tunbridge. | |
| Nezdenice, | Germany. | Fixed air, fossil alkali, iron, and earth. | Diuretic, diaphoretic, and tonic. |
| Nobber, | Meath in Ireland. | Martial vitriol. | Similar to Hartfell. |
| Normanby, | Yorkshire in England. | Sulphur, much fixed air, some sea salt, and Epfom salt. | Similar to Alkeron water. |
| Nottingham, | Dorsetshire, England. | Sulphur, fossil alkali, and earth. | Useful in cutaneous diseases. |
| Orlton, | Nottingham, England. | Much fixed air, Epfom salt, and a little sea salt, with some iron. | Purgative.—It intoxicates by reason of the great quantity of air contained in it. |
| Oulton, | Norfolk, England. | Similar to Issington. | |
| Owen Breun, | Cavan, Ireland. | Sulphur, Epfom salt, and fossil alkali. | Similar to Alkeron water. |
| Pancras, | Near London. | Epfom salt, and aerated earth. | Diuretic and purgative. |
| Paffy, | Near Paris. | Similar to Pyrmont water. | |
| Peterhead, | Aberdeen county, Scotland. | A strong chalybeate, but of which no analysis has been published. | Similar to Issington, but more powerful. |
| Pettigoe, | Donegal, Ireland. | Sulphur and purging salt. | Similar to Alkeron water. |
| Pitkeathly, | Perthshire, Scotland. | Sea salt, a small quantity of muriated and likewise of aerated earth. | Gently purgative. Very useful in scrofulous and scorbutic habits. |
| Plombiers, | Lorraine, France. | Saline matter, probably fossil alkali, with a small portion of oil.—Warm. | Used as a bath, and for washing ulcers. Inwardly taken it cures complaints from acidity, hemorrhagies, &c. |
| Pontgibault, | Auvergne, France. | Fossil alkali and calcareous earth. | Diuretic and laxative. |
| Pougues, | Nivernois, France. | Calcareous earth, magnesia, fossil alkali, sea salt, earth of alum, and siliceous earth. | Diuretic and laxative. |
| Pyrmont, | Westphalia, Germany. | Aerated iron, calcareous earth, magnesia, Epfom salt, and common salt. | Diuretic, diaphoretic, and laxative. Recommended in cases where the constitution is relaxed; in female complaints, in cutaneous diseases, in nervous disorders, in the gravel and urinary obstructions; and considered as among the best restoratives in decayed and broken constitutions. |
| Queen Camel, | Somersetshire, England. | Sulphur, sea salt, fossil alkali, calcareous earth, and bituminous oil. | Used in scrofulous and cutaneous disorders. |
| Richmond, | Surry in England. | Similar to Alston water. | |
| Rippon, | Yorkshire, England. | Sulphur, sea salt, and aerated earth. | Diaphoretic and alterant. |
| Name of Springs. | Countries in which they are found. | Contents and Quality of the Water. | Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road, | Wiltshire, England. | Sulphur, iron, fossil alkali, and fixed air. | Useful in scrofula, scurvy, and cutaneous disorders.—Acts as a laxative. |
| St Bartholomew's well, | Cork in Ireland. | Fossil alkali, iron, and fixed air. | Similar to Tilbury water. |
| St Bernard's well, | Near Edinburgh. | Similar to the waters of Moffat. | Somewhat congenial with Moffat and Harrowgate. In nervous and stomachic cases, analeptic and restorative; in scorbutic, scrofulous, and most dropical cases, reckoned a specific. |
| St Erasmus's well, | Staffordshire, England. | Similar to Borrowdale water. | |
| Scarborough, | Yorkshire, England. | Aerated calcareous earth, Epsom salt, sea salt, and iron. | Diuretic and purgative. |
| Scolliensis, | Switzerland. | Iron, fossil alkali, and a great quantity of fixed air. | Excellent in colic pains, both as a cure and preventive. |
| Seidlitz, | Bohemia. | Epsom salt. | Strongly purgative. |
| Seltzer, | Germany. | Calcareous earth, magnesia, fossil alkali, and fixed air. | Diuretic. Useful in the gravel, rheumatism, scurvy, scrofula, &c. |
| Sene, or Send, | Wiltshire, England. | Similar to Ilkington. | |
| Seydschutz, | Germany. | Similar to Seidlitz. | |
| Shadwell, | Near London. | Green vitriol. | Emetic and cathartic. |
| Shapmoor, | Westmorland, England. | Sulphur and purging salt. | Similar to Alkeron water. |
| Shettlewood, | Derbyshire, England. | Similar to Harrowgate water. | |
| Shipton, | Yorkshire, England. | Sulphur, sea salt, and purging salt. | Similar to Harrowgate. |
| Somerham, | Huntingdonshire, England. | Green vitriol, alum, and fixed air. | Corroborant and alterative. Useful for washing foul ulcers and cancers. |
| Spaw, | Liege in Germany. | Fossil alkali, iron, aerated earth, Epsom salt, and sea salt. | Diuretic and purgative. Serviceable in many disorders. See the article SPAW. |
| Stanger, | Cumberland, England. | Green vitriol. | Emetic and cathartic. |
| Stenfield, | Lincolnshire, England. | Similar to Orton. | |
| Sreatham, | Surrey, England. | Aerated earth, Epsom salt, sea salt, and muriated magnesia. | Purgative. |
| Sachalozza, | Hungary. | Similar to Nezdence. | |
| Sutton bog, | Oxfordshire, England. | Sulphur, fossil alkali, and sea salt. | Alterative and laxative. |
| Swadlingbar, | Cavan in Ireland. | Sulphur, earth, sea salt, and fossil alkali. | Alterative and diaphoretic. |
| Swansey, | Glamorganshire in North Wales. | Green vitriol. | Similar to Shadwell. |
| Sydenham, | Kent in England. | Similar to Epsom, but weaker. | |
| Tarleton, | Lancashire in England. | Similar to Scarborough water. | |
| Tewkesbury, | Gloucestershire in England. | Similar to Acton. | |
| Thetford, | Norfolk in England. | Fossil alkali, fixed air, and iron. | Purgative and diuretic. |
| Thoroton, | Nottinghamshire in England. | Similar to Orton. | |
| Thurk, | Yorkshire in England. | Similar to Scarborough. | |
| Tibshelf, | Derbyshire in England. | Iron dissolved in fixed air. | Similar to Spaw water. |
| Names of Springs. | Countries in which they are found. | Contents and Quality of the Water. | Medicinal Virtues. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tilbury, Tober Bony, |
Essex in England. Near Dublin in Ireland. |
Fossil alkali. Fossil alkali, earth, and bituminous oil. |
Diuretic and diaphoretic. Similar to Tilbury. |
| Tonstein, Tralee, Tunbridge, |
Cologne in Germany. Kerry in Ireland. Kent in England. |
Fossil alkali. Similar to Castle Connell. Iron, some sea salt, with a little felenites and calcareous earth. |
Similar to Seltzer, but more purgative. An excellent chalybeate, useful in all diseases for which the Spaw is recommended. |
| Upminster, | Essex in England. | Sulphur, fossil alkali, and purging salt. | Purgative and diuretic. |
| Vahls, Wardrew, Weatherstall, |
Dauphiny in France. Northumberland. Westmorland in England. |
Fossil alkali. Sulphur, earth, and sea salt. Iron, sea salt, and a small quantity of hepatic gas. |
Diuretic and laxative. Similar to Harrowgate water. Purgative. |
| Wallenfrow, | Northamptonshire in England. | Similar to Islington water. | |
| West Ashton, | Wiltshire in England. | Similar to Islington. | |
| Westwood, | Derbyshire in England. | Green vitriol. | Similar to Shadwell. Used for washing ulcers of the legs. |
| Wexford, Whiteacre, |
Ireland. Lancashire in England. |
Similar to Islington. Aerated iron, and probably calcareous earth. |
Somewhat astringent. |
| Wigglesworth, | Yorkshire in England. | Sulphur, earth, and common salt. | Emetic in the quantity of two quarts, and said to be cathartic in the quantity of three; a singular circumstance if true. |
| Wildungan, | Waldeck in Germany. | Similar to the waters of Bath. | Useful in scorbutic and gouty diseases. |
| Windgate Spaw, | Northumberland, | Carbonate of iron, green vitriol, alum, common salt, calcareous earth. | Corroborant and diuretic; and useful in stomach complaints and scrofula. |
| Witham, | Essex in England. | Aerated iron, and common salt. | Diuretic, alterative, and corroborant. |
| Wirksworth, | Derbyshire in England. | Sulphur, purging salt, and aerated iron. | Useful in scrofulous and cutaneous diseases. |
| Zaborovice, | Germany. | Similar to Nezdence water. | Much esteemed in scrofulous cases. |
1 Definition. MINERALOGY is that branch of natural history which has for its object the description and discrimination of inorganic or mineral substances, as they are found in the earth or on its surface.
2 History. The knowledge of some mineral bodies may be considered as coeval with the earliest ages of the world. The rudest and most barbarous nations could not be ignorant of some of the properties of the substances which were most familiar to their observation; and mankind have made little progress in civilization, when they are entirely unacquainted with the nature of those matters from which some of the metals are extracted.
Precious stones, it seems not at all improbable, first attracted the notice of mankind. The richness of colour, brilliancy, lustre, and durability of these bodies, could not fail to excite admiration, and make them be sought after as ornaments, even by the least civilized people, and in countries where they are most abundant. They were well known, it would appear from the sacred
Vol. XIV. Part I.
writings, among the Jews and Egyptians in the time of Moses. At this period, however, both the Jews and Egyptians had advanced far in refinement.
But this knowledge was too limited to be dignified with the name of Mineralogy. It wanted that comprehensive, connected, and scientific view which could entitle it to that denomination. And indeed it may be said to be only of modern date that the knowledge of minerals rose to the rank of science, and assumed any thing like a regular and connected form.
3 Dioscorides and Theophrastus among the Greeks, and Writers on Pliny among the Romans, have, it is true, described a few mineral bodies; and Avicenna, an Arabian philosopher and physician, who flourished in the end of the 10th and beginning of the 11th century, arranged those objects into four great classes, viz. 1. Stony bodies. 2. Saline bodies. 3. Inflammable bodies; and 4. Metals—an arrangement, which, it is curious to remark, must be well-founded; for it has been adopted, sometimes indeed with slight deviations, by almost all mineralogical writers.