in Natural History, is used in general for all fossil bodies, whether simple or compound, dug out of a mine; from whence it takes its denomination. See MINERALOGY.
Mineral Waters. All waters naturally impregnated with any heterogeneous matter which they have diffused within the earth may be called mineral waters, in An Alphabetical Table of the most noted Mineral Waters in Europe, exhibiting their Medicinal Properties and Contents.
| Names of Springs | Countries in which they are found | Contents and Quality of the Water | Medicinal Virtues | |------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------| | Abcourt | Near St Germain's 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. | | Acton | 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. | | Akeron | 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. See Aix-la-Chapelle, and Baden, in the order of the Alphabet. | | Baden | Swabia in Germany | Hot and sulphureous springs and baths, resembling those of Aix-la-Chapelle. 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. | | Bagnigge | Middlesex, near London | 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. | | Balimore | Worcestershire in England | A cold petrifying water; contains aerated calcareous earth or magnesia. | Corroborative and astringent. Drunk to the quantity of two pints, or two and a half. | | Ball, or Baudwell| Lincolnshire in England | Hot, and contain some purging salts. | Drank as purgatives, and used as hot baths. Useful in scrofulous and cutaneous disorders. | | Balaruc | Languedoc in France | Chalybeate and sulphureous. Cold. | Resembles that of Balimore in virtue. | | Ballycastle | Antrim in Ireland | Iron, fixed air, and sulphur. Cold. | Useful in scrofulous disorders and diseases of indigestion. | | Ballynahinch | Down in Ireland | Iron, fixed air, and probably fossil alkali. | Similar in virtue to that of Balimore. |
Vol. XIV. Part I. | 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. 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. Purgative. | | Bareges | Bigorre in France | Sea salt, fossil alkali, calcareous earth, selenites, fulphur, and a fine bituminous oil. Hot. | Powerfully corroborative, and very useful in all kinds of weaknesses. Used as a bath, and taken internally. Gently laxative, diuretic, and diaphoretic. | | Barnet and North-hall Bath | Hertfordshire in England. Somersetshire in England. | Epson salt, and aerated calcareous earth. Iron, aerated calcareous earth, selenite, Glauber's salt, and sea salt. Hot. Iron, fixed air, fossil alkali, and a little sulphur.—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. Purgative. | | Bandola | Italy | Iron, fixed air, aerated earth, and some bittern. Cold. | 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. Diuretic and corroborative. Similar to Harrowgate. | | Borrowdale | Cumberland in England | A great quantity of sea salt, aerated calcareous earth, and some bittern. Cold. | 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. | | Brentwood | Essex in England | Epson salt, and aerated calcareous earth. | Purgative, and used as baths. Of service in disorders of the stomach and bowels, scrofula, &c. | | Bristol | Somersetshire in England | Calcareous earth, sea salt, Epson salt, Glauber's salt, and selenites. Hot. | Diuretic and corroborative. | | Bromley, Broughton | Kent in England. Yorkshire in England. | Iron and fixed air. Cold. Sulphur, sea salt, Epson salt, and aerated earth. Cold. | | | Buxton | Derbyshire in England | A small quantity of sea salt, fossil alkali, Epson salt, and aerated calcareous earth. Hot. Here is also a fine cold chalybeate spring. | | | Caroline baths | Bohemia | Iron, fixed air, aerated earth, sea salt, fossil alkali, Epson salt, and Glauber's salt. Hot. | Weakly purgative. | | Carlton | Nottinghamshire in England | Iron dissolved in fixed air, along with a bituminous oil, which gives it the smell of horse dung.—Cold. | | | Carrickfergus | Antrim in Ireland | Seems from its bluish colour to contain a very small quantity of copper. Cold. | | | Carrickmore | Cavan in Ireland | Fossil alkali, fixed air, and some purging salt. Cold. | | | Cashmore | Waterford in Ireland | Iron dissolved in fixed air, &c. Cold. Aerated earth, selenites, Glauber's salt, and sulphur. Cold. | | | Castle-Connel | Limerick in Ireland | | | | Castle-Leod | Ross-shire in Scotland | | |
Cattlemain, | 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. | | Chaude Fontaine | Liege in Germany | Aerated earth, fossil alkali, and fixed air. Hot. | Resembles those of Aix-la-Chapelle and Buxton. | | Cheltenham | Gloucestershire in England | Calcaceous 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 febrile 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 selenite. Cold. | Gently laxative, and used as a bath for cutaneous disorders. | | Cobham | Surry in England | Iron, and some purging salt. | Purgative, diuretic, and corroborant. | | Codalwood | Staffordshire in England | Sulphur, fixed air, and aerated earth. | Resembles the Akkron 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. | | Conner, 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. | | Coolauran | Fermanagh in Ireland | Iron, fixed air, and aerated earth. | Diuretic. | | Corsforphine | 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 Akkron 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 Akkron 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 | 15 leagues from Thoule 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. | Alterative, purgative in large quantity, and useful in febrile 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 Akkron water. |
Q 2 Derrylester | Names of Springs | Countries in which they are found | Contents and Quality of the Water | Medicinal Virtues | |-----------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|------------------| | Derrylefter | Cavan in Ireland | Similar to Swadlingbar water | Cooling and purgative, but apt to bring on or increase the fluor albus in women. | | Dog and Duck | St George's Fields, London | Aerated magnesia, Epsom salt, and sea salt. | Corroborant. | | Dortshill | Staffordshire in England | Iron dissolved in fixed air. | Astringent and corroborant. | | Drigwell | Cumberland in England | Similar to Deddington. | | | Dropping-well | Yorkshire in England | Aerated earth. | | | Drumgoon | Leitrim in Ireland | Sulphur, fossil alkali, with some purging salt. | Powerfully diuretic and anthelmintic, and of use in cutaneous and scrofulous disorders. | | 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. | | Dunse | 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 fores. | | Fairburn | Ross-shire in Scotland | Sulphur, aerated earth, and Glauber's salts. | Alterative, and useful in cutaneous diseases. | | Felstead | Essex in England | Similar to Illington. | Powerfully diuretic and purgative. | | Filah | Yorkshire in England | Sea salt and aerated earth. | Similar to Harrowgate. | | Frankfort | Germany | Sulphur and sea salt. | Diuretic and laxative. | | Gainborough | Lincolnshire in England | Sulphur, iron, aerated earth, and Epsom salt. | | | Galway | Ireland | Similar to Tunbridge water. | | | Glamile | Somersetshire in England | Similar to Peterhead water. | | | Glastonbury | Merns county in Scotland | Similar to Peterhead water. | | | Glendy | Down in Ireland | Iron; similar to the German Spaw. | Emetic and cathartic. | | Grantham | Lancashire in England | Green vitriol, iron dissolved by fixed air, with some aerated earth. | Alterative 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. | | Haigh | England | Green vitriol, iron dissolved by fixed air, and a small quantity of aerated earth. | | | Hampstead | Lancashire in England | Similar to Scarborough water. | Less purgative than the Scarborough water. | | Hanbridge | Lancashire in England | Similar to Scarborough water. | |
Hanlys, | 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. | Alterative, purgative, and anthelmintic; useful in fever, scrophula, and cutaneous diseases. Used externally for strains and paralytic weaknesses. Astringent and corrosive. Useful in all kinds of inward discharges of blood. Diuretic and laxative. | | Hartfell | Annandale in Scotland | Green vitriol, alum, and azotic gas. | Mildly purgative. Useful in old ulcers and cutaneous disorders. Alterative, 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. Diuretic and laxative. | | Hartlepool | Durham in England | Sulphur, iron dissolved by fixed air, with some purging salt. | Alterative. Useful in scorbutic and cutaneous diseases. Corrosive. Useful in lowness of spirits and nervous diseases. Operates by urine, and may be drank in large quantity. | | Holt | Wiltshire in England | Purging salt, with a large quantity of aerated earth. A very large proportion of Epson salt, and possibly a little sea salt. | Similar to Harrowgate; but intolerably fetid. | | Joseph's well | Stock Common near Cobham in Surrey | Aerated fossil alkali, with some iron dissolved by fixed air. | Emetic and cathartic, in the dose of half a pint. | | Ilmington | Warwickshire in England | Sulphur, and iron dissolved by fixed air. | Similar to Swadlingbar water. | | Inglewhite | Lancashire in England | Iron dissolved by fixed air. | Purgative. | | Illington | Near London | | Laxative, and useful in correcting acidities. | | Kanturk | Cork in Ireland | Similar to the water at Peterhead. | Operates by insensible perspiration, sometimes by spitting, sweat or urine. | | Kedleston | Derbyshire in England | Sulphur, sea salt, and aerated earth. | Similar to Acton water. | | Kensington | Near London | Similar to Acton water. | | | Kilbrew | Meath in Ireland | A large quantity of green vitriol. | | | Kilburn | Near London | Fixed air, hepatic air, Epson salt, Glauber's salt; muriated magnesia, sea salt, aerated earth, and iron. | | | Killaloe | Fermanagh in Ireland | Sulphur and fossil alkali. | | | Killinghanvalley | Fermanagh, Ireland | Similar to Hanlys chalybeate water. | | | Kilroot | Antrim in Ireland | Nature of Barrowdale water, but weaker. | | | Kinalton | Nottinghamshire in England | A purging salt. | | | Kincardine | Merns in Scotland | Similar to the water of Peterhead. | | | Kingscliff | Northamptonshire in England | Similar to Cheltenham waters. | | | Kirby | Westmorland in England | Iron, fixed air, and probably some fossil alkali. | | | Knaresborough | See Dropping-well. | | | | Knowlsey | Lancashire in England | Similar to Scarborough water. | | | Kuka | Bohemia | Aerated fixed alkali. | | | Lancaster | England | Similar to Tunbridge water. | | | Latham | Lancashire in England | Similar to the former. | |
Llandrindod, | Names of Springs | Countries in which they are found | Contents and Quality of the Water | |-----------------|----------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Llandrindod | Radnor in South Wales | Three springs; a purgative, a sulphureous, and chalybeate. | | Llangybi | Caernarvonshire in North Wales | Sea-salt and aerated calcareous earth. Similar to Illington water. | | Leamington | Warwickshire in England | Aerated iron, fossil alkali, and a little Epsom salt. | | Leez | Essex in England | Sulphur, &c. Fossil alkali, with much iron. | | Lincomb | Somersetshire in England | Sulphur, and some purging salt. Similar to Swadlingbar water. | | Lisdonervurna | Fernanagh in Ireland | Fossil alkali, with much iron. Emetic, cathartic, and diuretic. | | Loanbury | Clare in Ireland | Used only for washing mangy dogs and scabby horses. | | Macroom | Yorkshire in England | Sulphur, and some purging salt. Similar to Scarborough water, but is sometimes apt to vomit. | | Mahereberge | Cork in Ireland | Iron and fixed air in considerable quantity. Diuretic and cathartic; used also externally. | | Mallow | Kerry in Ireland | Iron. Two springs. | | Malton | Cork in Ireland | Similar to Harrowgate. | | Malvern | Gloucestershire in England | Similar to Tunbridge. | | Marshall | Essex 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. | | Matlock | Derbyshire in England | Sulphur and sea salt. Similar to Harrowgate. | | Maudley | Lancashire in England | Sulphur and fossil alkali. Similar to the waters of Drumgoon. | | Mechan | Fermanagh in Ireland | 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. | | Miller's Spaw | Lancashire in England | Similar to Tunbridge. | | Moffat | Annandale in Scotland | Purges strongly. | | Mosshouse | Lancashire in England | Similar to Illington water. | | Moreton | Shropshire in England | Similar to Holt water. |
**Medicinal Virtues**
Useful in the scurvy, leprosy, cutaneous disorders, &c.
Useful in disorders of the eyes, scrofula, &c.
Emetic and cathartic. Useful in old sores, and cures mangy dogs.
Similar to Swadlingbar water.
Emetic, cathartic, and diuretic.
Used only for washing mangy dogs and scabby horses.
Similar to Scarborough water, but is sometimes apt to vomit.
Diuretic and cathartic; used also externally. Recommended as excellent in diseases of the skin; in leprosy, scorbutic complaints, 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 dip in the water and kept constantly moist; also by general bathing. | 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 Holt | Leicestershire in England | Selenite or aerated earth, and Epsom 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, Newton-Stewart, Nezdenice | Warwickshire in England, Yorkshire in England, Tyrone in Ireland | Similar to Scarborough water. Aerated calcareous earth or magnesia. Similar to Tunbridge. | Astringent or tonic. | | Nobber, Normanby | Germany | Fixed air, fossil alkali, iron, and earth. Martial vitriol. Sulphur, much fixed air, some sea salt, and Epsom salt. | Diuretic, diaphoretic, and tonic. | | Nottington | Dorsetshire, England | Sulphur, fossil alkali, and earth. Much fixed air, Epsom salt, and a little sea salt, with some iron. | Similar to Hartfell. | | Orfston | Nottingham, England | Similar to Illington. Sulphur, Epsom salt, and fossil alkali. | Similar to Askeron water. | | Oulton, Owen Breun | Norfolk, England | Epsom salt, and aerated earth. | Useful in cutaneous diseases. | | Pancras | Cavan, Ireland | Similar to Pyrmont water. A strong chalybeate, but of which no analysis has been published. | Purgative.—It intoxicates by reason of the great quantity of air contained in it. | | Paffy | Near Paris | Sulphur and purging salt. Sea salt, a small quantity of muriated and likewise of aerated earth. | Similar to Askeron water. | | Peterhead | Aberdeen county, Scotland | Saline matter, probably fossil alkali, with a small portion of oil.—Warm. | Gently purgative. Very useful in scrofulous and scorbutic habits. | | Pettigoe, Pitkeathly | Donegal, Ireland, Perthshire, Scotland | Aerated iron, calcareous earth, magnesia, fossil alkali, sea salt, earth of alum, and siliceous earth. | Used as a bath, and for washing ulcers. Inwardly taken it cures complaints from acidity, hemorrhages, &c. | | Plombiers | Lorraine, France | Aerated iron, calcareous earth, magnesia, Epsom salt, and common salt. | Diuretic and laxative. | | Pontgibault | Auvergne, France | Sulphur, sea salt, fossil alkali, calcareous earth, and bituminous oil. | 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. | | Pouges | Nivernois, France | Similar to Acton water. Sulphur, sea salt, and aerated earth. | Used in scrofulous and cutaneous disorders. | | Pyrmont | Westphalia, Germany | Diaphoretic and alterant. | Road, | | Names 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 icteric, febrile, and most dropical cases, reckoned a specific. | | St Erasmus's well, | Staffordshire, England | Aerated calcareous earth, Epsom salt, sea salt, and iron. | Similar to Borrowdale water. | | Scarborough, | Yorkshire, England | Iron, fossil alkali, and a great quantity of fixed air. | Diuretic and purgative. | | Scollenfis, | Switzerland | Epsom salt. | Excellent in colic pains, both as a cure and preventive. | | Seidlitz, Seltzer, | Bohemia, Germany | Calcareous earth, magnesia, fossil alkali, and fixed air. | Strongly purgative. | | Sene, or Send, | Wiltshire, England | Similar to Illington. | Diuretic. Useful in the gravel, rheumatism, scurvy, scrofula, &c. | | Seydlchutz, | Germany | Similar to Seidlitz. | Emetic and cathartic. | | Shadwell, | Near London | Green vitriol. | Similar to Akkeron water. | | Shapmoor, | Westmorland, England | Sulphur and purging salt. | Similar to Harrowgate water. | | Shettlewood, | Derbyshire, England | Sulphur, sea salt, and purging salt. | Similar to Harrowgate. | | Shipton, | Yorkshire, England | Green vitriol, alum, and fixed air. | Corroborant and alterative. Useful for washing foul ulcers and cancers. | | Somerham, | Huntingdonshire, England | Fossil alkali, iron, aerated earth, Epsom salt, and sea salt. | Diuretic and purgative. Serviceable in many disorders. See the article SPAW. | | Spaw, | Liege in Germany | Green vitriol. | Emetic and cathartic. | | Stanger, | Cumberland, England | Similar to Orfston. | Purgative. | | Stenfield, | Lincolnshire, England | Aerated earth, Epsom salt, sea salt, and muriated magnesia. | Similar to Nezdenice. | | Sreatham, | Surry, England | Sulphur, fossil alkali, and sea salt. | Alterative and laxative. | | Suchaloza, | Hungary | Sulphur, earth, sea salt, and fossil alkali. | Alterative and diaphoretic. | | Sutton bog, | Oxfordshire, England | Green vitriol. | Similar to Shadwell. | | Swadlingbar, | Cavan in Ireland | Similar to Epsom, but weaker. | | | Swanfey, | Glamorganshire in North Wales | Similar to Scarborough water. | | | Sydenham, | Kent in England | Similar to Acton. | | | Tarleton, | Lancashire in England | Fossil alkali, fixed air, and iron. | Purgative and diuretic. | | Tewksbury, | Gloucestershire in England | Similar to Orfston. | | | Thetford, | Norfolk in England | Similar to Scarborough. | | | Thoroton, | Nottinghamshire in England | Iron dissolved in fixed air. | Similar to Spaw water. | | Thurik, | Yorkshire in England | | | | Tibshelf, | Derbyshire in England | | |
Tilbury MINERALOGY
Mineralogy is that branch of natural history which has for its object the description and determination of inorganic or mineral substances, as they are found in the earth or on its surface.
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 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 anything like a regular and connected form.
Diocorides 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. writers since that period. But still the knowledge of minerals was bounded by very narrow limits.
The variety and value of mineral productions in Germany have excited more attention to these studies, and have thus rendered this knowledge of more interest and importance than in any other country. To Germany indeed it must be acknowledged that mineralogy is indebted in a great measure for its origin, and for a very ample share of its progressive improvement. George Agricola, a native of Milvia, in which country he settled as a physician, lived during the first half of the 16th century. Being strongly attached by inclination to the study of minerals, he removed to Chemnitz in Hungary, where he might have an opportunity of prosecuting his favourite studies; and there, by the most unrestrained application to mineralogy, and particularly to the various operations on the metals, he became the most celebrated metallurgist of his time. He is supposed to be the first German author who professedly wrote on mineral substances. The following titles chiefly comprehend the various heads into which his works on metallurgy and mineralogy are divided, De Ortu et Caufis Subterraneorum; De Natura eorum, que affluunt ex Terra; De Natura Fossilium; de Medicatis Fontibus; De Subterraneis Animalitum; De Veteribus et Novis Metalibus; and De Re Metallica. His arrangement of minerals is into two great divisions. 1. Simple or Homogeneous Minerals; and 2. Heterogeneous Minerals. The first, or simple minerals, includes four subdivisions, viz. 1. Terra; 2. Succus Concretus; 3. Lapis; 4. Metallum. The second great division, the heterogeneous minerals, comprehends two subdivisions, viz. 1. Compound minerals; 2. Mixed minerals.
Several writers on mineralogy appeared in the course of the 17th century; and about the beginning of the 18th Becher proposed an arrangement of bodies on chemical principles, or according to their constituent parts. In the year 1736, Linnaeus published a system of mineralogy, in which mineral bodies are divided into three classes, viz. 1. Petrae; 2. Minerae; 3. Fossilia. These are subdivided into orders: the first containing three, Vitreofentes, Calcarei, Arguri; the second containing three, Salia, Sulphurea, Mercurialis; and the third also containing three, Concreta, Petrificata, Terra. Three years afterwards the system of Cramer appeared, according to which all mineral substances are arranged into seven classes, of which the following are the titles. 1. Metals; 2. Semimetals; 3. Salts; 4. Inflammable substances; 5. Stones; 6. Earths; and 7. Waters. About ten years after the first publication of the mineral system of Linnaeus, Wallerius professor of mineralogy at Upsal, and his contemporary, communicated to the world a more enlarged and improved arrangement of mineral bodies than any which had hitherto appeared. According to the system of Wallerius, all minerals are distributed into four classes, each of which is subdivided into four orders. The first class, Terra, includes the orders Macree, Pingues, Mineralae, and Arenacei; the second class, Lapides, belong the orders Calcarei, Vitreofentes, Arguri, Saxa; the third class, Minerae, comprehends the orders Salia, Sulphurea, Semimetallica and Metallica; and the fourth, Concreta, is composed of the orders Pori, Petrificata, Figurata, and Calculi.
Of the systematic writers on mineralogy from the time of Linnaeus, which have now been mentioned, and of others which the limits of this historical sketch do not permit us to notice, it is to be observed, that by all of them, although the general arrangement of Avicenna was not followed, yet in the subordinate divisions his classes were adopted, and constituted some of their orders. The classes of Avicenna were not restored till Cronstedt, the time of Cronstedt, a Swedish mineralogist, in whose system, which was published in the year 1758, they resumed the place which they formerly held. The system of Cronstedt is divided into four classes, Terra, Salia, Phlogistica, and Metallica. The first class, Terra, includes nine orders, Calcaree, Siliceae, Granitinae, Argillaceae, Micaeae, Fluores, Aphyllinae, Zoolithae, and Magnesiae. To the second class, Salia, belong two orders, Acida and Alkalina. The third class, Phlogistica, consists only of one order; and the fourth class, Metallica, is composed of two orders, Metallica perfecta and Semimetallica. The system of Cronstedt, the first complete which had yet been offered to the world, and which, by comparing it with the systems accounted by some the most perfect of the present day, will be found not much different in its arrangement, continued to be read and studied for more than twenty years, and was translated into different languages. This arrangement is founded on chemical principles. The first class, for instance, is divided into nine orders already enumerated, and corresponding, as he supposed, to nine earths, of one of which the stones included in each order are chiefly composed. But as the improvements in chemical analysis led to greater accuracy of investigation, the earths which Cronstedt supposed to be simple were found to be compound. The number of simple or primitive earths was then diminished to five; and thus the number of genera, as they appeared in the Scagriographia Regni Mineralis of Bergman, published in 1782, was also five. At that period five earths only were known. The same method of constructing the genera is still followed, so that the number of genera has increased in proportion to the number of earths which have been since discovered.
In the year 1780, a translation of Cronstedt's mineral system appeared in Germany, accompanied with notes by Werner, the celebrated professor of mineralogy at Freiberg in Saxony. Six years before this time Werner had published a separate treatise on the classification of minerals, in which he exhibited his method of describing them by means of external characters. The notes on Cronstedt's system are to be considered as a farther illustration of this method, as well as a catalogue of minerals belonging to Paul Von Ohain, which was drawn up by the same naturalist and published in 1791. In Germany the method of Werner, we believe, is almost exclusively adopted; and it is chiefly followed in most other countries, France excepted, where mineralogical knowledge is also greatly cultivated.
Mr Kirwan first introduced the knowledge of this system into Britain, in his treatise on mineralogy published in 1784; and about ten years afterwards it was still farther elucidated by the same author in an improved and enlarged edition of that work. In preparing the latter edition, Mr Kirwan enjoyed the peculiar advantage of consulting one of the completest and best arranged collections of minerals which had yet been made in any country. This is the Leakean collection of fossils, which Mr Kirwan pronounces to be the most perfect monument of mineralogical ability now extant. That the possession of this cabinet, Mr Kirwan proceeds to state, should escape the vigilance of the most learned nations, and fall to the lot of Ireland, hitherto so inattentive to matters of this nature, was little to be expected. Through the active zeal however of two of its most enlightened patriots (A), and the influence secured to them by former services of the most essential nature, the funds requisite for its purchase, and for building a repository to receive it, were obtained.*
This splendid and extensive collection, we are farther informed, was made by Leifke whose name it now bears, and who was one of the earliest and most eminent of the disciples of Werner. It was arranged between the years 1782 and 1787, according to the principles of Werner, and with his assistance. After the death of Mr Leifke, a catalogue was drawn up by Karlten another of Werner's disciples. This catalogue in its arrangement corresponds to the arrangement of the cabinet, which is divided into five parts.
The first part, which is denominated the characteristic part, consists of 550 specimens. These are intended for the illustration of the external characters or the principles of the classification.
The second, which is the systematic or crytognostic part, comprehends all simple minerals distributed according to their genera and species agreeable to the method then followed by Werner. This part contains 3268 specimens.
The third part, which is called the geognostic or geological, includes the substances found in the different kinds of rocks, as they are divided into primitive, transition, stratiform, alluvial, and volcanic mountains. This part of the collection is peculiarly rich in petrifications; and the whole number of specimens which it contains extends to 1100.
The fourth part is intended to illustrate the mineralogy of every country on the globe, by exhibiting its mineral productions. The order of arrangement of this part is from America to Asia, Europe, and Africa. As there are many countries yet unexplored, it is the most imperfect division of the whole collection; and indeed, as Mr Kirwan observes, it can only be completed by national opulence.
The fifth part is called the economical collection. It is formed of 474 specimens of minerals which are employed in arts and manufactures, as in architecture, sculpture, agriculture, jewellery, colouring, dyeing, clothing, pottery, glazing, enamelling, polishing of metals, furnace building, medicine, metallurgy, &c. The whole cabinet consists of 7331 specimens.
Such is the valuable source from which Mr Kirwan derived the information detailed in his system of mineralogy. And here we are led to throw out a hint that the friends of this science could not more effectually promote its knowledge, and encourage its progress, than by establishing similar collections wherever it is taught and studied. But patriotism and power are unfortunately often directed to deeds of splendour and magnificence, than they are occupied in forming and accomplishing the humbler and more permanent plans of national utility.
But to resume our narrative of the history of mineralogy, we cannot help expressing our regret that Mr Kirwan has never found it convenient to revise and improve his system as he might have done, aided by the immense stock of mineralogical knowledge which has been accumulated since its first publication. This is the more to be regretted, because, notwithstanding the rapid progress of the science, and the great improvements which the system of Werner has received, no good or even tolerable account of it has yet appeared in the English language.
France, where many branches of natural history have long flourished, has contributed largely to the science of mineralogy. Even the period of war, which at first sight would appear to be extremely adverse to the tranquil pursuits of knowledge, has in this case proved peculiarly favourable to the study of mineralogy in that kingdom. The knowledge of minerals has not only been encouraged and promoted in France, by being forced to direct her attention to her own resources, while her intercourse with other countries from which she derived various commodities indissolubly necessary for economical purposes was interrupted; but also by the subjugation to her overgrown power, of those parts of Europe where mineralogy has been most cultivated and improved, thus affording every facility of correspondence, and rendering accessible those mineral treasures which exhibit the best and fullest illustration of the science. The French government, indeed, whatever form it may have assumed, has invariably been impressed with the importance of mineralogy; and even during the horrors of revolution, has never failed to promote its progress, by forming and supporting extensive collections, and establishing able and enlightened teachers at the expense of the nation.
Of the works on mineralogy which have appeared in France, we shall only mention the treaties of Brochant, Hauy, and Brongniart. They are the sources from which the information in the following treatise is chiefly derived, and they may be recommended as the best guides to the study of this department of natural history.
The system of Brochant is formed entirely on the principles of Werner's classification, and is undoubtedly the most perspicuous account of the system of the German mineralogist which has yet been published. The principles on which the elaborate and ingenious method of arrangement proposed by the celebrated Hauy have been already detailed. (See Crystallization.)
Here we shall only remark that the study of the regular forms of minerals with a view to methodical arrangement was successfully prosecuted by Bergman and Romé de Lisle; but has been extended and carried to the highest degree of perfection by the sagacity, profound physical knowledge, and mathematical address of the Abbé Hauy. But although the mineral system of Hauy this distinguished philosopher be founded on characters the most certain and the most uniformly permanent, yet
(A) The Right Honourable John Forster late Speaker of the Irish House of Commons, and the Right Honourable W. B. Cunningham.