These diseases, more or less dependent upon or connected with disorders of the digestive organs, are no doubt benefited, chiefly if not entirely, by the cleansing and invigorating effect of the iron and salts contained in this water upon the stomach and bowels; rather than by any local

action.

Without pretending to give even a catalogue of the numerous complaints in which the peculiar properties of this excellent water render it available, I hope enough has been said to give the intelligent reader a fair and intelligible account of its nature, operation, and general application. It remains only that a few words should be added as to the

TIME AND QUANTITY TO BE OBSERVED IN TAKING

THE SALINE CHALYBEATE WATER.

At first half a pint of this water should be taken two or three times in the day; selecting those hours the farthest removed from meal times. This quantity may be increased to a pint or a pint and a half at once, as the case may require, and the patient be able to bear it. The two distinct actions of the water as purgative and tonic must be here kept in view. If the purgative effect preponderates, the dose should be diminished; if it is deficient, and the bowels become slow, it should be increased, particularly in the morning. Remember that if the bowels are confined, no permanent good is to be done with this or any other mineral water.

On the other hand if they are irritable and frequently relaxed during the day, the dose must be diminished; and if necessary discontinued for a few days. A very good rule is to take two glasses during the morning, and one in the afternoon and

evening; although the peculiarities of individuals do not permit this or any other general rule to be of universal application. In those instances where the quantity of cold fluid seems to occasion uneasiness in the stomach, it is better to subdivide the doses, taking but little at once and swallowing slowly, than to warm the water. By the latter process the carbonic acid is dissipated, and the iron which it held in solution precipitated. In fact the character of the water is altered—it is no longer a chalybeate but a saline—and its tonic powers are completely lost. With proper management, and varying the dose and time with judgment, according to his feelings, the patient will soon find this water sit lightly upon the stomach, and to act in a mild and effective manner upon the bowels and kidneys, without producing either languor, griping, or distension. He will perccive that, notwithstanding its purgative effect, he grows stronger, more cheerful, and more active under its use; and the only further caution that he needs is not to discontinue it until he has quite re-established his health, or fully experienced all the benefits which could result from its use.

THE PURE SALINE WATER.

This description of mineral spring, (which is furnished at the Crescent Pump Room) completes the list of the Waters of Harrogate, and increases our admiration, before expressed, that so many medicinal waters, various in kind, and all useful in disease, should be found in the same place. For this reason the importance of Harrogate must steadily increase, and its reputation as a watering place annually extend; for if mineral water of any kind be proper, the sufferer can hardly fail of finding one here which is applicable to his complaint.

The Analysis of the Saline Water shows that it contains in the imperial gallon :

The first thing that strikes us in considering this water is, that it is a pure saline, free alike from sulphur and iron. A slight trace of the latter, may indeed be sometimes detected in what is first pumped out, but in a specimen of the water with which I was favoured, and which was taken with the syphon from the well, there was not a vestige to be found. Of the absence of sulphuretted hydrogen gas, the olfactory nerves will assure us as certainly as the tests of the chemist. Another important characteristic is the quantity of the carbonate of soda which it contains, amounting to six or seven grains in the pint; and which renders it useful in a very important and extensive range of diseases.

The action of this water upon the human system is diuretic, sudorific, deobstruent, and sometimes purgative. It acts like the medicines of its class upon the kidneys, or skin, just as the surface of the body may be heated or kept cool after taking it. There is reason to believe that it powerfully influences the lymphatic system. This set of vessels has already been referred to, and explained as consisting of a vast number of small tubes opening upon the surfaces of the bowels and other organs, and conveying the nutritious