The Virginia springs: comprising an account of all the principal mineral springs of Virginia : with remarks on the nature and medical applicability of each / by John J. Moorman.

  • Moorman, J. J. (John Jennings), 1802-1885.
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Virginia springs: comprising an account of all the principal mineral springs of Virginia : with remarks on the nature and medical applicability of each / by John J. Moorman. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    deity.—(Bell.) Pliny, in his natural history, treats of various mineral waters and their uses; and it is a fact worthy of remark, that they were highly recommended by various Roman physicians, in the fifth century, in the same diseases for which they are at this day so much em- ployed—particularly for nervous and rheumatic diseases, and for derangements of the liver, stomach and skin. With the modern nations of civilized Europe, mineral waters, both as internal and external remedies, have always been held in high estimation. The national reg- ulations that have, from time to time, been adopted to investigate their virtues, and their appropriate applica- bility, and to guard against their improper use, suffi- ciently manifest the importance that has been attached to them as remedial agents. Henry IV., we are told, during his youth, had frequented the springs of the Pyrenees, and witnessing the abuses in the employment of so useful a remedy, sought to correct them after his ascension to the throne of France. He nominated by edicts and letters patent, in 1603, superintendents and superintendents-general, who were charged with the en- tire control over the use of mineral waters, baths and fountains of the kingdom. Most of the mineral springs and bathing establishments on the Continent of Europe, are placed under a somewhat similar superintendence, and a resident physician is also appointed by the govern- ment.—(.Beft.) Although mineral waters had been* favorite remedial agents with the enlightened nations of the earth for many centuries, it was comparatively but recently that