Observations on the mineral waters of Avon, Livingston County, New York / by John W. Francis.

  • Francis, John W. (John Wakefield), 1789-1861.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the mineral waters of Avon, Livingston County, New York / by John W. Francis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    procured iodine. There are good reasons to suppose that waters so amply impregnated with sulphureous matter as those of Avon springs, may contain both iodine and bromine.* The value of these waters has, within the last three or four years, been justly and highly appreciated, and induced numerous valetudinarians to partake of them. They may be ranked among the most powerful and remedial waters yet made known; but, like other active medicinal agents of a similar character, they are liable to great abuse, and in cer- tain states of the system may prove seriously detrimental. Possessing active emetic and cathartic properties, particu- larly the waters of the spring last discovered, it is requisite that caution be exercised not to indulge in them too freely at first; and as they are more or less exciting, they also de- mand that previous to commencing their use, the system should, in many cases at least, be first relieved by the em- ployment of some efficient cathartic. This precaution is of saving importance, and I have known a disregard to it to lead to almost entire disappointment in anticipated bene- fit for many weeks; while, on the contrary, the general powers of the system being relieved by antiphlogistic and aperient means, the waters have often accomplished all that could be desired, in a comparatively short period. As in the administration of all sulphureous waters, so also those of Avon should be closely watched, and their use for a while suspended, when febrile irritation, or undue local determi- nations occur. This is most apt to take place in habits preternaturally full, or when local inflammation exists: * See Gairdner onMincra] and Thermal Springs. Very generally associated with iodine, says Dr. Gairdner, is the enngenerate substance, bromine. Ba- lard first discovered it in sea water, and subsequently it has been detected in several saline springs; it exists aim :st always as a hydro- bromatc of magnesia.