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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    Bone Spring, he affirms, contains sulphuretted hydrogen in large quantities ; and holds in solution the muriates of soda and lime, and the sulphates of soda or of mag- nesia. The disorders to which Dr. Drake thinks it more peculiarly adapted, are the torpor, obstruction, or chro- nic inflammation produced by acute diseases of the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, in short, any of the viscera, and which have continued so long that the constitution is ex- hausted. In these cases, experience has shown them to possess all the efficacy that could be expected in any mine- ral waters. From a pint to a gallon may be taken, ac- cording to the strength of the patient, and its sensible effects on the system. The quantity drank at first should be small, especially by those of reduced habits. These waters do not increase the pulse, but their sensible effects on the alimentary system, kidneys, and skin, are great. The action of the former is very much increased, and the latter is frequently affected in a few days with a violent itching, and an erup- tion of pimples or pustules, which are now and then con- nected with large biles. With these cursory remarks on some of the mineral waters of the United States, we may be the better enabled to estimate the composition and peculiar properties of the Sulphur Springs of Avon. Had the work of Dr. Bell in- cluded any account of these waters, I would have forborne to offer the present imperfect observations on the subject; the more so, as I am still engaged in a series of chemical inquiries, to determine their respective ingredients, assisted by my friend, Dr. Ellet, the late professor of chemistry in Columbia College. The Avon springs are situated in Livingston county, state of New-York, within a mile of the village of Avon. * See Bell on Baths and Mineral Waters, p. 436-7.