dissolved substances, that alter its taste or give it a purported therapeutic value. Salts, sulfur
compounds, and gases are among the substances that can be dissolved in the spring
water during its passage underground.
Mineral spas are resorts that have developed around mineral springs, where (often wealthy) patrons
would repair to “take the waters” — meaning that they would drink (see hydrotherapy and water cure)
or bathe in (see Balneotherapy) the mineral water.
Mineral water obtained from mineral springs has long been an important commercial proposition.
Historical mineral springs were often outfitted with elaborate stone-works — including artificial pools,
retaining walls, colonnades and roofs — sometimes in the form of fanciful "Greek temples", gazebos or
pagodas. Others were entirely enclosed within spring houses.
“The Springs of Western Virginia form a group unrivalled in this, and perhaps in any other country, as I think will be seen
on perusal of the following chapters. Great and acknowledged, however, as is their power over disease, they would be shorn
of much of their virtue, had nature placed them in less favorable situations. Had they all been congregated in a large city, it
is doubtful whether they would maintain their present reputation.
There are detached accounts of several of the Virginia Springs, which have been extremely useful in directing public attention
to those valuable agents ; but there is no work that treats of them as a group.
On no subject is there, indeed, greater ignorance, whether as regards the distinguishing
characteristic of each Spring, its properties and proper use, or as regards the accommo-
dations and other subjects of inquiry.”
CONTENTS – Mineral Springs of Virginia
Introductory Remarks, - - - - 1
Mountain Scenery, - - - 5
Climate, - - - - - 9
Natural Bridge, - - - - - 13
Organ Care, - - - - - 16.
Weyer's Cave, - - - - - 16
Society, - - - - 24
Mineral Waters, - - -29
General Remarks, - - - - 33
White Sulphur Springs, - - - 39
Dyspepsia, - - - - 67
Diseases of the Liver, - - - - 76
Blue Sulphur Springs, - - - - 79
Red Sulphur Springs, - - - 85
Phthisis, - - - - - 109
Chronic Laryngitis, .... 132
Chronic Bronchitis, .... 135
Hypertrophy of the Heart, - - - - 138
Kidneys and Bladder, .... 139
Diseases of the Uterus, - - - - 141
Red Sulphur Bear, - - - - 145
Salt Sulphur Springs, .... 149
Diseases to which the Salt Sulphur is applicable, - 156
Sweet Springs, ..... 176
Red Sweet Springs, - - - - 189
The Skin, - - - - - 200
Warm Springs, - - - - - 213
Hot Springs, ..... 237
Bath Alum Springs, - - - 289
Rockbridge Alum Springs, .... 303
Dibrell's Spring, - - - - - 317
Fauquier White Sulphur Spring - - - 319