(HRHPS ¥ *'/*\*A A A kn.K r^^nm mmmmmm^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 0.105 urn, i Proto-carbonate of Iron, 0.096 Silica, 0.045 12.778 The free gas consists of Nitrogen, Oxygen and Carbonic Acid Gas. Some of the effects, when drank, are such as we should expect from our knowledge of their consti- tuent parts. But the chemical composition of a mi- neral water can lead to no safe conclu.5ions as to its full medicinal powers. Its most potent part may be incapable of analysis or destroyed by the process, and Its mere propcHies cannot be developed by analysis. It belongs to clinical observation— to multiplied facts —to determine their therapeutical action, and our 12 onlv sure test, is experience of the actual result, when applied to the diseased human system. Mineral waters when propcriv applied, not only produce effects from ten to twenty fold greater than the same ingredients combined by art— but effects whicli cannot be derived from any artificial combination whatever; and conse- quenily, oftentimes constitute the invalid's last hope. I have resided at tiie Hot Springs for twelve years, and watched their effects on many thousand invalids, with all the interest which ownership, and a sincere sympathy for suffering humanity could excite and the results of my observations are these:— When taken internally, they are anti-acid, mildly aperient and freely diuretic and diaphoretic. But when used as a general bath, their effects are great and excel all expectatioH. They equalize an unbalanced circula- tion and thereby restore to the different important oro-ans in the system, when torpid, that natural and peculiar sensibility, upon the existence of which, their capacity to perform their respective lunctions, and the beneficial action of all remedies depend. They relax contracted tendons— excite the action oi the absorbent vessels— promote glandular secretion- exert a marked and salutary influence over the bilia- ry and uterine systems, and often relieve, in a short time, excruciating pain, caused by palpable and long standing disease in some vital organ. _ These waters are suited only to chronic conditions of the system. Da. James Johnson, of London, after enumerating the diseases in which Thermal Waters are inadmissible, adds—" But there is a long catalogue of chronic disorders, to which Thermal Medicinal Ha- ters, both internally and externally applied, prove extremely useful. Thermal Wateis act in three prin- cipal ways on the human machine:— 1st, through the medium of sensation, on the nervous system; 2nd, through the agency of their temperature, on the vascu- lar system; and 3d, by means of their chemical con- tents, on the secretory and excretory organs. In most 13 chronic complaints— and especially in rheumatism, gout, cutaneous defedations, neuralgia, dyspepsy, glandulctr swellings, and visceral obstructions — there is pain, uneasiness, or discomfort of some kind, which indeed constitutes the chief grievance of the indivi- dual. It is no unimpoitani matter to soothe those sufferings during the process employed for the cure. The warm bath effects this purpose in an eminent degree, through its agency on the sentient extremities of the nerves distributed over the surface of the body. There is an extensive chain of sympathies establish- ed between the skin and the internal viscera; and through the medium of this channel, agreeable sen- sations excited on the exterior, are very often commu- nicated to the central organs and structjires themselves. Even in this way, torpid secretions are frequently roused into activity and improved in quality, while the secretory apparatus itself is relieved from a host of pairtful feelings.'' Cases showing the benefits arising from tJie use of these loaters in various chronic affections. LIVER DISEASE, WITH DYSPEPSIA, DIARRHCEA, &c. Nottoway County, Dec. 18, 1839. Dear Sir,— In July, 1838, I was violently attacked with what is commonly called the Bilious Colic (whether from the passing of calculi, or a deranged state of the secretions of the liver, I am unable to say,) followed by an ardent fever terminating on the nmth day in a well marked case of Jaundice, with dyspeptic symptoms and great debilitv. As soon as I was able to travel I set off for the White Sulphur Spangs m a carriage, and was again attacked on the u day of my arrival with violent pains and spasms in the region of the stomach and liver, followed by fever and an increase of all the above mentioned symptoms. As soon as it was thought prudent, I commenced the use of the White Sulphur Water in combmation with the blue mass or calomel, and the most approved vegetable exiracts. The water, so far from relievmg, evidently aggravated my disease, proving highly ex- citing, and not in the slightest degree affeciing the biliary secretions. I used the White Sulphur Water eighteen days, and not receiving any benefit, I deter- mined to try the Hot Springs. On my arrival there I was greatly debilitated and in much pam, com- menced the use of the bath that evening, and so great was the sensibility of the liver and whole abdonii- nal region, that I could not for a moment suffer the spout baih to fall on it. I used the spout bath with evident benefit for five days, and on the sixth went into the boiler or sweat bath. The first sweat seemed to unlock the liver as by magic, causing free dis- charges of bile, and from that day all the functions of that organ appeared to be perfectly healthy and regular. I daily gained flesh and strength, and re- turned in the latter part of September, nearly restored to health. In December following I was again at- tacked with all my old symptoms, if possible m a more violent degree, (produced by exposure to a snow storm,) which nearly proved fatal. I was confined to my bed all the winter, and did not leave my house till late in March. My recovery was slow and im- perfect, and in August, 1839, I determined to try the Hot Springs again, On my arrival my health was very bad-symptoms nearly as in 1838, my bowels nearly insensible to the most drastic cathartics. I was not disappointed in my hopes from the use of the baths, but realized my most sanguine expectations. After using the spout and sweat bath alternately for eighteen or twenty days, finding my health greatly improved, I went on to the White Sulphur and found 15 the water to agree admirably well with me, experi- encing none of the injurious effects this season which it evidently produced in 1838. Since my return home I have continued to enjoy good health, and have no hesitation in saying, I owe it all, under a kind Provi- dence, to the Hot Springs. I have purposely delayed sending this communication at an earlier day, that there should be no mistake from any temporary be- nefit derived from the use of the baths. My expe- rience warrants me in saying that the use of the Hot Spring bath is the very best preparation of the system for the safe and beneficial use of the Sulphur Waters of Virsfinia. Yours, respectfully, A. A. CAMPBELL, M. D. Dr. Thomas Goode. Hot Springs, Va., July Tlth, 1838. Dr. Thomas Goode : Dear Sir,— At your request, and for the benefit of the afflicted, I give you, as near as I can, a statement of my case, which has been complicated and diffi- cult to describe. I am a resident of Detroit, State of Michigan. In July, 1829. I was attacked with a bilious fever, and severe inflammation of the stomach, and was reduced very low by bleeding and medicine. I remained in a feeble state about six months, when an ulcer came out on the side of my ancle nearly the size of a dollar. This has continued on one or the other, and sometimes on both my ancles, ever since, except about two months, in March and April last. My legs have been so much swelled that I have been compelled to bandage them to the knee most of the time. i^bout three years ago a rheumatic disease set in, the cords of my legs swelled to the knee^, and at limes to the body (mostly on the inside) with hard 16 lumps on the cords, frequently as large as large hic» kory nuts, and extremely painful. In this state 1 remained hobbling about, confined to my room al^out one-fourth of the time, and had the advice and attendance of our most celebrated physi- cians, without much benefit, until about the 1st of January last, when it extended to my hips and back, and confined me to my bed — my bowels at ihe same time became swollen so that a dropsy was feared, with a soreness about the region of the stomach and liver. I also had the piles very badly, and ulcers conti- nued to form and break in the rectum, and pass oft^ with my stools with a great deal of pain. In this condition I remained until about the 1st of May, when I was advised to try the Virginia Springs. I arrived at the White Sulphur Springs on the Sth of June on crutcheSj v/ith one foot and leg so much swollen that I feared it would burst. At tlie end of two weeks v/as again able to ride, when I came to the Hot Springs and put myself under your charge. For the first ten days after 1 commenced bathing I got no relief, my pain rather increased. At this time there appeared to be a copious discharge of bile from, the liver, and from that time my health has improved rapidly in every way. The rheumatic disease and piles are very nearly cured. The ulcers on ray an- 'cles assume a healthy appearance, and look as if they w^oiild soon heal. The swelling about the bow- els has subsided, and the pain in my stomach and iiver has nearly left me, I would also state, tliat lweQty~-one years ago I divided the tendons of the left foot by a cut with an axe, and v/hen it healed, the cords seemed fast to the bone, and I have had little ^r no use of those toes since. The effect of these hot baths has been to remove that stiffness and loosen the tendons, so that I can now move the toes quite well.* * This is one of the most remarkable instances of the !l*^st©rationi of lost power on record. 17 I have taken, in the five weeks that I have been here, sixteen sweat and twenty spout baths, and I now feel better than at any time in the last five or six vears. ELLIOT GRAY. Hot Springs, August 18th, 1838. In September, 1835, I was taken with a Bilious Intermitting Fever, which continued at intervals in spite of remedies until May, 1836, when my liver and spleen both became much enlarged, my appearance was bloated and dropsical, and my whole system de- ranged. I had a craving for food of the grossest kind which could not be satisfied, and my bowels were so costive as to require the strongest purgatives to move them. 1 applied to our most skilful physi- cians for advice. I was leeched, cupped, blistered, and salivatrd: took much medicine internally, but without benefit. I also tried the Saratoga Springs, but without eflect. I continued the use of medicines until the 26ih of June, 1838. I then visited the White Sulphur Springs, and used the waters with the blue pill for two weeks, but without the least benefit — they acted freely on my kidneys and produced a white mucous discharge from my bowels, but no bile. I then came to the Hot Springs, and alter bathiiig for three days, ray liver began to discharge itself into my bowels, followed by frequent copious evacuations, by puking and purging, of ill looking, bilious matter, which sickened me very much, v;hen I called in Dr. Goode, by whose advice I have been since governed. The bath and medicine have reduced my liver almost entirely — the enlargement is barely perceptible. My spleen is diminished about one-third, and is much sofiened. The discharges from my bowels are nearly natural. My general health is fast improving, and I know that I ought not to leave the place, but hope with common prudence on my part to become again 1* 18 a healthy man. The above statement is most freely .ade fo Jthe benefit of tl--^ who - s.^ffenn^^ m^he same way. iviuriv;Tzi.j.> Hot Springs, Aug. 13, 1842. About four years ago my liver became diseased dyspeptic symptoms came on with a diarrhea which continued for eight months, and in spite of the best medical aid, prostrated my whole _ system_ and de- stroyed my health completely, terminating in a fixed enlargement of my liver and spleen-my colon also was Ireatly distended and felt hard My physicians thought it indurated and incurably diseased. My sufferings were constant, and oftentimes severe. Deriving no benefit from medicine, I wa« \nduce(t to visit the Virginia Springs. I used the White bul- phur Water twenty -five days with some benefit. It caused moderate discharges of bile from my bowels, but did not reduce the size of the liver, spleen nor intestine. I then came to the Hot Sprmgs, and by your direction commenced the use oi the spout bath, temp. 100. About five hours after taking the first bath, I felt a contraction in the region of my hver, * More than a hundred cases have come to my knowledge (and I have heard of many others,) in which, after the Wh-te Sulphur, aided by medicines, had been tried tor j from two to four weeks, with either but little or no sensible i effect upon the liver— copious discharges of vitiated bi e, t (which had been long pent up in the liver) were caused by ^ from one to four of these baths alo7ie, and in most instances f to the entire relief of the sufferer. Many cases have also | occurred in which no Sulphur water was used— but the action of the bath was equally prompt and decided.^ In some instances the disgorgement of the liver is but partial— all the vitiated bile does not pass off spontaneously— then the aid of suitable medicine is requisite— which, if the pa- tient neglects, his relief may be but partial. 19 with pain like the twisting of a cork-screw in the direction of my intestines, v.'hich soon extended to the lower bowels, followed by several copious evacua- tions, not less than two quarts,* resembling tar in color and consistence, and producing great heat and pain as it passed ofif. In a short time I felt much relieved. The next day I took the same bath, which was followed by some pain and several moderate, dark discharges. For the next three days no sensible effect was produced by the bath. You then directed me to the spout, temp. 102, which was followed by pain and copious discharges, of a color not so dark as the former. From this' time, tlie sixth day, I have experienced daily amendment. My liver, spleen and colon, so far as I can ascertain, are all reduced to their natural size. I suffer no uneasiness whatever, but feel perfectly restored in all respects. I have used the baths for three weeks only. My residence is at PointCoupee, State of Louisiana. M. TOUNOIR. To Dr. GooDE, Hot Springs, Beach Hill Wi October, 1835. Dear Sir, — I have received your letter of the 10th September, asking the particulars of my disease, to- gether with the benefit I derived from the use of the waters of the Virginia Springs two years ago. I had been a confirmed dyspeptic for near five years, with symptoms of the most distressing character. My bowels in a state of obstinate cosiiveiiess — medicine making but little impression on them. 1 applied for aid to many of the most celebrated physicians but got no relief I then determined as a last resort to try * To some this quantity may appear enormous — but in a case of gorged liver, the gall-bladder itself was found to contain six quarts of bile. 20 the Virginia Springs. I attended the Sweet Springs, the White and Salt Sulphur, and the Hot Springs. From the three former I derived no benefit whatever. But the benefit which I did receive was from the Spout Bath at the Hot Springs, which 1 believe saved my life. On the third night I was waked up by a severe griping, which was followed during the remain- der of the night by repeated and copious discharges of vitiated and acrid bile. The next morning I was greatly better, and afterwards improved rapidly. I remained only eight days and gained eleven pounds in weight. I went by your direction and took no medicine, I am, very respectfully, yours, CHARLES HAMLIN. To Dr. GooDE, Hot Springs. For the last fifteen or sixteen years, I have been much afflicted with an affection of the liver; passing through many stages of that disease, and consequent difficulties attending it. When arriving at this place, the organ was apparently in a torpid state, perform- ing its office but imperfectly. After using the Hot Spout Bath for three orfour days, my general strength increased, and from that time to the present (ten days since,) I have discovered a gradual improvement in the secretions of the liver, to almost a healthy action^ with other general improvement of my health. "W. PALMER, o( Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Virginia Hot Springs, Aug. lOth, 1837. Charlottesville, Nov. lOth, 1842. My dear Sir,— At the request of Mrs. Kelley, I fur- nish you with a brief statement of her case. Mrs. Kelley, about eighteen months anterior to the 21 summer of 1815, was attacked with unequivocal and decided Hepatitis: 1st, in its usual form, with all its peculiar and characteristic symptoms, resisting the most active and vigorous remedial agents that could be adopted. The disease gradually proijressing into the chronic form, with enlarged Liver, Jaundice, Di- arrhcBa, &c. In this stage the appropriate remedies were perseveringly used, still without relief, until the season approached for a trial of the Mineral Waters. At this period such was her debility, emaciation and prostration, that her friends despaired of her reaching the Springs. The effort, however, was made, and she arrived at the White Sulphur where she remained six weeks, using the water without improvement in her complexion, or any favorable impression on the ilisease— she is now transferred to the Hot Springs where she remains one month, assiduously employing the Eoiler and Spout Baths, and under their use she became completely relieved, the jaundiced state of the skin disappearing, also the enlarged condition of the liver with an almost entire exemption of any serious recurrence of the disease from that period to the present time. Very respectfully, CHS. CARTER, M.D. To Dr. GooDE, Hot Springs. Dr. Goode: Dear Sir,— A long indisposition from the effects of a deranged state of my liver led me to try the Hot Spout Bath at your Springs. I had pre- viously remained four or five weeks at the White Sulphur, from which I had derived much advantage, but not so much as to make me believe that 1 could not be further benefited by the use of the Hot Baths. Its effect upon me was immediate, and as powerful as I had been led to suppose, producing a free action of the liver. I continued to use them eight or nine days with equally happy effects. Entertaining, as I 22 do, the highest opinion of the efficacy of the Hot Springs in all cases of a diseased liver, I am led to give yuu this simple statement for the benefit of others who may stand as much in need of them as myself. Very respectfully, your oh't servant, JOHN L. MANNING, of S. Carolina. Hot Springs, Sept. 20th, J 838. Dr. Thomas Goods : Sir, — For nearly three years 1 have been subject to very frequent attacks of Jaundice, but more par- ticularly during the year 1838, when my liver be- came torpid and refused to perform its functions — the biliary duct seemed to be closed — my bowels became much disordered, and I had a confirmed chronic diar- rhoea. I became very weak from the effcv^s of me- dicine, and was unfit ior business or society. By the advice of my physicians I left Philadelphia on the 27th of June for the Virginia Springs, and reached the Hot Springs early in July, much exhausted. I used the Spout Bath for three days, and on the fourth I took the Sweat Bath, which reduced the number of discharges from my bowels to one a day, and I felt belter. I continued the Sweat Bath for near three weeks, and my health appeared to improve from every bath. My appetite and strength increased ra- pidly, and my complexion which was very sallow, became clear and healthy, I then went to The White Sulphur, for two weeks, taking from eight to ten glasses of water daily, with evident benefit. I return- ed then to the Hot Springs, and took the Sweat Bath nearly every day for two weeks, with a half a wine glass of a mixture of the extract of Taraxicum, when I found my health restored. I had gained twenty- four pounds in flesh. Yours, respectfully, DR. KIRKPATRICK, of Philadelphia. 23 Hot Spings, August, 1837. Dear Sir, — la compliance wiih your request I hand you the followiag statement of my case: I have been laboring under a disease of my Liver for more than four years, attended with dyspeptic symptoms of the most distressing kind. I have had almost constant pain in my head, back, right side, and shoulder blade, at the pit of my stomach and in my bowels, which have been so constipated as to compel me to take some opening medicine nearly every day. I was confined the most of last winter to my room, and was reduced almost to a skeleton. I derived no benefit whatever from medicine. I finally determined to try the Sulphur Waters of Virginia — after using the Sulphur Waters more than six weeks, I found myself raiher worse, and started for home, but was induced by the advice of Dr. Smith, of S, Carolina, to make trial of these waters. I had no faith in them, and to my great surprise, the very first bath helped me. On the third day my bowels were moved by the effects of the water alone, and they have been moved sufficiently every day since without the aid of medicine, with discharges of bile which has not been the case for the last four years. I have been here thirteen days, have taken twenty-five spout baths, and have mended every day; my di^gestion is good, and I am entirely free from pain, and hope my disease is removed. I would siay longer, but my business calls me away. Should my disease return, I shall know where to seek relief. C. CARLTON, 231, Pearl Street, New York. During the summer of 1827, I was attacked with violent pains in the region of the siomach and liver, proceeding, as was afterwards ascertained, from cal- culi in the biliary duct. At a succeeding period I 24 discharged several of these calculi, which, together with other facts, clearly indicated the seat and nature of my disease. It was said by my physicians that mine was a case in which there was great doubt of a final recovery, owing to the frequency and violence of the attack. Each attack was attended with the usual symptoms, and jaundice invariably supervened. I visited the White Sulphur Springs in August, 1828, and w^as much improved, so much so as to suppose at the lime that I was entirely relieved. On my leturn home, however, the attacks returned with the same violence, but not so frequently. I re-visited the While Sulphur in 1829, with the same good efiect as to my general health as in 1828. The disease still conti- nuing, I visited the While Sulphur again in 1830, with the same results as to my general health, and after remaining there about three weeks, I went to the Hot Springs and used for eight or ten days the Spout Bath, and have never had a similar attack since. I believe myself entirely free from the disease under which I ihen labored, by close attention to my general health, the use of the water at the White Sul- phur, and the Spout Bath at the Hot Springs. ^ ' ^ J. L. WILKINS, Jr., of Brunswick count}'. In the summer of 1836 1 visited the Virginia Springs with Liver disease, as stated by many physicians. 1 used the Sulphur Waters for some time, bui without any decided efiect. I then came to the Hot Springs, and after using the Spout Bath a few days the pain in the right side increased from a dull to an acute, which induced me to apply to Dr. Goode for advice. He gave me ten grains of calomel which brought about a most happy change in ray feelings and health, producing copious discharges of dark bilious matter, when forty grains often before taken produced but a 25 limited effect. From the Hot Springs I returned to the White Sulphur, and the waler then acted freely on my bowels. JAMES L. COLEMAN, of Geo. Hot Sprivgs, Avgust 14, 1837. April, 1833. I was seized with Cholera in a southern climate, irom which I had scarcely recovered when Intermit- tent fever attacked me. This continued at intervals until September, when congestive lever supervened, and continued with much violence for the space of nine days, and only subsided to give place to the in- termittent again. From this time a morbid appetite began to prey upon me. The ague alternated with a severe dysentery, until March, 1834, cedematous swellings of the lower extremities made their appear- ance, but gave way to the use of alteratives and mu- tiated thicture of iron. I became much emaciated and debilitated; my spleen became much enlarged; an excessively moibid condition of the stomach con- tinued an ungovernable craving for food of the gross- est description, and oiher indigestible substances. In the mean time, an uncontrollable diarrhea, which has given me more uneasiness than every other symp- tom, came on. During nearly three years, every arti- cle of diet swallowed, would ferment, produce ihe most distressing cardialgia, and run off from the bowels by profuse watery evacuations. The spleen in the left side, and swelling of the stomach and in- testines, was great anil painful. The irritability of the alimentary canal was so great, that the smallest portions of calomel or blue pill, combined m ith opiates, would produce an hypercatharsis, sometimes almost fatal ; neither food nor medicine agreed with me. In this state of almost despair, I visited the White Sul- 9 26 phur Springs, and finding that the water disagreed with me, inasmuch as it proved too drastic, I deter- mined to visit the Hot Springs. In a few hours aiter using the bath, I had a bilious discharge, which had not occurred for eight months. In tour days time, my diarrhosa ceased, and my evacuations became almost healthy in complexion. I had been very much annoyed with hemorrhoids for fifteen months, which was relieved by the Spout Bath in three days. The improvement in my complexion was so great, that the visiters would remark, "Why, Doctor, you will soon be well;" my spleen was reduced about one-halt, the abdominal muscles became relaxed and soft, my strength and activity were much improved, and eveiy symptom seemed to give ;^^^;^^^^^^^^J]^.;Ji^.^D';^= Hot Sjjrings, August 19, 1837. To Dr. Goode: For more than three years past, I have been afflict- ed with a diseased liver. I have used the Sulphur Water for some time, but without any permanent et- fect, I have been here only ten days, and when I arrived this was my condition: pain in my righi side and left shoulder incessantly, my stomach greatly distended, my spleen very much enlarged, and diges- tive powers almost destroyed. I have used the Spout Bath freely during my short stay, and this is the effect: the pain in ray side and shoulder has nearly subsided my stomach is reduced to its natural size, my spleen is considerably reduced, and my digestion much improved. Th.^ benefit I have received is great and I trust substantial. Regretting that busines.^ calls me away thus early, and gritefal for your kind attentions. I an, your obedient servant. aiienuon.,ia ,y g ^^ DARGON, of Alabama. 27 Ho! Springs, Septembn; 1838. Dr. Goode: Dear Sir,— The following communication is made at your request, to be disposed of as you may ihink proper: ^ In February, 1838, in Green county, Alabama, I was taken with a violent cold, which settled on my stomach and bowels, and hnally lerminated in a most distressing and painful chronic diarrhoea. My sto- mach digested scarcely any thing; my food frequent- Jy passed off in a few hours, unaltered. Medicine afforded me no relief In. May I visited the Sulphur feprings in Blunt countv, Alabama, but the water aggravated my disease. I then, with much difficulty, went to Huntsville, and put myself under the direc- uon of Mr. Wharton. J was so much improved un- der his care by the month of October, that I was able o ride home in a suikey. My situation was fluctua- tmg, alternately better and worse. In June I set out lor the Virginia Springs. I used the water of the Ked and White Sulphur Springs for several weeks but they bota disagreed with me. They irritated mv stomach and bowels, and I got worse. I then cami to the Hot Springs, and by yonr advice commenced the use of the Spout Bath; on the third day 1 found myse f evidently improved; the discharges from mv bowels which were light colored and watery when I arrived, had become nearly natural in consistence and appearance, and I really believed I should have entirely recovered in ten days, if I had not eaten some gi-een peaches on the seventh day, which threw me back. On the tenth day, business compelled me to set out for home, and I was so much improved mat i was able to perform the trip of more than seven iiundred miles in nineteen days in a sulkey After getting home, I exposed myself verv much in the winter, took cold— my disease returned -and I soon became as bad as ever. I lingered through the win- 28 ter and spring, and in June set out for the Hot Springs. I stopped at the White Sulphur and drank of the water, but il disagreed wiih noe as before. I then came on to the Hot Springs, having from ten to twelve discharges from my bowels in the twenty-four hours. I commenced with the Spout Baih, as before. In three days I found myself better. In two weeks my diarrhosa was entirely relieved, and I aie every thing with impunity. I remained at the Hot Springs about six weeks, and gained 30 lbs. io flesh; I then visited Lynchburg and Richmond, where I staid about two months, and on leaving for home, weighed asain, and found that I had gained 56 lbs. from the time I arrived at the Hot Springs ; and from that time to the present have enjoyed good health, and can safely say that I owe it all to the Hot Springs. I am, very re- spectfully, J. M. YANCEY. In 1826, 1 had a protracted attack of Bilious Fever, which left me in a bad condition. My stomach and bowels being much disordered, accompanied with great flatulency, gave me from four to six passages every twenty-foiJr hours, and sometimes oftener; my stools mixed with blood, more or less, and sometimes with matter very offensive. At length a tamor formed in the lower intestine, about the size of a small wal- nut, attended with great heat and itching, which nlti- raately broke, and I occasionally discharged consi- derable quantities of blood and matter by stool, I I lien thought, and still think, that the wliole rectum was much diseased, and that I should be compelled to submit to an operation, or fall a victim to the disease. In addition to my other sufferings, iri the fall of 1831.. I had a severe rheumatic attack, which pervaded my whole muscular system, but was most distressing about my breast, chest, bowels and hips. In this situation, about the Isi of July following, I went to 29 ihe Hot Springs, barely able to sit up, and used the waters freely, drinking and bathing, until the 30th of August, when I left them, much relieved in every way. The ensuing summer I again returned to the Hot Springs, and used the waters by drinking and bathing, until the last of August, when 1 returned home entirely relieved of bowel disease, and nearly so of my rheumatism. I have again tliis summer visiied these Springs, where I have been for three weeks using the waters as before, and believe myself entirely relieved of all my complaints, except a little stiffness in my hips and back. The above statement is believed to be strictly correct; and if you think it will be oJ any service to you, or to sufferers in a similar situation, you may make any u>e of it that you may think proper. Very respectfully yours, HENRY CALLOWAY. To Dr. GooDE. Aug. 30/A, 1834. Hot Springs llth August, 1842. Dr. GooDE : Dear Sir, — I take great pleasure in furnishing you with a statement of a violent attack of dysentery under which I suffered in the months of July and August of the last year, and of the rapid improve- ment which I received from the use of your baths. My attack was sudden and violent, with frequent and painful discharges of blood and mucus, attended with considerable inflammation. This condition con- tinued upon me without any material diminution for twenty- one days, notwithstanding I had been copious- ly bled in the earlier stage of my disease and kept under a constant mercurial influence. I reached the Hot Springs about the middle of August, after a painful journey from the University of Virginia, a perfect skeleton, and so helpless as to 30 be lifted in and out of my carriage, and to be carried to aad from the Baths. In a few days an evident improvement was made in my condition, and so rapid and steady was my recovery, that in thie space of a single fortnight, I was able to walk a mile for exer- cise, and to return home by the mail coach, over the route which I had with difficulty performed, with the facilities of a carriage and bed. My health is at this time completely re-established. Very respectfully, your ob't servant, W. H. WOODLEY, Proctor University of Va. Hot Springs, September, 1842. Dear Sir, — In the fall of 1841, I was confined with a severe Bilious Fever, and Irom the effects of which my constitution has not since recovered. Early in 1842 I went to the White Sulphur Springs, but finding no appreciable effect produced upon my liver by the use of the water, I went to the Red Sulphur for two weeks with some advantage, I then returned to the White, and used the water a second time, but with no b.nter success. I arrived at the Hot Springs on the 5th September, with symptoms of a gorged liver, a sallow complex- ion, and pain in my side and chest. I used the bath until the 14th with great advantage. After taking the third bath my liver began to disgorge itself and throw off great quantities of vitiated bile -my skin cleared up, and the pain in my chest and side, which had before been frequent and severe, was greatly re- lieved. The benefit derived is greatly beyond what I anticipated, and have no doubt of the efficacy of the Hot Springs in many cases of diseased liver, wherein the Sulphur Waters have totally failed, I am, respectfully, vour obedient servant, T. F. CAMPBELL, of Nottoway Co. 31 Hot Springs, 22d Angust, 1S42. Dear Sir,— At your request,"l give you the follow- ing; statement of my case, and of the effect of these baths upon me: For the last eighteen months I have been dyspeptic, with costive bowels and a constant uneasiness between my shoulders and at the pit of my stomach, and a dry skin. Aliout the 1st of the iKOKth I went to the White Sulphur Springs and used the water freely with the blue mass for eleven days, but without ihe least effect on my liver. 1 have been here only one week, using the Spout Bath, tempera- tuie 100. The night after taking mj first bath, 1 had three copious bilious discharges from my bowels. My skin is now moist, my bowels open, and 1 am greatly relieved in every respect. 1 am, very respectfully, J. E. MICHIE, of Albemarle. To Dr. GooDE. Hot Springs, Sept. IQtk, 1837. Sir,-"More than three years since I was taken with a severe dysentery, which was succeeded by what I should term a mucous diarrhcea. Since that time 1 have suffered an annual return of the dysentery each summer until the present — this year I have escaped this periodical attack by passing my time in the mountains. I remained a week at the White Sulphur without the slightest benefit, when I directed my course to the Red Sulphur, where I remained five weeks. My ge- neral health was greatly improved at this place, and at first I was cheered with hopes of a recovery, but I left the Red Sulphur with the diarrhcEa in full force on me, and without any diminution of the mucous discharge, although the bilious secretions were *-light- ly improved. In that state, a state of unabated diar- rhoea, I reached the Hot Springs seven days ago, and 32 was persuaded to use the Spout Bath. I applied thc- spout principally to ihe region of my liver, and to my back — wonderful to relate, I felt inUantaneous and perfect relief— The mucous discharsje entirely ceased, which had not occurred previously in the whole course of my disease. Since ihe lirst day I have felt no pain or uneasiness in the bowels, whereas before I was tortured night and day. So well do I feel, that 1 shall start for home lo-morrow in fine spirits, and only regret that I had not sooner tried your Hot Springs. This is a short and rapid sketch of my case, but I do assure you it is a faithful one. I shall make no commentary, but will si nply say, that 1 con- sider my cure entirely and solely owinu to ihe Hot Spout. ROBERT J. BRENT, of Washington, D. C. To Dr. GooDE. In the summer of 1825 I became dyspeptic, and continued so till the fall of 1835, when 1 became worse than usual. From that time till 1st August, 1836. I contined to decline — the liver being quite tor- pid, and the secretions morbid and scanty. On the 1st of August I came to the White Sulphur Springs, (having been in the mountains about a month, prin- cipally at the Red and Salt Sulphur, but not using the water,) I there commenced taking blue mass, a grain and a half every night in conjunction with the water, and continued them for twenty days, during which time I improved in strentith and flesh and feelings. I then came to the Hot Springs, and on the third day after using the spout for about ten min- utes each day, the evacuations from the bowels were quite healthy, and continued so for months, the bow- els acted regularly once every day with the use oi two or three of Beckwith's pills, (a very mild ape- rient.) \ staid at the Hot Springs but six days, and 33 ihen travelled asfiirnorihas Philadelphia, and thence by the way of South Carolina to Mobile, where I spent the winter. I came again to the White Sulphur Springs on the l3th of July, 1837, with a torpid liver, evidenced by morbid and deficient secretions ot bile, &c. — continued there eighteen d;iys, using the Avater, and came away manitestly injured. Wiihin two days after using the Spout Bath again I felt better, and within one week had gained three pounds in llesh, with much improved feelings. Within the last (second) week I have not improved in flesh, but there has been a gradual improvement in the biliary secre- tion, which is now nearly healthy — bowels acting regularly with the use of two ol Beckwith's pills, and have tolerable health and digestion. W. E. JOHNSON, of Camden, S. C. Mr. Johnson returned to the Hot Springs after an interval of twelve or fifteen days, and made the fol- lowing addition to the above; The day I left the Hot Springs I felt extremely unwell till evening, when I had a free bilious dis- charge which continued for several days, and I think it very probable had I returned and coniinuen the baths, they would have brought on a regular healthy action of the liver. Hot Springs, Avgnst, 1837. To Dr. Goode: Dear Sir,— I give you the following statement of my case: About ten years ago I became dyspeptic, and was unwell in the usual way, when at length I became much worse; almost e^ery thing taken in the stomach produced pain, and frequently violent spasms, which threatened death. I experienced no relief except when under thj influence of calomel 5 34 tiring of which, after suffering for about two years, I determined to try the Sulphur Water. I commenced at the White Sulphur, but the water disagreed with me, and 1 then went to the Salt Sulphur, understand- ing that the water there was more purgative; for you must know that my bowels were invariably consti- pated. After using the water for two davs, I had a violent attack of spasm, which v/as relieved by a hot bath. I then came immediately to the Hot Springs; my stomach was so much debilitated, that I was compelled to live exclusively on milk and mush, and the like bland food. The first meal I took at the Hot Springs was milk and mush, which brought on pain, threatening spasm. I went immediately into the Spout Bath, and from that day to this, I have been entirely exempt from the disease. I bathed every day, sometimes twice, and in a few days I was ena- bled to eat of every thing at the table, including des-serts of all kinds. WILLIAMS CARTER, of Hanover. Hot Springs, August '21 th, 1841. W.^en I left home, on the 2d instant, I had been afflicted for fifteen months with diseased liver and disordered bowels. I reached here on the 8ih inst,; my bowels disordered; mouth and longue sore and blistered; my evacuations of a watery consistenc)', and frequently of the color of clay or putty, and I liad no appetite. From the taste, I could scarcely distinguish one kind of food from another. On my arrival, I commenced to use the baths, and continued their use daily, to the present time. My bowels soon became quiescent, evacuations regular and of a healthy color; my mouth and tongue entirely well, and they have remained so. Of the beneficial effects of the waters to me, I have no doubt ; and I am in 35 hopes a cure has been effecte.i, which may be made permaneni by proper care and attention to diet and exercise. GEO. CARR, ci Charlottesville. To Dr. GooDE. In March, 1832, I was attacked with a Bilious Pleurisy which yielded to medical treatment, but my stomach and bowels were left in a bad state. In a short time ray digestion was greatly impaired, and I had a confirmed conslant diarrhoea, the discharges of a clay color. My food frequently passed off undi- gested, producing violent pain in the bowels, and much feverish excitement. I determined to visit the Springs for the benefit of my health. I left home in August, and tried first the Sweet Springs, but they disagreed with me. I then went to the White Sulphur and then to the Salt Sul- phur, but they also disagreed, producing violent irri- tation and pain in my bowels, which put me to bed. So soon as I was able to travel, I went to the Hot Springs, and after bathing about eight days I was entirely relieved— my appetite became good, my food digested well, and I fattened and strengthened rapidly, and ftoin that time to the present I have never had a diarrhoea. WILLIAM TODD, of King & Q.ueen. Hot Springs 5th Sept., 1838. Steubenville, Ohio, July 2d, 1844. Dear Sir,— I avail myself of this opportunity to acquaint you with the benefit I derived from a visit to your Springs. I had previous to the year 1839 been the subject of a severe dyspeptic complaint for more than twelve years, which in the spring of that year 86 was fullowed by a most distressing diarrhcpa, which reduced me to the verge of the grave. 1 spent a part of the summer of 1839 at the Hot Springs, and b)-- bathing in and drinking the water, was completely and entirely restored to health, and have not had the slightest Gymptom of a return of my complaint since, a period of five years. Hoping my friend may bring back an equally favorable report. lam, very respectfully, your ob't serv't, DAVID MOODY. To Dr. GooDE : Scotch Town, 9lh Feb'ij, 184G. Dr. Goode: Dear Sir,— In August, 1844, I went to the White Sulphur Spring, in very feeble health— laboring under a disease of my Liver, attended with a constant pain and soreness in my right side. I used the water freely for three weeks — but the pain and soreness still con- tinued. I then, by the advice of Dr. Johnson, went to the Hot Springs, and took two baths in the lower spouts — the iirsi bath produced a perspiration, which I had not had for twelve months, my skin having been constantly dry. On the third day I took the Hot Spout, and while the water was falling on the affected side, I felt as if something had given way within that side.* Af er leaving the bath, I went to my room, where I had a profuse sweat, and after cool- ing ofT, there was a copious, acr>d, and ill-looking bilious discharge from my bowels, such as I had never seen before. From that day to the present, I * The sen=;ation of something giving way, was doubtless caused by the discharge of the contents of the cavities of the liver into the intestines. In this case, the Sulphur Water was evidentlyyairZy and fully tested. 37 have had neither pain nor soreness in my side, and shall ever think the Hot Spout saved my life. Very respectfully, your friend, JOHN J. TAYLOR. Hot Springs Sept. 19/A, 1845. During the summer of 1840 I had a severe attack of Bilious Fever, which confined me to bed near eight weeks. From this time till I visited the Hot Springs in 1841— my health was very feeble, induced by a functional derangement of my liver and other viscera- I had constantly a dull, heavy feeling in the right side, and found hnt partial and lemporary relief from medi- cine. While under the Spout Bath the third or fourth time, I felt about my liver (without having previously taken any medicine or used any other mineral water,) a peculiar sensation, which continued during the suc- ceeding night and day — attended with considerable nausea — during this twenty-four hours, a very large quantity of most unhealthy bile was discharged, and the following day 1 felt entirely freed from every symptom of disease. From this time, and for more than two years, my health continued excellent — when it became impaired by a residence and exposure in the South. With an earnest wish for your success, I am Yours, very truly, R. N. FOX. Dr. GooDE. Hot Springs, l3//i Sept., 1845. Dear Sir,— In the summer of 1844 I was attacked with Hemorrhage from the Liver or Stomach, arrd reduced to a very feeble state, attended with dropsical aftusions, which were partially relieved by the use of 38 transported Sulphur Water. In July, 1844, 1 visited the Hot Springs, where I remained one week, wiih no very sensible effect, though I still continued to improve. I then left for the White Sulphur, where I found a most decided improvement, and on spending a fortnight at the Salt, 1 left the mountains in good health. Under these circumstances, I attributed my recovery to the Sulphur Water, In the summer of 1845, I was again attacked with Inflammation of the Liver — bowels sometimes constipated, and at others too loose -v.'ith great soreness in the whole abdo- minal region, and a suppression of bile. 1 visited the Sulphur Springs this season, without slopping at the Hot Springs. I spent two weeks at the White, and six days at the Salt. I was relieved of some of the most distressing symptoms of my disease, but yet the liver remained torpid — there was little or no bile discharged, and the soreness of the liver and bowels still continued. On my arrival at this place, I took the Hot Spoilt Bath, and the next morning I had a copious bilious discharge, and was at once relieved entirely from pain and soreness of the liver and bow- els, and have had regular anil natural discharges from my bowels every day since. From these facts, I am under the impression, that in such torpid condi- tions of the liver, the full benefit ot^ Sulphur Water cannot be expected without the previous use of the Hot Springs. C. R. KINNEY, Dr. GooDE. of N. Carolina. Richmond, 24:tli Nov., 1845. Dear Sir, — In Jiily last I was conveyed to the Hot Springs on a bed, as feeble as an infant, emaciated and reduced to the verge of the grave, by a Hemor- rhage from the Liver, which I had labored under for seven years. After sufficient rest, by your advice I took a Hot Spout Balh, requiring" the aid of two 39 strong servants to carry me to it. The first bath pro- duced the most happy effects.* and after using it several times, I felt strong enough to walk fnmi the bath house to my cabin, bat you advised me to use no unnecessary exertion. After using the baih for three weeks with manifest improvement in strength, and also deriving great relief from drinking the hot water, which had the same effect upon my stomach, (which was very acid,) thai soda generally produces, I took by )'-our direction a botiie of the Saltt Sulphur Water every day for a Ibrtnight, when I was so much strengthened, that I rode in one day to the White Sulphur in a stage, without the use of my bed, and the next day to the Salt Sulphur, where I spent ten days. I then travelled back to Staunton, with as little fatigue as any of my companions. While in Staunton, I suffered much with diarrhoea and sore mouth, but had no return of hemorrhage until 1 reach- ed home, on the 1st of October, when the diarrhoea and sore mouth left me, and a slight hemorrhage occurred for several days, which was arrested by a blislcr, blue pill, and Salt Sulphur Water. Since that time I have been very comfortable; my digestion good, and my strength nearly restored. I feel no hesitation in saying, that but for the Hot Springs, I think 1 could not have lived throngh the summer — for I was weakening every day, and the profuse sweats (which the bath checked immediately) would soon have exhausted my frame. ilemember me kindly to Mrs. G. and your family, and accept for yourself the assurance of high esteem and unaltered gratitude to you and yours for your kind attentions to me while under your care. J. R. HARRISON, * Copious discharges of bile. t The Salt Sulphtir Water was given to counteract a tendency to constipation, which followed the ct^sation of the diarrhoea. 40 Hot Springs, Sept. 5, 1844. Dr. Tii. Go ode: Dear Sir,— Aboat two years before my first visit to your Springs in '41, I was pronounced to be in a cofi- Jirmeci Constvmptioii. One physician whom I consulted told me "there was no reliet for me; that I had no- thing to do but to prepare to die;" and among many others of the same opinion, was my diocesan, Bishop Meade, when I was ordained in May of the year just named ; for, as he recently told me while remarking on my improved health, "he really thought it scarcely worth while to introduce me into the ministry, so near did I appear to be to the end of my earthly career." And the symptoms of my case seemed am- ply to justify such a persuasion. I had frequent and copious night-sweats, diflicult respiration, now and then exquisite pains in the whole chest, a general sore- ness of the lungs and bronchia, with occasional swell- ing and inflammation of the larv nx and falling of the palate, and, added to ihese symptoms, a secretion of mucus so hard and viscid as often to provoke a cough so violent as to bring blood. This state of my symp- toms continued lor nearly two years, when there su- pervened, or rather, tkcn revealed itself, an obstinate derangement of my liver, accompanied by dyspepsy and a spinal aifection so aggravated as frequently to deprive me of all power of self-assistance. I imme- diately seized upon these symptoms, especially that of a deranged and morbid biliary action, as the real and only source of my sufferings, I was told, how- ever, that my stomach, liver, and spine were affected only from sympathy with the luncs: yet, as I fancied I could trace the pain from the liver to the lungs, I insisted that just the reverse was true, that my respi- ratory organs were affected only from sympathy with the spine, s omach, and liver. Accordin^ily in the face of much advice to the contrary, I sought your Springs, so celebrated for relieving affections of the 41 organs last mentioned. Though many of my friends were disappointed in their expectations, I was not in mine. I came to your Springs, and, in two weeks' bathing, experienced a very great abatement of ail nxj spinal, stomachic, and hepatic symptoms; and with an abatement of them, an entire disappearance of all pulmonary disease. Indeed all the physicians whom I have consulted now unite in pronouncing my lungs perfectly sound. It is indeed true that I have, at large intervals^ suffered in my respiratory organs as 1 did formerly : but 1 have in every instance been able to trace it to a cold or to a biliary derangement ; fur, so soon as the latter were removed, the pulmonary suf- fering uniformly disappeared. The baths when pro- perly taken, for I have sometimes overdone the mat' ter, have uniformly produced a free disgorgeinent of vicious bile, and corrected the irregular and detective secretions of the liver, which, the first year 1 was here, secreted at one lime too much, and at another too little. I believe that my neuralgia was entirely bro- ken up on my first visit: though my liver and sto- mach are still somewhat irregular in their action, yet both have been slowly, yet surely improving ever since my first trial of the waters. My visits, how- ever, have been much longer than those of most — of three, four, and five weeks continuance; for each succeeding year's observation convinces me that many, who leave in a week or ten days' time, should remain twice that time, or even a month, if they would receive a full benefit of the baths in their indi- vidual case. But as soon as they begin to feel a little worse than usual, which is, in nine cases out of ten, the legitimate operation of the baths if they are to be benefited by them—they take passage in the next stage. I have now visited' these waters fur the fourth time; and each new Visit has been to me more salutary than the one before it. Chronic complaints require in most cases, more or less chronic cures. It is preposterous to suppose that actual disease may be 2* m thrown off, and the relieved limb or organ be restored to a vigorous discharge of its natural and healthful functions in the brief period that most visiters spend here. I have therefore uniformly endeavored to re- main, not merely until all morbid action has subsided in the system, but until the natural and healthful action has been establisked in its stead. And I trust that my perseverance has not been in vain. I believe, and those who once despaired of my life tell me the same, that I now have as fair a prospect for a long life as the majority of my race, DAVID CALDWELL, of Bedford county, Va. PARALYSIS. Richmond, September 24^A, 1842. Dr. Thomas Goode : Dear Sir,— Having used your baths with such de- cided benefit, I deem it proper that I should give you a statement of my case, which I will do as briefly as possible. In March, 1833, 1 had a most violent attack of Paralysis, vi^hich destroyed the use of the whole of my leftside, and with it brought on a state of general debility, which entirely disabled me from attending to business. In this siiuation I left home for the mountains, hoping to regain my health by travelling and the use of the different mineral waters, but after spending nearly four monihs in going Irom Spring to Spring, I had to return home but very little benefited in my lame side, althoi^gh my general health had improved a good deal, which was some liitle encou- ragement to me to make another trial, and v^hen the next summer (1S34) opened, I again started for the White Sulphur, and remained there one month, and i 43 then went on to the Sweet Springs and remained two weeks or more, and again returned to the White Sul- phur, where I remained some time, but finding little or no improvement in my lameness, I determined that I would try the Hot Spring Baths, although it was against the advice of physician and friends, and left for that place, not knowing what would be the conse- quences of my seeming rash determination,* but when I saw you and received your assurance that there was no danger in my using the baths, I was encou- raged, and commenced bathing without delay, and found that it suited my disease exactly, for the effect was at once visible in the rapid improvement of my lameness, and the better condition of my general health, and I returned home cheered with my much improved health, and commenced a business of much labor and activity, which I have followed down to the present time, (eight years,) with little or no interrup- tion from my old disease. Very respectfully, 5^our obedient servant, SAM'L HARDGROVE. Hot Springs, Sept. 20, 1840. My dear Sir, — The facts of my case are briefly these: I have for some years been occasionally sub- jected to bilious difficulties. Last spring the func- * I have met with many others, in whom like apprehen- sions of danger, excited by the opinions of the inexperi- enced and prejudiced, have deterred them from using these baths, until they had exhausted all other remedies ; — they then came here as a last resort, and, like Mr. Hardgrove, were so fortunate as to be relieved. I have never seen a case in which any particular remedy was more decidedly indicated; and the result shows the caution with which invalids should receive such confident opinions from all who have no experience on the subject. 44 tior.s of the liver became greatly deranged, and for a dme I suffered severely from muscular pain in the limbs and body. This at length partially yielded to medical treatment; but I was reduced to a state of great debility. At this time, (early in June) I lost in a great measure the use of my arms. I could not ele- vate nor extend them; all muscular power seemed to be gone, I could not dress nor undress myself with- out assistance, and usually had my food cut up for me. In this state I came to the mountains, my coun- tenance suffused with bile, and my strength prostrated. This place being full, I proceeded to the White Sul- phur, where 1 remamed about a fortnight. During this time, I recovered my appetite, and the waters operated favorably on the system; but the arms re- mained essentially the same. On the 27th of August, I left the White Sulphur and came here, and imme- diately commenced under your direction, the use of the mineral baths. The effect was at once visible in the rapid improvement of my general health, and better condition of the arms, which have continued regularly to mend to the present time. I now dress and undress myself without assistance, and use my arms with tolerable freedom, and though a degree of weakness yet remains in some of the joints and mus- cles, I look forward with confidence to their perfect restoration. I have now been at the Hot Springs but little more than three weeks, during which time the salutary effect above described has been produced. This statement of facts I submit to your disposal. If its publication will, in yonr opinion, subserve the interests of humanity, by helping to make known the virtues of these waters, I do not feel authorized to withhold my consent. With lively gratitude for your kindness, I remain, with sentiments of great regard, yours, &c. ABRAM LAMSON. To Dr. T. GooDE. 45 Lynchburg, Feb. 5!h, 1839. Dear Sir, — I received on yesterday your message from our mutual friend, Mr. Seth Ward. It affords me pleasure to comply. In the years 1828 and '29 my daughter had a severe, protracted and complicated illness. The whole of one side became greatly paralyzed, and so continued for about fifteen months. In the season of 1829 we took her to the Hot Springs; she used the bath between three and four weeks. Du- ring the latter part of the visit she was enabled to move the toes in a small degree. Under the direc- tion of her p'lysician. Dr. Gr. A. Rose, she gradually improved, but remained unable to walk alone. The next season, A. D. 1830, we took her again to the Hot Springs. By the use of the bath she soon became able to walk — her general health gradually improved. She is now healthy and active. Yours, most respectfully, WM. S. REID. To Dr. GooDE. Baltimore, V2th Feb., 1839. Dear Sir,— In compliance with your request I trans- mit you an account of my case. In ihe latter part of 1836 I had a violent attack of Cholica Pictonum and "White Lead disease, which in despite of the most energetic treatment, terminated in a paralysis of my arms and hands, which deprived me almost entirely of the use of them, with great emaciation and general debility and prostration. All remedies failing, my medical advisers recom- mended a visit to the Virginia Springs. Thither I repaired in June, 1837, and passed two weeks at the White Sulphur Spring, but without any evident effect from the use of the waters. At the end of two weeks I removed to the Hot Springs, and commenced the 46 use of the Spoat Bath immediately. In a few days there was evident improvement in my condition, and after six weeks (using the Spout Bath every day) I found the use of my hands end arms, and my general health perfectly restored. The use of my hands and arms has never failed me since, nor does there appear to be a veslige of the disease in my system. My friends and myself attribute my recovery entirely to the use of the waters at the Hot Springs. Very respectfully and truly yours, CHARLES S. LEWIS. In November, 1831, 1 had a violent paralytic attack, which deprived me entirely of the use of the whole of my left side 1 was confined to my room, and per- feltly helpless for more than five years, and my left hand was insensible even to fire. I was then electri- fied, and afterwards improved a little. In June, 1839, I came to the Hot Springs, barely able to hobble about, with but little feeling in, and no use of, my left hand and arm. After bathing for about iwenty days, I could walk tolerably well, and my hand and arm were so much improved that I could chop v/iih an axe or work with a hoe. I bathed here about forty days, and then v:alked home, a distance of eighty miles, in four days, I continued to strengthen till June last, when I had a violent bilious fever, which again disabled my left leg and arm. I returned to the Hot Springs on the 1st of this month, and have bathed freely for twenty days. I feel as well now as when I left last year, and shall set out to-morrow on foot for home. Given under my hand this 20th day cf Sept., 1840. WM. SANDERSON, To Dr. GooDE. of Amherst Co., Va. 47 Hot Spnngs, 20lh June, 1840. More than two years aofo I was attacked with rheu- matism, from which I sutfered much. I took cold in February last, and became completely prostrated, but got a little better as ihe weather became warmer. 1 had but little use of my rij'ht side— I walked with great dilTiculty, and could only bring the toes of the right foot to the heel of the left. My right arm was no better; my toniiue was parlly paralyzed, and I frequently could not speak distinctly. I had constant pam in my right leg and arm, and right side of my head, and was almost entirely deaf in one ear, and did not hear distinctly with the other. I got here on the I4th of June; I have used baths for fourteen days. My hearing is perfectly restored ; I speak without dil- hculty ; I have good use of my right leg and arm and am entirely free from pain. I shall set out for home to-morrow in good health and spirits JOSEPH WAAIPLER, of Illinois. To Dr. GooDE. DEAFNESS. Steubenville, Nov. 20, 1838. Dear Sir,— Annexed is a concise statement of ray case. For several years my health had been bad. I had suffered muci from a rheumatic affection of the muscles of my back, which was always severe in cold weather, and which induced me to spend some winters past in New Orleans About three years ago, after an unusual exposute, I felt that my disease was transferred to my head. A dizziness approach- ma to blindness came on, and at times I suffered an indescrib>ible sense of weight or heaviness on the bram, and almost wholly last my hearing in one ear. 48 These unpleasant complaints continually increased. In the mean time, I followed rii^idly the advice of physicians, I lived abstemiously, was frequently bled, and cupped, and had cold water and ice applied to my head, which produced only temporary rehel. At one time I used the Blue Pill until my gums be- came a little tender, and felt decidedly better under its influence. But the disease siill remained, depress- ing my spirits, and impairing all the enjoyments of life. At two diflerent times the distress in my head was so great as almost to deprive me of conscious- ness, until I was bled. Early last summer all these symptoms had assumed a more fixed and threatenmg character than at any former period, when I deter- mined to visit the Vircinia Hot Sprii:gs, where I arrived in August. I used the waters in the custom- ary way, permitting the spout to fall direcily on the ear of wliich I had lost the hearing, and over the head c^enerally. I experienced immediate good eflfect, and before I left the Hot Springs, where I remained about three weeks, recovered my hearing entirely, and also felt perfect relief in my head. This relief has conti- nued up to this time. 1 find no inconvenience what- ever to follow the use of my ordinary diet, and can truly say, that I have not felt so entirely m good health for many years. Very respectfully, your ob't serv t, MARTIN ANDREWS. To Dr. T. Goode: I took a severe cold in March, 1835, which settled mainly in mv head, and after a few days I became so deaf 1 was unable to hear or distinguish a word of common conversation. I could not hear my watch at all with the left ear, and very indistinctly with the ri^'ht. Both my ears felt as if filled with water, and ea'ch step I look in walking produced a sort of muf- 49 fled sounding in them, as of forcing out water. I remained in this situation four or five weeks, when I placed myself under the care of a physician, and remained under his treatment for about two months. My right ear recovered considerably in this time, but It never had been so dull as the left. I could just hear the watch with the left ear for about four or five days of the said time, when I took cold and could not hear it afterwards, I arrived at the Hot Springs on the IGih of August, and after four or five baths, holding the back of my head under the spout the greater part of the time I was in the bath, I could hear my watch with my left ear, which I had not done (except four or five days as I have stated,) since I was first taken. I think the right ear improved also; but in the course of three or four days there was a considerable change in the air and I took cold, which so muffled up my head and hearing that I could not hear my watch with the left ear at all. I remained at the Hot Springs about ten days, without any further change or aheiation and then proceeded to the Wh.ite Sulphur, where I remain- ed nine or ten days; then proceeded to the Salt Sul- phiir; thence to the Sweet Springs, and on the 12th of September 1 returned again to the Hot Springs. I was not conscious of any improvement in my hearing- at any time in the course of my visits to those Springs'' but on the contrary, I took cold frequently, and I thmk my head and hearing were more muffled on the 12th of September , when I returned to the Hot Springs than at any time after my arrival at the mountains^ I could not hear my watch with my left ear at all • the muffled sounding was increased, and when I closed the right ear, I was scarcely able to hear even the rumbling of the carriage in which I travelled. In about three days after my arrival at the Hot Springs the second time, I could hear mv watch with my left ear again, and it continued to improve until I could hear as plainly and as distinctly with it, as with my 50 right ear, and both, I think, were improving, when I took leave of the Hot Springs on the 28th of Septem- ber, after a residence of sixteen days. The muffled sound and seeming of water in my ears, had left me entirely. [The above statement was presented by a gentle- man from Fredericktown,in Maryland, who does not wish publicity given to his name. He was at the Hot Springs in August following, and informed me that his hearing had continued perfectly good.] Hot Springs, Sept. 18, 1840, Dear Sir,— At your request, I give you a statement of my case. In February last I was taken with a violent cold in my head, which left me almost entirely deaf in my left ear. I came to the Hot Springs on the I8th of July, and after using the baths freely for about two weeks, my hearing was restored, and has continued perfect without interruption up to this date. JOHN B. CUTTING, To Dr. GooDE. Lt. U. S, Navy. RHEUMATISM. Hot Springs, Aug. 8, 183S. ToT. Goode: Dear Sir,— I give you a short statement of my case. In 1826 or '7 I experienced a severe attack of Bilious Fever, which reduced me very low. I was scarce able to leave my bed, when the fever was succeeded by a violent attack of inflammatory rheumatism, from which I recovered in about iwo months. In Febru- ary, 1835, after a slight bilious attack, the rheumatism 51 returned in a chronic form and reduced me to a state of helplessness. All hope of recovery was deemed idle, my constitution being very weak. I left home for the White Sulphur in June following, remained there two weeks, and left with a severe cold that augmented my disease. I remainetl here near or quite a month, taking the spout and boiler baths alternately, and entirely reco- vered. I have not had the slightest return of the dis- ease since. Yours, &c. WM. M. DARLINGTON, of Pittsburgh. Hot Springs, 2dth August, 1833. In the month of January, 1806, during my attend- ance on the Virginia Legislature, of which I was then a member, I was very sorely afflicted with an attack of Inflammatory Rheumatism, and about the 1st of July in the same year, after the disease had assumed a chronic state, I arrived at the Hot Springs in Virginia, much debilitated, requiring two persons to put me in and take me out of a carriage. I re- mained at the Springs sixty-three days, using the bath once every day except three. I was weighed the day I got to the Springs, and also on the day I left them, and if I was correctly weighed, I gained sixty pounds in weight in sixty-three days, aad remained free from that complaint for upwards of twenty years. H. CALLOWAY, of Franklin Co. Dr. T. GooDE : Dear Sir, — In accordance with your request, I send you a statement of the effect of the Hot Springs bath in my case. After a severe spell of fever, I was attacked with acute pains in one arm, leg and foot, 52 succeeded by hard, indolent swellings, which took away the use of the affected limbs, and confined me to my room for several months. I was under medi- cal treatment during the whole time, but all the reme- dies used, failed. I went to the Hot Springs and used, the bath for two or three weeks; when the swellings suppurated, they discharged freely, and I gradually recovered the use of my limbs. Since that period, my health has been better than usual, and I attribute all to the Hot Baih. Yours, &c. WM. CHAPMAN. Waynesboro'. Oct. 3lst, 1838. Tarboro\ N. C, Sept. 10, 1833. The following communication is made to Doctor Goode, the present proprietor of the Hot Springs in Virginia, to be published, if he thinks proper, for the benefit of the afflicted. For six or eight years prior to the winter of 1828, I was more or less afflicted with severe pains in my joints, elbows, shoulders and back, and about the 25th of December, 1828, 1 was completely prostrated with a severe attack of chronic rheumatism in almost every joint in ray system, which rendered me entirely, helpless. I could neither dress nor undress, turn my- self in bed nor assist myself in any way for the space of six months. On the 4ih of July following, for the first time, I ventured out of the house, and with the aid of a stick in each hand, I walked about two hun- dred yards. I continued very weak until the Spring of 1830, when, as the warm weather set in, my pains abated a little. Shortly after, by the advice of my friends, I set out for the Hot Springs in Virginia, where I arrived early in July, and remained until some time in September, during which time I was in the Hot Bath forty-five times, and while under the operation of sweating, my pains returned to such a 53 degree that I could not raise my' head. Some of the visiters who had been there before, told me it was a sure siffii I should get well ; and so it turned out ; for after having left the Springs a few weeks my pains gradually left me, and with the exception of a very slight attack in my left ancle last winter, I have been entirely free from pain since my return from the Springs in 1830, and am now^ at home in good health, following my usual business. W. CROCKET. Hot Springs, 28lh August-, 1833. In the month of December, 1827, I was attacked, as I supposed, with a severe tooth-ache, and in a few days had the tooth extracted, but it afforded me no relief. In a day or two afterwards it was discovered that I had a bilious fever, my jaws swelled so as to threaten suffocation. One entire side of my jaw bone burst as low down as the teeth went in, and the bone was extracted. The outer side of my jaw formed an abscess on the outside from which several pieces of bone were extracted. This abscess connected itself with the other diseased side, so that when any liquid was injected in on the outside abscess, it came out on the opposite side in my mouth. I was then taken with severe pains in my back, which continued for several M^eeks; ihey then fell into my extremities and deprived me of the use of them. The pain was so severe, that at at one time it seemed like my feet were on red hot iron, and at another they felt as if they were pierced through with icicles. My shoulders, arms and hands were but little better; they swelled largely, with but little mitigation of pain; my legs, ancles and feet had strong indications of dropsy; when pressed would pit and remain so for a length of time. In this situation I was carried in July, 1828, to the Hot Springs, in Bath county, in Virginia, as m helpless as an infant, and commenced using the wa- ters by being held under what is called the Spout Bath, "which produced no change for the better. I was then put into what is called the boiler, and after using it about* one week, my hands, though much contracted, began to have their natural feeling, and in five weeks my arms and shoulders were entirely well; my back, legs and feet did not mend so fast, but were much relieved. When I left the Spring about September, I could sit up and move my feet and legs about, but could neither stand nor walk ; nor could I do so until the Istof November, when I could move about on crutches. 1 continued to mend slowly, until the next August, when I again visited the sanie Springs and used the bpiler for abo'it a month, which restored me to almost perfect health. In the Spring of 1831 I visited the Siales of Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, and was on horseback lor near ten weeks, and frequently wet, without injury. In July, 1832, I was, when very hot, overtaken by a heavy fall of rain and got very wet, which caused my former disease with all its symptoms, to return partially upon me. I have now been at the Hot Springs using the boiler for about a monih, and which has again almost entirely relieved me. I am a native of Bedford county, Va., where I now reside, and am forty-seven years of age. B. PRESTON. Philadelphia, 23d February, 1834. In the year 1826 I contracted a very bad cold, by sitting for several months in a room which had been recently plastered upon very thin walls. The cold at first fell upon my breast, and was attended with a cough. Al'ier some time the cough subsided, and I was seized suddenly with a pain in the right arm. In a few days the pain became very violent ; it was sea ted 55 principally in the shoulder blade, but extended like- wise from the shoulder down to the points of the fin- gers. The best medical aid was resorted lo, but there was no alleviation of the pain, not even for a minute. In this situation I got little or no sleep ; the agony was so much increased by lying in bed, that the only rest obtained was by lying with my clothes on across the foot of the bed, with the affected arm hanging down. In this situation exhausted nature would sink into a doze, out of which I was soon again awakened by the pain. The arm dwindled away, my appetite failed, and my general health was fast declining. Reduced to this state, I determined to try the Hot Springs in Virginia. With difficulty I was taken there, and had no reason to repent of my determina- tion. I took forty hot baths, using the blankets each time. At the end of two months I returned home so much altered in appearance that I was the object of astonishment to those who had seen me previous to my departure, and in another month I was perfectly restored to health. P. A. BROWN. To Dr. Go ODE, Hot Springs, Bath Co., Va. Halifax, Feb. Ath, 1839. Dear Sir, — Owing to imprudent exposure, I became, some time in February, completely prostrated by a violent attack of Rheumatism, each limb and every joint being more or less affected. Though the spine and muscles of the right leg seemed to be the princi- pal seat of the disease — this limb w^as very much drawn up and evidently shrinking away, and for se- veral months I could only hobble about the house on crutches, and even this was painful. After applying many remedies without benefit, I was fast reconciling myself to the idea of being lame for life, when, by the advice of physicians I started for the Hot Springs. On reaching the Springs I walked with difficulty and m pain, but after the second trial of the boiler there was evident improvement, alter this it was rapid, and in five weeks after reaching the Hot Springs, (as I thought, a cripple for life,) I found myself restored to a sound and healthy condition, this happy result being brought about by the free use of the Hot Spring Baths, which, when used prudently, will soon prove that they are fully entitled to the high reputation which they have acquired. 1 remain your friend sincerely, &c. THOxVIAS G.COLEMAN. I have been more or less subject to Rheumatism for fifteen years, generally most lame in warm wea- ther. In August, 1839, 1 had a severe rheumatic fever — was unable to walk for several months. In the summer of 1840 I went to Saratoga Springs, and the Sulphur Springs at Avon, Livingston county, New- York. I received no benefit at eiiher place. In the summer of 1841 I visited the Springs in Virginia — arrived at the Ho: Springs about the 1st of August — I bathed every day for twenty-three or twenty-four days— commenced in the Spout Bath 100 deg., bathed eight or ten days, each time fifteen to twenty minutes, then went into bath 103 deg. for a few days — from that to the Hot Spout 106 deg.-, after bathing in that ten to fifteen minutes for a day or two, I returned to the 103 deg. again, finding the Hot Spout too exciting — continued to bathe in 103 deg. for ten or twelve days, from twenty-five to thirty minutes each time. While taking the baths I felt more pain and uneasi- ness in my limbs than usual. After leaving the Springs a few days, my strength increased, and I have gradually improved in health. Finding the ef- fects of the baths at the Hot Springs of great advan- tage last season, 1 have been induced to try the same this summer, 1812, Commencing, as formerly, in 57 bath 100 deg. for several days, then in 103 deg. From previous experience, as well as my present feelings, I find the bath 103 deg, warm as is necessary, and any higher temperature would only aggravate my disease. 1 feel confident that I have received great benefit from the Hot Springs, and if I gain in healih as much from my visit this year as ihe lasi, I shall feel myself well rewarded for time and expense, and shall be induced to try the Hot Springs next year, should I not find my health perfectly restored, JOHN WETHERELL, of Boston. To Dr. Ths. Goode. August 18, 1840. Hot Sp-ings, 10th Sept., J 844, To Dr, Goode: In 1828 I had an obstinate Bilious Fever, from which I was near twelve moni!is recovering, and for thirteen years afterwards, whenever I exposed my- self or the weather changed suddenly, I had attacks of rheumatism, more or less severe, and frequently confined for several days to my room, Jn 1841 I had another Bilious Fever, which confined me for eight weeks — the rheumatism then returned, and in six weeks completely prostrated me. At no time in the last two years and a half could I say that I was free from suffering — and often the very thought of motion was a matter of dread to me, I suffered most in my wrists, hands, knees, ancles and feet. I arrived here on the I7th of August, and after using Ihe Spout and Boiler alternately for one week — the Boiler every day for one week, and then the Spout alone for twelve days — I find myself entirely relieved. Of your kind and friendly attentions to me, I shall feel it my duty to speak wherever God in his providence may cast my lot. I am very truly, your friend antl ob't serv't,, D. G, DOAK, of Clarkesville, Va. 5S OLD INJURIES. In 1837, after spending three weeks at the White and other Sulphur Springs, where I drank the waters, I visited the Hot Springs, and there took regularly two spout baths a day from the 8th to the I8ih of September, inclusive. My object was to get rid of a rheumatic pain above the right hip, occasioned by a fall the year previous. The second spout removed the pain from the hip to the shoulder, and the suc- ceeding ones made it travel still more over my back ; thus I suffered more that week than I ever had done before, but at the end of ten days I left the Springs entirely free from pain. The second and third spouts produced likewise a most extraordinary effect on the iiver, a copious yellow evacuation, such as I never witnessed in my life. In 1838, I spent a week at the spout, in order to see whether it would produce the same discharge, but it had no longer the same effect.* H. DAVRAINVILLE, of Philadelphia. Hot Springs^ Sept. Isi, 1838. In December, 1835, Mr. Tendall, of Philadelphia, slightly fractured a muscle of his right arm, just be- low the elbow. He continued to use the arm until February, 1836, when he contracted a rheumatism, which seized upon the injured part of the right arm, which swelled to double its natural size, and became ♦The reason is obvious: in 1837 there was redundant bile in the liver — in 1838 there was no more than was neces- sary to serve the purposes of the healthy system. Where there is no redundant Inle, there can be no copious or exceS' sive bUious discharge. 59 black and almost as hard as bone. He took the best medical advice and the usual remedies for rheuma- tism for the space of two months, and grew worse. He suffered acute pain, and lost his rest at night, and ahnost despaired of everrecovering the use of his arm. His general health was much injured by unremit- ting pain and loss of rest. In May, 1836, he travelled through the Western States and stopped at the Hot Springs on his return. His right arm was entirely useless. He took the Spout Bath daily for a week, and was enabled to resume the use of his arm so as to dress without assistance, and became free from pain. He after- wards took the Spout and Sweat Baths alternately, one a day for six weeks, and recovered wiih the most astonishing rapidity, gaining daily accessions of health and strength, and now (March, 1837,) the use of his arm is entirely restored ; and the swelling has almost disappeared. He drank five or six glasses of the water daily. Southampton, Ibth Feb., 1843, Dear Sir,— Having derived the most important be- nefit from the use of the Spout Bath at the Hot Springs, it gives me pleasure to comply with your request and bear testimony to its virtues. In the month of August, 1829, a horse ran away with me in a gig — I leaped out, ifractured the small bone in my leg, and injured the patilla or knee-pan most severely. A tedious confinement was the con- spqaence. When I was sufficiently recovered to leave my bed, I found the leg so contracted that I could not walk without the aid of crutches. Indeed, when standing erect, my foot did not reach the ground by four inches. The limb shrunk from inaction, and fearing I should be a cripple for life, I visited Phila- delphia and consulted Dr. Physic. He told me my 60 case was hopeless, and surgical aid would be of no avail. I returned home and went to the Hot Springs — I had then been on crutches more than twelve months — my left leg was not half the size of the right, and so contracted, that I could not get the foot to the ground. The very first bath relaxed the contraction — my leg became straight, and I walked back to my cabin without crutches. I used the bath once a day for about three weeks. The limb was gradually re- stored, and I have never used crutches since. I re- gard m)'self as indebied to the Hot Springs for my leg, I am, most respectfully. Your ob't serv't and friend, J. Y. MASOJ^. UTERINE DISEASES. University of Virginia^ Dec. 10, 1841. Dr. Thomas Goode: Dear Sir,— I have just received your letter of the 7th inst., soliciting my "opinion and experience" of the remedial effects of the waters of "the Hot Springs in Chronic diarrhoea and difficult menstruation." In reply to your inquiry I may state, that for many years, but particularly for the last ten, and during my residence in Baltimore, I have advised all my patients, who were afflicted either with chronic diar- rhcEa or painful menstruation that resisted medical treatment, to avail themselves of the remedial powers of the waters of the Hot Springs, and I do not now recollect an instance, where the proper preparatory measures, and indispensable auxiliary regimen to the use of the baths were strictly observed and persevered in, in which my expectations of the efficacy of the waters were disappointed. 61 It is true that a few cases have occurred in wkich the patient returned to me without receiving any re- lief, and some have claimed my attention in which the diseases appeared aggravated— but in all these cases, upon a close scrutiny it was ascertained, that either the preparatojy measures necessary to be adopt- ed previous to taking the baths, or the auxiliary regi- men, to be used simultaneously with bathing, were not rigidly adhered to. I feel constrained by the result of my observation and experience during my recent visit to the Hot Springs, to state that I believe that those waters are as potent for injury as well as benefit to those afflicted with chronic diarrha?a or painful menstruation, that none such should use them without the advice of a physician conversant with their qualities. And phy- sicians, when recommending this watering place to their patients, should make them aware, that travel- ling and its incidents sometimes convert chronic into acute affections, and that a regimen and a course of medical treatment, very proper in the former state, may be highly improper in the latter condition. 1 am, very respectfully, yours, H. HOWARD, M. D. LOSS OF VOICE. Hot Springs, mh Sept., 1836. To Dr. Goode: In the year 1826 I was taken with a violent cold, which deprived me of the power of uttering a word above a whisper. The tonsils, epiglottis, and end of the windpipe were considerably inflamed and swollen, especially in cold, damp weather. In 1827 1 visited the Red, Salt, and White Sulphur Springs, which 62 improved my general health. In 1828 I came to the Hot Springs and took forty-two sweat baths in suc- cession, and occasionally the spout. My general health was greatly improved, and my voice so much strengthened as to enable me to converse in the ordi- nary tone of common conversation. I remained at the Hot Springs fifty-seven days and gained twenty- two pounds in weight, I used no animal food whilst bathing. I am, very respectfully, W. FOUNTAIN, of Fluvanna Co., Va. NEURALGIA. Hot Springs 21th Augitst, 1844. Dr. Goode: For several years anterior to 1843, 1 had been most severely afflicted by acute Neuralgia, particularly in my right side, from the arm-pit to the hip bone. The paroxysms were so severe, that my system, in spite of all the remedies I could obtain, was reduced to great debility and emaciation, and consequent mental depression. I had visited Saratoga Springs twice, and some other watering places, without any perma- nent benefit. In the summer of 1843 I determined to try the Virginia Springs. After about a month spent in using the White and other Sulphur waters, I re- paired to the Hot Springs, and after using the Spout Bath and Boiler for two weeks every day — and some- times twice a day — I was to my great surprise and gratification ivholl]/ relieved. For twelve months past I have had but one slight paroxysm. Under Provi- dence, I may therefore confidently ascribe my resto- ration to the Hot Springs. As the disease abated, my appetite, flesh and strength increased, and de- spondency has flown, I trust, forever. I am, very respectfully, J. C. HERBERT, of Maryland. 63 ADDITIONAL CASE OF LIVER DISEASE. Amelia county, April llih, 1846, Dr. Goode: Dear Sir,— "When I was at the Hot Springs last summer, 1 promised to give you a statement of the effects of the baths on me, which I have neglected to do until now. In the year 1841 my health, from some cause, became very bad: I was laboring under great debility, and my physician advised me to take a trip to the mountains and use the Sulphur Waters, which I did, freely, and found considerable relief— which proved however only temporary. As the warm wea- ther came on, next spring", 1 suffered more from debi- lity even than the season before, and my physician pronounced my disease a functional derangement of the liver, and again advised me to go to the Sulphur Springs; but on my way to the Springs, I met an ac- quaintance who advised me to go by the Hot Springs and use your baths, which I did for eight or ten days, and they acted like a charm on my system ; and the benefit was much more permanent than any thing I had ever tried before: and T^uave since then, when I have visited the mountains, tried the baths with evi- dent beuefit, and consider their use more advantage- ous to me than all the mineral waters in the moun- tains. I am very respectfully yours, J. G. JEFFERSON. 6^ GENERAL REMARKS. We have now presented the reader with Fifty-three cases of various chronic diseases, which were either entirely relieved or materially benefited by the use of these waters. Most of them were complicated — of long continuance, and of a most untractable charac- ter, having resisted for years the best efforts of the healing art. Thirty of those were cases of liver dis- ease, complicated with dyspepsia, diarrhoea or he- morrhage. In fourteen cases, the liver was gorged with its own secretions. In thirteen of these, that organ disgorged itself in from one to ten baths, with- out the aid of medicine. In the other, Mr. Coleman's, of Georgia, the torpor of the organ was overcome in three days, when ten grains of calomel produced fif een evacuations of vitiated bile, followed by complete re- lief—forty grains of calomel having been repeatedly before administered with little or no effect. In eight of these thirty cases, the White .Sulphur Spring was tried with manifest injury ; in three with partial bene- fit ; in ten without any sensible effect; and in the other nine, the patients came (directly to the Hot Springs, and without using Sulphur water any where. Of the six cases of pnraly sis, /A?(?e visited the White Sulphur, but without any evident effect on the paralysis. Of the three cases of deafness, one visited the Sulphur Springs, and to his injury. Of the nine cases of rheu- matism, one only tried the Sulphur water, and came off' worsted — the other eight were cured at the Hot Springs, and without Sulphur water. The results in the above cases, establish incontes- tibly two facts of vital importance to invalids:— 1st, They prove the fallacy of that popular belief by which so many have been influenced, to wit— that a course of Suiphur water is an essential preparative for a course of these; and 2d, That the reverse of this is triLe -that there are many cases in which the Sulphur 66 waters are ineffectual or injurious before, but decidedly benejicial after] a course at the Hot'Springs. One of the most rommon forms of chronic Liver Disease, is that in which the organ is torpid — its secre- tions morbid, scanty, and retained— as in the case of Mr. W. E. Johnson, of Camden, ^. C. The patient is dyspeptic, his bowels costive, skin jaundiced and performing its functions imperfectly, urine scanty and charged with bile, which passes in sufficient quanti- ties through the kidneys and skin to prevent an accu- mulation or redundancy ol it in the cavities of the liver. There are cases in the earlier stages of which the effects of Sulphur water are partial and deceptive. The bowels with the aid of the blue pill are generally acted on, with ^ohite mucous or loatcry discharges — there is a free action on the kidneys and skin — the bile which has been absorbed into the system, passes off through these two channels— the patient soon loses his jaundiced appearance, and is so improved in his general feelings, as to think himself well — but not- withstanding all this, the fountain and origin of all his difficulties, the torpor of his liver, is not relieved ; and after leaving the Spring long enough for the ef- fects of the water to subside, he finds (as was the case with Mr. John L. Wilkins, of Brunswick, for two successive seasons) all his difficulties returned upon him. But when the case is more chronic and the or- gan more torpid — as in Mr. Carlton's and Mr. John- son's on his second year's visit to the White Sulphur, the water disagrees from the commencement. These eases generally terminate in dropsy or diarrhcea, and frequently in a complication with both. The cases of Messrs. Johnson, Carlton, and Palmer, were all three of this nature— these three gentlemen were liv- ing in September last. It is a matter of doubt whether a protracted case of this sort admits of relief, without the intervention of Medicated Thermal Baths. Thermal Mineral Waters, so far as the American 3* physicians are concerned, are as a new and unirkd remedy. This is the only Hot Springs on this side of the Mississippi. But few physicians have visited it — and still fewer have remained long enough to be- come acquainted with the full effects of the water. In Europe, Thermal Springs are numerous and many of them have been frequented and celebrated from one hundred to upwards of two thousand years — and it is to European physicians that we must look for reliable information. Some twelve years ago, three* of the principal German Hot Springs began to attract the attention of English in\^alids. This induced three of the most distinguished English practitioners, Drs. Johnson and Granville, and Mr. Edwin Lee, to visit the continental Springs for several successive sea- sons, and for the purpose of professional observation, information and report. Each of these gentlemen have published works on the subject, which I have imported, as they were not to be had in this country. I have examined these works most attentively. Mr. Lee treats of eighty mineral Springs— twenty-six of them Thermal. Dr. Johnson treats of twenty — twelve of them Thermal — and Dr. Granville treats of thirty-six— eight of them Thermal — in all forty-six Thermal Springs. In no one instance do either of those gentlemen, nor any of the continertal physi- cians from whom they derived information at these different Springs, speak of or advise the sending of patients to cold saline springs, to prepare them lor a course at the Hot Springs: but on the contrary, many patients, after having their torpid systems propeily roused and prepared at the Hot Springs^ are sent to such cold saline, sulphur, or chalybeate springs as may be thought indicated in their respective cases. And at most of these springs, the correctness of this practice has been confirmed by an experience of from one hundred to five hundred years — and moreover, there * Weisbaden, Wildbad, and Carlsbad. 67 is not a Thermal Spring in Europe of which we have any thing like a circumstantial account, that is not celebrated per se for its efficacy in all chronic affections of the biliary and digestive organs and of the uterus. In Europe, diseases intrinsically chronic are treated by Thermal and Chalybeate Waters— diseases of an opposite nature by cold saline aperient and Sulphur- ous Waters, These cases present another consideration of prime importance to the bather, to wit: the necessity of a proper discrimination as to the temperature and man- ticr of applying the baths. In many cases, from one to five Spout Baths produced complete relief, In others, nothing but the Boiler and blankets afforded relief, Mr, Calloway took sixty hot baths in sixty- three days; Mr. Crocket took forty-five Boilers in succession, Mr, Preston thirty-five, Mr. P, A. Brown forty, Mr, Fountain forty-two; they were all cured and are all now living. Mr. Calloway v/as cured forty years ago — Mr. Crocket fifteen — Mr. Pres- ton eighteen — Mr, Brown twenty— Mr, Fountain eighteen. If the treatment of these cases had been reversed, it is doubtful whether a single cure would have been effected ; the Spout Bath could not have relieved the cases which required such long continu- ance of the Boiler; and in the cases cured by the Spouts, the Boiler would inevitably have produced violent if noi fatal excitement. There are two other causes from which bathers at this place suffer; from errors in diet and from indulg- ing in ice water, I have seen many cases in which the effects of the baths were entirely counteracted by its use. Ice in every shape is forbidden by the resident physicians at all the German Hot Springs. COLD AND HOT BATHS CONTRASTED. There is another point involving the comfort and oftentimes safety of invalids, upon which we find our- selves in opposition to the prevailing opinions and practice of the day— that is, the effects of the Cold and of ihe Warm or Hot Bath, in chronic and debili- tated conditions of the system. The ionic and bracing effects of the cold bath, and the debilitating effects of the warm or hot bath, seems to be in the mouth of almost everybody; now we maintain, and shall endeavor to shov/, that precisely ■the reverse of this is true : that cold baths dcbilitoie, and that warm and hot baths strengthen, enfeebled systems. Dr. Bell, in his valuable work on Baths and Mine- ral Waters, lays down the following propositions : that a cold bath is neither stimulant nor to7iic; that its effect on man and aiiimals is sedative; that it produces a general diminution oi function in the nervous and vas- cular systems; that in iveak habits there is no reaction, or it is incomplete; and that here it is directly and une- quivocally enfeebling. These he supports by indisputa- ble facts and irrefragable arguments. The hardy Spartans have been often referred to as an evidence of the tonic effects of the cold bath ; but the treatment and discipline to which the young in Sparta were sub- jected, were so severe, that neatly all the feeble died — none but the naturally robust could survive them. The elucidations of Dr. Johnson on this, are so full and masterly that we shall copy them. " If a person be immersed in cold water, the whole system receives a shock, and the blood is driven rapidly from the ca- pillaries of the surface, upon the interior trunks, whose elasticity enables them to accommodate themselves to this sudden change of balance in the circulation. Reaction next succeeds, more or less quickly, accord- ing to the strength of the constitution. The contract- ile power of the heart and arteries soon overcomes the collapse of the capillaries, and there is a rush of 69 blood 10, and a glow of heat over, the surface of the body. This oscillation, produced partly by ait and partly by nature, is extremely salutary under ordina- ry circumstances, and conducted in a proper manner. The previous torpid capillary and perspiratory vessels of the skin are thus roused, as it were, and distended by the new impulse from within, and ihe whole excre- tory apparatus is put in motion. But this is not all : the various glandular organs of the body sympathize with the skin, a new stimulus is given to their func- tions, and the whole system experiences a kind of renovation, evinced by the lightness, flow of spirits, and pleasant sensations which succeed the cold bath. This reaction or glow is the criterion of salubrity in the practice of bathing, and the sooner it takes place after the immersion the better. I say after the immer- sion, for in very vigorous constitutions it comes on be- fore the person leaves the water. In proportion as the constitution is itjeak, or the action of the heart and arte- ries enfeebled, the access of the reaction will be later and later, and in some it will net come at all — when the bath u highly dangerous. We may thus gain an in- sight into the diseases for which the cold bath offers advantages, and also those where it will in all proba- bility disagree. An erroneous opinion that the cold bath braced, and that the warm bath relaxed, has led thousands laboring under symptonas of debility to use the cold bath, vjxih. direct detriment to theirconstitutions. A very considerable proportion of those complaints characterized by debility, are dependant on organic or functional derangements of the Aeari^; and in these the shock of the cold bath, the sudden afflux of blood from the surface to the centre, and even the effort at reaction are highly deleterious and often dangerous. Again, obstructions or infractions of the liver, spleen, ox any of the glandular organs, offer insuperable bars to the cold bath. Hence we see how accurately should the seat and cause of a patient's disease be investi- g-ated and ascertained, before we thoughtlessly, as is 70 too often the case, recommend the trial of sea-balhing,. when we are tired and foiled in the exhibition of other remedies. The chest and abdomen should be minute- ly examined by percussion and compression — the phe- nomena of the circulation, resflraiion, biliary secretion , &c., carefully scrutinized, before we venture to pre- scribe a measure on which so much of the patient's health, nay, life, may depend. Warm Bath.— The warm bath is used in the east- ern world from the Equator to the Pole ; and the very circumstance of its being considered so refreshing a cordial in hot climates, is a sufficient answer to the popular but erroneous opinion of its debilitating effects. It is true that the effeminate Romans carried this luxury to such a pitch of vicious extravagance, as to bring on it the title of one of the three great destroyers of human life ; but this only proves its abuse^ without at all militating against its salutary operation, when used in moderation. Indeed, if the general use of the warm bath should ever become prevalent in this country, it will probably produce a more beneficial revolution on the health and longevity of the inha- bitants, than any change which the hand of time has ever wrought. So far from weakening or enervating the constitution, it has a decidedly contrary effect, and therefore in debilitated subjects, it is infinitely more proper and saje^ than the cold bath. We have seen that the paramount good effects of the cold bath result from the reaction of the system. Now this re- action is entirely an effort of the constitution to resist, as it were, or undo, what the cold immersion had produced. Here a considerable degree of vital ener- gy is necessary, otherwise some internal viscus may suffer. But the warm bath, say at '^'o* elicits the * In most protracted cases a temp, of ^^ is too low ta equalize the circulation — they require from 98 to 100, anci frequently 106, as in the case of Mrs. Hahrison, and ther« are also many who require the boiler and blankets. 71 blood to the surface of the body, with hardly any ot that reaction observed after the cold bath. The whole cutaneous system of vessels is thus filled with blood, while the vessels of the interior organs are relieved, and that without any particular exertion of the heart, which might render it liable to subsequent exhaustion. This accident, we frequently see follow the cold bath, where the dip has been too short, and ihe reaction too smart. The patient falls back after the glow into a chilly state, during the remainder of the day, an indication of weakness in the circulating organs. On the other hand, when the patient is im- mersed for ten, fifteen or twenty minutes in the warm bath, the spirits are raised, the pulse mended, and the appetite increased; in short, a general renovation is felt throughout the whole frame. The diseases for which the warm bath may be employed are much more numerous than those where the cold bath can be exhibited with safety. A tonic gout, indolent swell- ings of the joints or lymphatic glands, paralysis, scro- fula, chlorosis— almost the whole class of cutaneous diseases— cAroTiic obstructions of the liver and other abdaminal viscera, nephtitic and calculous disorders, colic, enteritis, (particularly where the vascular ac- tion is reduced and the obstipation is violent,) and a multitude of other "ills flesh is heir to," are removed or mitigated by this sovereign and potent medicinal agent. That the invalid may have an opportunity to con- trast the medicinal effects of the Virginia Hot Springs with those of some of the most celebrated Hot Springs of Europe, we offer for his consideration the following extracts from the works of Drs. Johnson and Gran- ville, and Mr. Edwin Lee, three distinguished Brit- ish physicians, on three of the most efficacious Ther- mal Springs of Germany, Weisbaden, Wild bad and Carlsbad. 72 WEISBADEN. The highest temperature here is 157 deg. of Fah- renheit. It is remarked by Dr. Richtbr, that as the greater number of patients at Weisbaden are afflicted with gouty or rheumatic complaints, so they must expect to experience the specific effects of the waters more sensibly than other people. It is not uncommon^ therefore, for these to suffer, at the beginning of the course, very high states of excitement, pain, and even inflammation of the parts involved in the original malady. This may be encouragement to persever- ance; but it may also prove extremely hazardous. The following case from Dr. Peez will exemplify this remark : " The abdomen of a lady aged fifty two years, hav- ing been aflMcted for a long time with fldhora abdo- 7ninalis, began at last to swell and grov/ hard, her complexion being tinged with a greyish-yellow color, whilst her organs of digestion were impaired at the same time. She was particularly alarmed by occa- sional palpitaiions of her heart, most commonly trou- bling her at night and obliging her to quit her bed. Having batbed in, and drunk our thermal water, the palpitation grew more violent and rendered it neces-. sary that a small quantity of blood should be taken from her occasionally. " In the third week of the course, she was seized with a copious purgatiooi of morbid secretions, when the palpitations vanished — the abdomen became saft — the complexion cleared — aiad she was soon well.'* Now it is clear that this good lady labored 'ander congestion of the liver, jaundice, and loaded bowels. Nature rescued her from the heat of the Kochbrunnen., 7S by a process which ought to have been instituted three weeks belbre.* I shall endeavor to shew in other places, that these crises, Spa-fevers, bad-sturms, and le-actions, described by foreign writers on the Spas, are ofien attributable to the want of combining some mild mer- curial alterative and aperient with the use of the waters. Many cures are prevented or rendered inef- fectual by the dread of mercury entertained by the German physicians. We shall now advert to the remarks of Dr. Rich- ter, who has published a very sensible little treatise on the Weisbaden waters, in the year 1839. Group of Disorders in which the waters, EITHER internal OR EXTERNAL, OR BOTH, ARE LIKELY TO BE USEFUL. 1. Complaints having their scat hi the abdo-minal or- gans, and especially in the biliary apparal^is. The signs or indications of these are — acidities, eructations, furred tongue, troubled digestion, loss of appetite, sense of tightness or oppression about the stomach and bowels, after food; costiveness, or relaxed bow- els; congestion about the liver, wiih or without en- largement of that organ; hypochondriasis or hyste- ria ; haemorrhoids and their consequences ; irritations * In this case there was a degree of^ torpor rendering the ordinary remedies ineffectual. The heat of the Kochbrun- nen overcame that torpor, and restored to nature her lost energies, by which she was enabled to throw off this load of disease. It is highly probable that the timely exhibition of a suitable cathartic, would have relieved this lady, as the ten grains of calomel did Mr. Coleman, at the Hot Springs. There is a most striking similarity between this case and that of Mr. Tournoii-, who was relieved here by the Spout Bath. This lady was indebted most clearly not to nature — but to the Kochbrunnen for relief. 4 74 about the kidneys and bladder; sequences of resi- dence in tropical climates. 2. The various forms of Go7it, and their sequeTices. — ■ Besides the regular or periodical gout, Dr. Richter enumerates ihe multitudinous forms which it assumes when latently preying on difFereni organs and struc- tures. There is no end to the Proieian features of masked gout — extending as they do from the terrific lacerations of tic douloureux down to the ir.ost ano- malous morbid feeling, whether iniernal or external. "In all ihese," Dr. R. avers, "the waters and baths of Weisbaden aie eminently beneficial." The baths, when assisted by the mternal use of the waters, bring anomalous and latent gout into its proper place and form— into the extremities, thus relieving the interior, 3. Paralysis, general or local. The sequence of apo- plectic attacks, or the consequences of metastases of gout, rheumatism, or cutaneous eruptions from the surface to the brain or spine — also those paralytic affections occasioned by the poisons of lead,* arsenic, mercury, &c. or contusions or other injuries of the head and back. Dr. Richter cautiously observes that, during the use of the Weisbaden waters for the fore- going class of complaints, it will often be necessary to bleed, cup, or leech, as well as to take aperient medicines from time to time, under the guidance of the medical attendant. 4. Scrofulous complaints, of all kinds and degrees. 5. Rheumatism^ with its various consequences. Of course it is chronic rheumatism that is here meant, with enlargements of joints, contractions, effusions into the capsular ligaments, &c., which attend on and follow that painful class of diseases. I shall close this chapter with an extract from a little work on the Spa of Nassau, published in 1839, by my friend, Mr. Lee, who practised three years at * See the case of Mr. Lewis. 75 Weisbader., and made himself well acquainted with the remedial efficacy of these waters. "The waters of Weisbaden are highly beneficialin all those nervous pains recurring in paroxysms affect- ing the branches of particular nerves of the face, head, or extremities, to which the term neuralgia or tic is generally applied, and which not unfrequently originate from a rheumatic or gouty diathesis, from the suppression of habitual discharges, or of cuta- neous eruptions — which causes, thongh perhaps some- what exaggerated by continental practitioners, are not sufficiently attended to in England — are more likely to be relieved and cured by a properly directed course of mineral waters, than by pharmaceutical remedies or local applications. To many of these cases Weisbaden would be exceedingly applicable, especially when the functions of the skin are slug- gishly performed, and there exists a congested state of the abdominal or pelvic viscera, with retardation, or irregularity of the periodical secretion in females. " The state of abdominal plethora, with congestion of the liver, and obstruction in the circulation of the vena porlse, with its consequence, as impaired diges- tion, deftcient or vitiated biliary secretion, piles, &c. — occurring for the most part in persons about or beyond the middle period of life, who have been addicted to the pleasures of the table, and marked by more or less pro- tuberance of the abdomen, with diminished muscular and nervous energy — is one well calculated to be re- lieved by the use of the Weisbaden waters internally and externally employed. The baths by exciting the activity of the nervous and vascular systems, and by determining powerfully to the surface, tend most ma- terially to equalize the circulation and remove the internal congestion, while by the internal use of the water, the secretions of the mucous membranes, of the alimentary canal, of the liver and kidneys, are improved in quality, and often perceptibly increased in quantity ;— at the same time that the mesenteric 76 glands and absorbent vessels are stimulated to in- creased activity, and the digestion is consequently improved. Even when, under these circumstances, the drinking of the water is not followed by immediate sensible effects either upon the bowels or 'kidneys, it is frequently not the less efficient on that account, and unless some inconvenience be experienced, it should be persisted in, as after a certain time copious critical cvacuatiojis* will often occur, and be followed by immediate relief; whereas were similar effects produced by artificial means, as the exhibition of drugs, the relief would only be temporary and the fre- quent repetition of the same or analogous measures, would be necessary, and would tend but little to the permanent amelioration of the patient. In several of these cases, especially where there exists hardness or tension in the region of the liver, spleen, or in other parts of the abdomen, the douche will be of material assistance in the treatment." "In many cases of paralysis, baths of mineral wa- ters offer the most efficient, and often the only means of arousing the nervous energy of the system, and of the paralyzed parts; and few have a more beneficial influence in this v\ray than those of Weisbaden; but here again it cannot always be determined before- hand, that baths of this kind will be more effectual than those of other springs containing but a smalt proportion of solid and gaseous substance, as the lat- ter occasionally succeed after the failure of the for- mer. In the obscurity which still envelopes the mode of action of mineral baths, this cannot be satisfacto- rily accounted for, except upon the principle of idio- syncrasy, or by the supposition that the disturbing action of a thoroughly impregnated spring is less adapted to certain of these cases, than the more tran- * See the case of Elliot Gray, at the Virginia Hot Springs, and that of the lady at Weisbaden reported by Dr. Richter. 7f quillizing and sedative influence of a simple thermal, or slightly alkaline, warm spring. In most instances,^ iiowever, where there does not exist a high degree ot nervous excitability, or tendency to fulness in the cerebral vessels, the baths of Weisbaden may be used with great prospect of advantage; especially when •the complaint is of a rheumatic origin, depending upon the impression of poisoncms influences upon the nervous system, as malaria, the abuse of mercury, or '*he employment of this and some other metals of workmen ; as also in those cases, where the disease appears to be of a purely local nature, not connected with cerebral disease, but arising from deficient ener- gy of the nerves of the part, or of the spinal marrow, consequent upon exposure to cold or wet, or other analogous causes. Even in paralysis affecting a linib or one side of the body, remaining after an apoplectic seizure, baths of this and other mineral waters may of- ten be advantageously employed, provided there be no symptoms of cerebral congestion, or organic disease. Pletlioric individuals, and those whose digestive or- gans are disordered, will frequently require some pre- paratory treatment, previous to using the baths, in pa- ralytic, as well as in other diseases. These, then, are the principal diseases which the Weisbaden waters are more especially calculated to relieve, and in which their use in the form of baths and douches is the most essential part of the treatment. There are besides various other complaints to which the external or in- ternal use of the water, or both combined, is extreme- ly suitable, in common with several other mineral springs; but of which the peculiar circumstances of each case require to be investigated, in order to ena- ble the practitioner to decide upon the springs likely to be most effectual. Of these many scrofulous affec- tions will be cured or greatly ameliorated by the in- ternal and external application of these waters; par- ticularly enlarged lymphatic glands of various parts, and of the mesentery, occurring in children or young 78 persons of a torpid habit, with tumid upper lip and abdomen, a vitiated state of the intestinal secretions, and a harsh dry condition of the skin. Here the ex- citing and resolvent powers of the waters are exceed- ingly effectual, by improving and augmenting the secretions of the alimentary canal, and of the skin ; and, by stimulating the absorbent and vascular sys- tems, mostly cause the speedy diminution of glandu- lar or bony swellings. "Another case in which the Weisbaden springs are often eminently serviceable, is, where there is a gene- ral disordered state of the health, without the exist- ence of any actual disease, or material derangement of any particular functions, except perhaps impaired digestive powers — as is very frequently seen in Lon- doners, and inhabitants of other large cities, closely engaged in trading, mercantile or professional occu- pations; as also in those who have been resident in a tropical or unhealthy climate; such a state, though relieved and palliated for a time by medicines, not unfrequently terminates in serious functional or struc- tural disease, if allowed to continue for a long period — and nothing v/ould tend more effectually to its remo- val than lempoiary absence from the cares of avoca- tion, change of air and mode of life and the employ- ment of a mineral spring like Weisbaden, followed by that of a chalybeate water, in those cases where it is not counter-indicated. "The suppression or painful performance of peri- odical functions peculiar to females, is frequently be- nefited by the Weisbaden baths; especially, if the cause be cold, checked perspiration, or a congested state of the abdominal or pelvic viscera. n WILDBAD. The highest temperature at Wildbad is 100 deg. of Fahrenheit. "It is to be remembered that a majority of the bathers experience the reaction fever in the course of the treatment. The period of its occurrence is uncer- tain, and often it is so slight as to pass almost unob- served by the patient. This, however, is the critical moment precursory of the cure. This state of irrita- tion seldom lasts more than a few days, and generally disappears without any internal medicine. This re- action is precisely that which ought to inspire the greatest hopes in the patient, as it announces a change in his constitution and a victory over his malady. The disagreeable sensation, however, which he leels, often puts him out of humor with the baths, especially if old pains and discomforts, that had ceased, now re- appear, which they often do. He becomes impatient and morose when he is revisited by rheumatic pains, neuralgia, gout, haemorrhoids, &c., which he had thought to be extinct. Such reaction, however, is itidispensable towards the victory of nature and the baths over the disease for which they were employed. The waters of Wildbad, indeed, are remarkable for this reproduction of old disorders, at the moment they are eradicating the more recent ones."— Z>/-. Hci?n. These most important properties of the waters oi Wildbad, says Dr. Johnson, are passed entirely unno- ticed by Dr. Granville, and from my own knowledge, several English have left Wildbad, at the very time they were on the point of experiencing the greatest benefits. This reaction, or bath fever, is common, as I have shown, to most of the medical waters, as was seen under the head of Weisbaden, Kissengen, &c. 80 At the former place I saw several well marked in- stances of it and satisfied myself ot its reality. I have not found any description of it in the accounts of the German Spas published in England. It is a subject of the greatest importance to the invalid. The following case is related by Dr. Kaiser, for- merly director of these baths. I have greatly abridged it. An officer aged twenty-six years, fell down a flight of stone stairs, and pitched on the right haunch, or hip bone. He was stunned to insensibility, from which he slowly recovered. When examined, the right leg and thigh were cold as ice ; but no fracture or dislo- cation could be discovered. He was confined several weeks to his bed, and then could only hobble about on crutches with great pain. At length he was able to dispense with the crutches, but every motion of the limb caused great agony. He tried the waters and baths of Weisbaden, but experienced no benefit. — Thirteen months after the accident, and when the excruciating pains had rather gained than lost lorce, he came to Wildbad. The first bath produced no sensible efl^ect. The second called forth some pains in the loins, where he had felt no inconvenience pre- viously. These augmented after the third bath till the seventh, M'hen they became so violent that he could not stand, and was confined to his bed. At this time he suddenly experienced a most painful sense of coldness in the right loot, which was suc- ceeded by heat, reaction, and ultimately a profuse perspiration over the whole limb, and even in the loins. From that time he was able lo move the leg without pain, and quickly regained the power of walk- ing without a stick. The Wildbad baths are celebrated for the removal of those various pains and aches which not seldom attend old gunshot and other wounds. A case is re- lated of an officer who had been wounded in the arm by a musket ball in the late war, and who was harass- Bl ed by pains in the site of the wound for man)^ years afterwards. The use of the Wildbad baths re-opened the wound, from whence a piece of flannel was dis- charged, and the pains ceased. These waters are considered to be specific in cer- tain female complaints which are difficult of removal, and subversive of health in too many instances. It is to be remarked, thai it is not in all persons that the reaction above alluded to takes place. In many there is a gradual amelioration of health, with- out any perturbation of ihe constitution and only marked by an increased action in the functions of the skin and kidneys — someiimes of the bowels.* " On the other hand," says Professor Heim, "where the malady is obstinate, there is a greater struggle in the constitution attended wiih considerable fever, dis- order of the secretions, irritation of the nervous sys- tem, full pulse, restless nights, distressing dreams, loss of appetite, dry hot skin, occasional hsemorrhoidal discharges, purging, gouty attacks, cutaneous erup- tions, &c., which precede a restoration of health." These are trials which require the fortitude of the patient, and the vigilance ol the physician. It is not to be wondered at, that when they occur in the stran- ger and especially in the English invalid, who has little confidence in the foreign practitioner, and finds himself ill in a secluded valley like that of Wildbad, great alarm should be produced, and much prejudice raised against the baths and waters of the place. The worst of it is, that a similar train of disorders may arise from an injudicious use of the baths, and where no salutary crisis is the result. These are circumstances which ought lo be pointed out to our countrymen and women, who are too often led to distant mineral waters and baths by flowery descriptions and miracalous cures, without any warn- * See the cases of Messrs. Carlton — Carter — Brent — Hamlin. 8i ing as to the consequences that may ensue — whether salutary or dangerous. The concealment of this Spa or bath fev^er, is any thing but beneficial either to the waters or the water-drinkers. It deceives the one and injures the reputation of the other. The local physicians of these mineral springs never omit to point out the consequences of batliing in and drinking ihe waters, as I have already shown by several quo- tations; and it is highly desirable that all Spa-goers should be aware of them. Cutaneous eruptions are frequent consequences of the WiJdbad waters, and are considered salutary. The kidneys, next to the skin, show the greatest sen- sibility to the action of these waiers. In some people (especially where the waters are drunk as well as bathed in,) a most copious and clear secretion is pro- duced; but this is seldom a critical or saluiary dis- charge. It is when the secretion from the kidneys is deep colored, sedimcntous, and exhaling a peculiar odor, especially in gouty subjects, that benefit may be confidently anticipated. The bowels are seldom acted on by these waters— more frequently, indeed, constipation is the result, requiring aperient medi- cine both before and during the course. " The hemor- rhoidal and monthly periods are promoted by the waters, thus relieving plethoric fulness of the abdo- minal organs. In dispositions to rheumatism, er}'sipelas, cuta- neous complaints, catarrhal affections, neuralgia, chlorosis, (green sickness,) tubercles, scrofula, diffi- cult and premature accouchments, the waters of Wildbad are strongly recommended. Professor Heim warns the patient not to be discou- raged, even if he leaves the waters unrelieved, or worse than when he commenced the course. The cure will often follow, when the individual has regain- ed his home, weeks or months after leaving Wildbad. 83 Disorders for which the waters of Wildbad are chiefly used. Dr. Fricker has laid open to Professor Heim the records of twent)^-five years' observation and expe- rience of these waters : from which, and also from his own practice, the latter physician has, in ten chap- ters, classified the maladies for which the baths and waters have been employedj detailingnumerous cases, and superaddinij commentaries of his own. It will be necessary to skim lightly over the heads of these chapters, in order to shew the properties of the Wild- bad Spa in its direct application to practice, 1, Rheumatism , Gout, and their consequences. "Our baths have always maintained great reputation for the cure of these tv/o classes of tormenting maladies, arising from different causes, but presenting many traits of character in common." The author cautions the bather against using the baths, w here there is any acuie or even subacute inflammation in the joints, muscles, or internal organs. It is in the chronic and painful forms of gout and rheumatism, together with their numerous consequences, that the Wildbad wa- ters will be found beneficial — indeed, according to the authors abovementioned, almost infallibly curative, Messrs. Fricker and Heim trace many cases of tic, vertigo, deafness, affections of the sight, asthmatic coughs, intermissions of pulse, tracheal and bronchial affections, &c. to suppressed gout, and rheumatism, as they are often removed by the baths and waters. 2. Affections of the Spinal Marrow, and its consequen- ces, Paralysis. Diseases of the spinal marrow are sel- dom recognised in their early stages, not indeed till the symptoms of paralysis begin to show themselves in the limbs. This class of complaints is daily aug- menting in number, as the baths of Wildbad can tes- tify. These waters have, says M. Heim, often dissi- pated the symptoms which usually precede attacks 84 of paralysis, and therefore, if used early, would be more useful than when taken after the paralysis is actually developed. But even here, it is averred that the progress of the malady is frequently arre.^ted, and an amelioration procured. When the paralysis of the lower extremities is complete — when the individual is no longer able to walk or stand, without assistance, the waters of Wild- bad have often produced wondeiful effects in restor- ing power — indeed, it is curious that, according to tho physicians aforesaid, these baths are frequently more successful in these cases than in those which are not so far advanced towards a complete paralysis. An immense number of cases are detailed by Dr. Heim under this head; and I am tempted to extract one, which is the case of a countryman of our own, "A young English gentleman, after bathing in a river the water of which was very colJ, became com- pletely paralytic of the lower extremities. He came to Wildbad, and, withouL consulting any physician, commenced the warmest of the baths. At the end of a fortnight he found himself so considerably improv- ed, that he was able to lay aside his crutches, and walk by the aid of a cane. At this time the corona- tion of our youthful queen was announced, and the patient determined to assist at the ceremony. He bore the journey well, and returned to Wildbad after a few weeks without any relapse. He took a second course of the baths, and left Wildbad ultimately in a very improved condition." Those paralyses which affect one side only, are almost universally the result of an apoplectic attack. "When these attacks have been occasioned by sup- pressed hemorrhoidal discharges— eruptions of the skin suddenly extinguished, engorgements or obstruc- tions of the organs of the abdomen, female obstruc- tions at a certain period of life, metastases of gout or rheumatism; in such cases of hemiplegia, the Wild- bad waters have proved serviceable, and it is delight- 85 ful to see so many of these paralytics leave Wildbad every season with firm steps, although confined for years previously lothe couch or crutches." Professor Heim wisely cautions those who have been of a plethoric constitution, from too free an use of the baths, till they have ascertained how they agree with their constitutions. Before any amelioration takes place, the patient generally experiences some pricking pains and tinglings in the paralyzed parts, followed by a sense of heat, perspiration, and increase of feeling. To these symptoms succeed a gradual restoration of muscular power, accompanied by a sense of electrical sparks passing along the nerves. Numerous ca: you say: "It is further said that Dr. G. in his professional capacity, has forbid patients going to the table, and then made extra charges for meals so furnished." Now, sir. there is a degree of turpitude involved in such a course from which all honesty shrinks ; and one might suppose that a man as well acquainted as you say you are with that system of lying which has prevailed so long in relation to our Spring owners, v/ould have received with some little allowance a charge so serious, and more especially when made against one to whom the least he had awarded was common sense and integrity of purpose. I deny that any such charge has ever been made under the circumstances, and pronounce the accusa- tion a maliciaus falsehood ; and as you have volunteered to give it a new and more permanent currency — by your publication and quasi endorsation — I can but View your conduct as more detestable than that of the cowardly character assassin who forged the charge , 92 for you could have learned from me the truth in rela- lion to it at any time in six days by mail. Your libellous boG~k will be further noticed in a hand bill, to meet the visiters now collecting at the different Springs. I am your obedient servant, THOMAS GOODE. Hot Springs, UtJi July, 1846. To this he made through the same channel the fol- lowing reply: To Dr. Thomas Goode, Hot Springs, Va. Sir, — I notice with pain a communication in the Whig of this morning, addressed by you to myself. You, especially, complain of the following sentence ill my work on the "Mineral Springs of Virginia." "It has been furthr:r said that Dr. O, in his profes- sional capacity, has forbid patients going to the table, and then made extra charges for meal's so famished." I could have wished you had given the \vhole para- graph, as it stands in connexion with the preceding and subsequent clauses. I will supply the omission " It is complained, that besides charging ten dollars for board, per week, he charges, in addition, for meals furnished at the cabins. It is apparent that the propriety of this charge depends, altogether, upon the fact, whether the individual is able to ap- pear at the public table or not; if he is, and is dis- posed to produce unnecessary trouble and expense, he ought to pay for it; but if he be an invalid, it is misfortune enough, without any additional tax. It has been further said that Dr. G. in his professional capacity, has forbid patients going to the table, and then made extra charges for the meals so furnished. We trust this is not so; but if it has happened, "most undoubiedly it is good cat;se of disapprobation. — Such reports should be listened to with great caution, for alas! there is too much proneness in 'human na- 93 ■lure to exaggerate every supposed wrong." Now I :tra attendance of servants, are perfectly preposterous. Will you pretend to say ihal because a man is afflicted, he has the right to come here and require from me a nurse to dress and undress him, to take him to and from the baths, to have his meals sent three times a day to his roon), and after all to have me charge him no more for his board and baihing than the ordinary price to those who go of themselves to the baths and public table? I admit, sir, that it is a "misfortune" for a man to be an invalid: but is it not much more just and equita- ble that every man bear his oivn misforture, than that aiie man should be made to bear the misfortunes of many, as you would have me to do, by making no charge for extra trouble, however great? With alt due deference to your opinion upon the subject, I should think common justice demanded that the ex- tra expense necessarily involved in accommodating 95 Many of the sick that come here, should be borne by the dck tkemsdveSj rather than by the proprietor. In regard to the difference in price between a bath here and at the Svreet and Warm Springs, I would ytate, first, that a temperate and pleasure bath are now but twenty-five cents each ; secondly, that my bathing establishment is more extensive, costing with the fixtures, about S5,000, and requiring six grown hands to attend it. All the baths— except the sweat bath — are spouts, and can accommodate but one person at a lime, or four persons per hour. At the Sweet and Warm the baths are larger, admitting a dozen or more at the same time, so that while we are bathing one, they can bathe a dozen and more, and of course cnn afford to charge less. The contrast which you have seen fit to draw be- tween Dr. Stribling and myself, involves a vile as- persion, and you stand, on your own record, the au- thor and sole cause of its publication. No sir- though I claim no exemption from the common frail- ties of our nature — it is not my u?ildndness, but the "thousand and one" slanders, such as you have re- corded in your book, that have kept so many stran- gers from visiting the Hot Springs. I once thought, sir, that I had reason to expect better things from you than giving permanency and circulation to such rumors — rumors of which you give no other account than, "// is said:'' while on the very next page of your book, "you aver that you have never v/itne^sed any thing in my demeanor that did not comport with the well-bred gentleman." You also state in your reply to my card, that "I have totally misconceived your intentions in regard to those reports. You de- sired to place them in a tangible form, that I might meet them in detail. You never did believe the ac- cusation referred to, nor a thousand others equally absurd — and notwithstanding the rough language I tise in my letter, you feel yourself called upon by a sense (?f justice to me, as well as to yourself, to ex-^ 96 press your ioial disbelief of any tliiag more than some excitability of temperament, to which the best men are subject.'' "O, consistency ihou art a jewel!" "You never believed the accusation referred to, nop a thousand others equally absurd— you only desired to place them in a tangible form ihat I mjght meet them in detail!" Why then did you not give me an opportunity to refute them in the very edition of the book in which you sent them forth 1 If "you never did believe" the accusations, and refutation was youj sole object in publishing them, would not justice to me, and simple humanity to those whose maladies might be removed by these waters, have indicated, the course suggested, rather than sending them abroad in a permanent form, to do both me and the invalid siill greater, i"3jury 1 Could you expect me to be in every place where your book might go, to refute its teeming calumnies? But you only desired to place them in a tangible form, that I might relute them in detail! Credat, Judseus apella— non egol! "You feel yourself called upon by a sense of justice to me,, as well as to yourself, to express your total disbelief oi any thing more than some excitability of tempera- ment, to which the best of men are subject:" if such be indeed the case in regard to my temperament, may not su.ch "excitability" have, been provoked, if not created, by. persons coming here with their minds poisoned against m.e by the accusations referred to, and also ei:pecting to find me an extortioner and churl, treated me accordingly! Hundreds of stran- gers, 05 visiting these Springs, have expressed their surprise otj Unding me to be neither. I have long known, sir, that I. had exQi,ted the implacable hatred of some to whom I have uniformly refused th^ privi- lege of occupying: a portion of my premises for gaming and licentiovsness,, and who have in conse- quence for years. been forging and retailing suach, ac- cusations as you specify in. ypui; bo.ok — b^Jl i,aiu 97 wholly ignorant of having given other persons aay jtist grounds for complaint. I can but regard your interference in this matter as unprovoked and uncalled for, impertinent and mis- chievous. But as you have assumed the office of censor, grand judge, and rectifier of tie morals of the day, filed a bill of indictment, and issued your citation against me to show cause why sentence should not be passed upon me at your next sitting, in order to enable you to judge correctly of the truth or falsity of the charges which you have docketed, and to de- termine whether the opposite to the character awarded to Doctor Stribling be indeed mmr, I invite your at- tention to the following communications — communi- cations from persons whose characters are above re- proach, whose motives must be above suspicion.^ Hot Springs, July, 1843. Mr. Editor, — It cannot be otherwise than known to persons visiting our mountains for their health, that there are many reports afloat highly injurious to Dr. GooDE, proprietor and landlord of the Hot Springs ;— such as his being exorbitant in his charges, rude and overbearing in his manners, and careless of the comfort of his visiters. By whom these reports were put in circulation, we do not know; nor has our acquaintance with Dr. Goode given us any reason whatever to believe them true. As to the accommo- dations here, we have never met with their superior at any watering place in the State; every thing about our rooms, cabins and baths is characterized by com- fort and neatness; a better table is seldom spread; or a more polite and attentive body of servants to be met with. And as to Dr. Goode himself, we — and some of us have been here several seasons in succes- sion— Aai?c/(?it?i(i him to be any thing else than lohat these 5 98 reporU repi-esented him to be. We believe him to be a gentleman, as also a skilful physician, and we know that he is a kind and attentive one. And we can assure all who do not know him personally, that he spares no pains to render the stay of his visiters not only comfortable, but agreeable. Nor do we volun- teer this assurance upon a slight acquaintance: for many of us, and some of us with our families, have been here, as already mentioned, several seasons in succession. And what is quite remarkable, some of us are yearly beset at several points in our routes by the same persons with the same representations, evi- dently doing all in their power to dissuade us from visiting these Springs. What can be their objects Is it to benefit the sick and suffering, or whaf? — The persons who make them may believe the representa- tions; but we have never seen the slightest founda- tion for them. Again we ask, what can be their object in making them? We would not, however, judge the motives of their conduct. We neither justify nor condemn them for what they have done. If they stand justified at the bar of their own consciences, we shall arraign them at no other. Perhaps, howevei , you ask us our motive in making this counter statement. Our motive, sir, is obvious enough. In the first place, we wish to do justice to Dr. GooDE, who has been so injuriously and so per- severingly misrepresented; and, in the second place, as many invalids have been dissuaded by these repre- sentations from coming here, we also wish to disabuse their minds, that they also may derive from these waters the blessings that we have derived from them. There are many obstinate and most painful diseases which, we believe, these Springs, and these Springs alone, can reach and remove. Wherefore, to circu- late such reports as those mentioned, is not only tri- fling with the feelings and property of an individual, but is also trifling with ihe comfort, and perhaps lives of many. We, therefore, take this public manner of m contradicting them, and say to all invalids who think hese waters may benefit them, give no heed whatever to ih:se injurious representatiorcs, but come directly on and ascertam what our landlord and his Springs are for yourselves. We shall be greatly disappoilted if you ever lament your visit on account of any thing that you will meet with here. ^ We hope this letter will be copied by all Editors who would see justice done to a misrepresented gen- tleman and who also desire to see their fellow crea- w'<'"fl Y^'^5.''''^f ^^ ^^^ "^°st painful diseases that "flesh is heir to." James M. Morris, M. D., Louisa county, Va John Minor, M. D, Albemarle county, Va. Wm. S. WHfTE, Charlottesville, Va. John W. C. Watson, Abingdon, Va. J. Anthony, Buchanan, Va. Jesse L. Hopkins, Liberty, Va. John S. Dancy, Tarboro', N. C. Robert Norpleet, do. do. David Caldwell, Amherst, Va. J. J. Fackler, Hunts ville, Ala. Simmons B. Staton, N. C Samuel G. Ward, Clarksyille, Tenn Thomas H. Bullock, Lynchburg. Henry Mordecai, Raleigh, N. C. R. B Kirkpatrick, Philadelphia' Penna, C. Iaylor. do. do D. Bragg, Mobile, Ala. Wm. Walker, do. do. Richmond Terrell, Albemarle, Va G C Shattuck, M. D., Boston, Mass. W. H. Neal, Salem, do. Martin Tounoir, Louisiana. John Vowles, Charlottesville, Va Mrs. L. A. VowLES, do. do Mary E.Kelly, do. do.' ^' JJ'^'^TS, do. do. E. DpNKUM, do. do. 100 William H, Terrill, Warm Springs. Hy. Massie, Alleghany. Thomas S. Gholson, Petersburg. Philadelphia, 9th Feb., 1846. I have lived at the Hot Springs with Dr. Goode for five consecutive summers, and for the last four, not only settled the bills, but superintended the whole establishment; and no charge was made on the books without my knowledge. One of the false reports which I was frequently com- pelled to contradict, was that of an extra charge being made for children eating between ihe regular meals. To the bsst of my knowledge, no extra charge has ever been made, nor has any child ever been refused a meal when asked for. But on the contrary, I have often heard Dr. Goode tell the children and their nurses, to go to the housekeeper whenever they were hungry, and which theyeither invariably did, or had food sent to their cabins whenever it was requested. It has also been reported, and the question has been frequently asked me whether Dr. Goode charges $5 merely for telling an individual what bath to begin with'? My answer invariably was, / never kneio of sii>ch a charge being made. For the last four seasons, all the medical charges made by Dr. Goode, with but few exceptions, were paid to me, and in no single in- stance have I received a medical bill, without, to my certain knowledge, the individual having sought and ob- tained medical advice, and in a large majority of cases, medicine also was furnished. SAMUEL F. FEW. Dear Sir,— About to leave your Springs after a stay of seven weeks— justice to yourself, as well as a desire to benefit the victim of disease in pursuit of 101 health, induces me to leave with you the following statement, to be disposed of as you may think proper. Arriving at your Spring a stranger and an invalid, I found a quiet and most comfortable home, attentive and respectful servants, and in yourself an obliging landlord — and, judging from results, a judicious phy- sician. And when, after a few days' slay, the Viruii- cation of your former visiters met my eye, I was dis- posed to regard it as uncalled for — rhe defence of one conscious of his own rectitude and merits, but too keenly alive to the remarks of the unprincipled and worthless. Subsequent events and conversations with persons visiting the various Springs, convinced me that the prejudice against you as a physician and proprietor of the Hot Springs was more widely spread than 1 at first supposed — not only tending to injure you, but unhappily calculated to deter the in- valid from using your baths, when the happy result to others similarly diseased indicated them as the surest if not the only remedy. The strangor will find the reports to be want of courtesy, rudeness of manners, indifference to the comfort of visiters, price of baths, exorbitant and un- looked for medical charges, &c. To such 1 would say, I found the charges for board, medical advice and incidental expenses only as advertised in your bills and as reasonable as at the other watering places in the vicinity. My long stay at the Hot Springs is the best evidence 1 can offer of the kind treatment I received. WM. SISSON, of Indiana. To Dr. GooDE. 11th Sept., 1846. Hot Springs, 11th August, 1844, Dr. GooDE : Dear Sir,— I design leaving here to-day, and should do violence to my feelings, were I to do so without 6* 102 tenderins: to you my warmest acknowledgments for your truly kind and polite attentions to me since my arrival here. Among the many kind acts of your life, there is one for which I have been long wishing an opportu- nity to thank you — your kindness to my dear mother when she so much needed kind solace. I allude to the time of my beloved father's death. Yes, my dear sir, for your kindness to my mother at that time, I tender, and beg you to accept, the thanks of a truly grateful heart. My mother often alludes to it with grateful feelings, and desired me before I left her to remind you of it, and to present to you her respects. I am, most respectfullv, your ob't serv't, J. W. COTTER, of N. Carolina. Hot Springs, 10th Sept., J 844. (extract.) Of your kind and friendly attentions to me, I shall feel it my duty to speak wherever God in his provi- dence may cast my lot. D. G. DOAK, of Clarkesville, Va. Richmond, 2ith Nov., 1845. (extract.) Remember me kindly to Mrs. G. and your family, and accept for yourself the assurance of high esteem and unaltered gratitude to you and yours for your kind attentions to me while under your care. J. R. HARRISON. Essex County, 23^ Jan., 1846. (extract.) 1 take this occasion to tender to you my acknow- ledgments for the kind and friendly treatment I have 103 uniformly received from you and your attendants during my several visits to the Hot Springs. GEO. WRIGHT. Albemarle, bth May, 1846. I beg leave to say that Mrs, Coles and myself were some weeks with you in 1844, and we do not hesitate to say that the attentions of yourself and family were of the most gratifying kind. Your cabins were very comfortable, your servants attentive, and your table as well provided as any we have ever met with in our frequent visits to the different mineral springs in our country. TUCKER COLES. Mrs. John Coles spent the last season of 1845 at the Hot Springs, and we cordially unite in the above statement. JOHN COLES. Prince Edward, M March, 1846. I have spent a part of three seasons with you at the Hot Springs, and remaining with you about three weeks each visit — it gives me pleasure to declare that I considered all the accommodations for your visiters not only good but excellent. I have never known any thing rude, overbearing or offensive in your conduct towards them, or any carelessness or neglect of their comfort. Your attentions to me and my family when I have had a part of them with me, have been uniformly and unexceptionably kind and polite, and we never felt the want of any comfort, which could be reasonably desired or expecied. HENRY E. WATKINS. 104 Extract from tJie Boston Medical and Surgical Journal of July 1, 1846. "The Hot Springs of Virginia. — A pamphlet of ninety-five pages— called the Invalid's Guide to these celebrated fountains of health — brings to recollection some pleasant excursions over the Alleghany Moun- tains, in by-gone times. Besides being a directory, this compact pocket assistant contains an account of the medical properties of the Hot Spring waters, with cases illustrative of their effects, together with an account of the medical application and effects of the waters of Weisbaden, Wildbad and Carlsbad — three of the most celebrated hot springs of Germa- ny, &c. This little manual is by Thomas Goode, M. D., the proprietor of the establishment. On look- ing over the pages, we regret to find that Dr. Goode has suffered from the misstatements of his enemies, who fain would have the public believe that he is an extortioner in regard both to professional fees and hotel charges. It was not necessary for Dr. Goode to meet such injurious representations, as no one, it is believed, whose opinion or influence is worth hav- ing, would be influenced by the stories of persons who fatten on evil reports. From personal observa- tion at the springs, from intercourse with invalids who have been under Dr. Goode's care, and, lastly, from an agreeable interview with him ourselves, we voluntarily offer our own rebutting testimony, and gladly improve this occasion for saying that the Hot Springs are powerful remedial agents, and the pro- prietor a judicious medical adviser. Sick or well, when from home, we never expect to be in more de- lightful quarters, nor under the euidance of a kinder, more sensible or upright landlord, than we found at the Hot Springs of Virginia." 106 This book is now before the public for the third season, and so far as I know, or believe, Mr. Burke has made no effort to protect me against its further injurious effects. All he has said upon the subject was drawn from him by my note of the 14th July, 1846; and so far as he is concerned, his disclaimer died with the daily newspaper that contained it, while his book has been extensively circulated, creating and confirming the most violent prejudices against me throughout our whole country. The high rank claimed hj, and awarded io^ him in society, induced a number of visiters at the upper springs, both last summer and the summer before, with whom some of my friends were remonstrating against giving credence to and acting on these reports, to insist that they must be true, else such a man as Mr. 'Burke never woald have ventured to put them in a book. It is generally understood that he passes for the polite gentleman — the man of taste — the accomplished scho- lar — yea more, a consistent Christian— being a com- municant in a church ; and we can readily excuse the public for being slow in believing that a man of his reputation would deliberately prepare for publication and sale, coupled with invidious remarks of his own, defa- matory reports about another, which he did not" at least believe to be true. His book has been revised and corrected. It was intended, from its origin, as a guide book on which the invalid stranger might rely for tnJhful information in relation to the different Virginia Springs, and all that appertains to them — and no one can read the three last pages, under the head of the "Hot Springs," and escape the conclusion, that Dr. Goode is a fiend in human shape— that by his unkindness he has actually kept from the place two-thirds of the afflicted, who would gladly have sought relief there— that lingering disease itself is more tolerable than his insulting tyranny. 106 I deny that I have ever offered an insult or in- dignity of any sort, to any visiter at the place. I have laid out here, in purchase and improvement, not less than sixty thousand dollars, and it is absurd to suppose I would deliberately insult those who come to the place and cause them to leave. I deny that I have ever charged any one merely for tellihg him which bath to begin with. I have never brought a charge for medical services that were not first re- quested by the visiter and then rendered by me Durmg my residence here, fourteen years. I have presented but two medical bills above one hundred dollars, and in both cases the persons were confined here and under medical treatment from tioo to three nr.tr7^-'^fK^-n''^v'^ ^^^^ time, presented hm three other medical bills that amounted to fifty dollars each. We will, in conclusion, and for his own sake, in- vite this gentleman's attention to the admonition of ^t. i-aul, That ye study to be quiet, mind your own business, and don't meddle with the aff^airs of others •» and we will then leave him to the further enjoymeAt 01 his present dignified repose in the balmy shade of "iuL^S bankrupt law, and by which, "it is further said, he has protected himself against the payment of the equitable claims of confiding creditors, a mount- mg to more than forty thousand dollars fir\A^/^^A/^A'^OC\f^^A!^r^f^AAAr^^^^^^^d ;^^:AA^AAA /^m^m^ wwww 'mHffHw^ AAAA^AAAAi#JN^ ^wm^^^'^mm W'$liJ>^!^ Ill§^' mmmmmmmm Ar^AA 555 ^AA^A^Ai ,..JlfT^^^'!^r/^Ql^^Ar^AAA' 5!o: -'/^.SaI-I^I i mkv mYWA:'teft!f mm ' 'HAA! i»A,.,/sAA/s- LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS ■ 014 440 016 1