MEDICINAL WATERS IN GREAT BRITAIN.

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above five miles to the southward of Tunbridge. There is no perccptible difference in the quality of the water of these springs, which arechalybeate, taste strongly, though not disagreeably, of iron, and containalso a small portion of sea-salt. This water, exposed to the air, soonloses its virtues, as it does also by keeping a few days; it must thereforebe drank at the wells, the exercise of going for that purpose, and return-ing, adding in no small degree to the virtues of the water, which has longbeen celebrated as a tonic in the diseases peculiar to women, whetherarising from chlorosis, fluor albus, or from a profuse flow of the periodi-cal discharge; disorders that are at once debilitating and painful, andthat are frequently the causes of abortion, and sometimes of sterility.The stimulant and diuretic properties of the Tunbridge well water re-commend it as efficacious for increasing the appetite, accelerating thecirculation, and in the removal of obstructions of the liver, jaundice,and dropsy; for this mineral not only promotes the secretions by stooland peispiration, but it is particularly useful, by promoting a regulaidetermination to the kidneys, and in removing obstructions of the urinarypassage ; it has also the reputation of being destructive of worms, andof curing chronic disorders arising from laxity and weakness of the solids.It is, however, improper in all inflammatory cases, except, indeed, inthose feverish exacerbations occasioned by the green-sickness, and whichin that disease generally give way to the persevering use of this, andoften to other chalybeate medicines. Externally applied, it is said toassist weak and sore eyes, and to remove pimples and other eruptions otthe skin.

The season for drinking this water is from the beginning of June tillMichaelmas. A little preparation is advisable; in most cases gentlepurging is sufficient; but in gross and sanguine habits, other evacuationsare required.

In entering upon a course of the Tunbridge waters, a regimen is also

necessary : the food should be light; and that part of it which consists

of animal flesh should be mutton, fowls, and game, rather than beef 01

' pork: veal and lamb are also to be allowed. The bread should be pure,

and well baked ; and the less wine is taken the better.

The quantity of the waters required can only be ascertained by cir-cumstances: the age, constitution, and complaints of the patient must beconsidered, and more or less of this mineral administered as may befound necessary. It is best to begin with a small dose, not exceeding aquarter of a pint, about half an hour before breakfast, to be repeated atregular intervals, once or twice before noon. The quantity may be soonaugmented to half a pint at each dose; and if, as is often the case onentering on a course of mineral waters, giddiness, a disposition to sleep,nausea or vomiting, should happen, these symptoms will disappear aftera little use: but when, after due trial, this does not happen, the patientmay conclude that the waters are unsuitable to his complaint or consti-tution.

It is common for those who drink the water at Tunbridge Wells tomix occasionally a tea-spoonful or more of common salt, or of vitriolatedmagnesia, with the first glass of the water, in order to make it operateby stool; others, in case of an extreme irritability of the stomach, cara-way or cardamom-seeds, or some warm confection, after each glass; aa