disengaged. The Sauvenière contains more steel than the Geronstère, and less than the Tonnelets. The air is very salubrious and bracing. The springs are particularly recommended in atony of the uropoietic organs-in acidity, dyspepsia, and tendency to gravel. In anæmic conditions generally they possess great efficacy, and deserve to be more employed than they are.

Considering that nearly every severe and prolonged ailment produces a certain state of debility and anæmia, and thus leaves a greater susceptibility for the germination of morbific tendencies, it is obvious that chalybeates will very frequently be required, and that their adaptation to the respective individuals must be of the utmost importance. Though no blood may have been actually abstracted during an acute disease, an indirect loss of blood has taken place, the metamorphosis of vital structures into effete particles having proceeded as usual, whilst the required assimilation of ingested food for the reparation of the loss was impeded. Overexertion of any organ or system, without derangement, is another source of weakness, for we may assume that a limit is placed to the action of each organic sphere.

If the circulating force be merely weakened by depression of the nervous system, the same injuries will result as if the quantity of blood were deficient; for unless propelled with a certain vigour it will afford a less powerful stimulus for reproduction and for generation of heat. This circumstance is probably one of the reasons why we may give pharmaceutic preparations of iron for months to exsanguine and weakened nervous females without obtaining results so often following the use of chalybeate springs during three or four weeks. Though less iron was ingested in the latter instance, the remedy was accompanied by the highlystimulating carbonic acid, so that the moving force of the blood must have been augmented, and its power of provoking metamorphosis. But the important question remains, what chalybeate shall we choose, if we find its tonic action indicated?

The analysis will serve as a guide in a great measure, but you must by no means wholly depend upon it. Thus in Spaa, the last chalybeate mentioned, without an explanatory difference being afforded by the chemical constituents, the Sauvenière is particularly renowned for cases of sterility, more than the Pouhon; whilst to the Groesbeck a very powerful diuretic action is ascribed, and its utility is extolled in gravel and lithiasis: the two latter are especially recommended in such cases of debility and anæmia as result from moist and damp habitations, from

previous intermittent fever, and from scarlatina, especially in leuco-phlegmatic flabby individuals. The Pouhon is, on the contrary, recommended in obstructed portal circulation, in deficient bilification, in congested liver and spleen following intermittent fever; also in flatulence, digestive weakness, acidity, tendency to diarrhoea, passive hæmorrhage, &c. To relieve the consequences of intermittent fever, you find Pyrmont, Schwal bach, and Spaa recommended. In tropical climates, where the function of the skin is excessively stimulated, and in low marshy regions, where the same function is inordinately impeded, the same morbid states often result-viz., intermittent fever and subsequent engorgement of liver and spleen. How is this? Probably because impaired sanguification is the consequence of both abnormal influences.

In the tropical regions the skin assumes, as it were, the work destined to other organs. Without the due proportion of muscular exercise, circulation and vital combustion are promoted. This undue exaggeration of certain organic functions must ultimately produce great relaxation and atony of the overworked organs. The serum of the blood being greatly diminished by the constant drain of perspiration, the blood can no more circulate with its wonted rapidity. Though the propelling force of the heart suffices to send it to the peripheric capillaries, its return through the portal vessel will be retarded, the more so as the liver has been likewise overexerted and weakened, by partially performing the function of the lungs-rarity of the air permitting a minor entrance of oxygen for ordinary inspirations. An impaired chylification cannot but result. Thus a constant loss takes place on the one hand, without a sufficient reparatory sanguification on the other. The anæmic state of such invalids is better counteracted by chalybeates which powerfully promote the action of the liver, and remove the atony and susceptibility of the skin-as Franzensbrunn, Pyrmont, &c. The amount of carbonic acid, inter alia, must have a decisive weight in the choice. In marshy and damp places the ordinary function of the skin is somewhat checked by the watery exhalations of the circumambient atmosphere; the effete nitrogenous and carbonaceous particles repelled to the central organs claim a greater amount of work from the abdominal viscera. The caloric generated in our organism is quickly abstracted by the surrounding atmosphere for the evaporation of the suspended watery particles. The diminished heat of the surface causes a revulsion of the blood towards internal organs, and especially

In the

a retarded reflux from the centres of venous circulation. latter instance those spas are useful which counteract the debility and anæmia, without materially increasing the circulation of abdominal organs, as Spaa in Belgium, where, more especially, the energy of the uropoietic and cutaneous systems is called into requisition, and where the bracing air of the Ardennes Forest greatly contributes toward a successful result. The services of a very scientific English physician (Dr. Cutler) are available for English visitors at the latter place, besides several Belgian physicians of repute, as Dr. Lezaak and others.

LECTURE XVII.

EMS SCHLANGENBAD-BADEN-BADEN.

TO-DAY I must request you to follow me as far as Coblentz. You perceive the River Moselle entering the Rhine on its left shore. The River Lahn terminates its westerly course a short distance below, on the right.

Our present destination is a very celebrated spa, situated on the right bank of the River Lahn, three leagues to the east of Coblentz, viz. Ems, on the railway between Coblentz and Giessen. It lies about eight leagues to the north of Schwalbach, and is enclosed in a narrow valley between high mountains, about a quarter of a league from the village of Ems. The opposite bank is considerably wider, and covered with gardens and meadows. The river, though large, flows so slowly that scarcely any movement is perceptible in it. The surrounding mountains consist of clay-slate, interspersed with quartz; greywacke and layers of shining coal are met with at greater depths. To the east of the spa a curiously-shaped group of rocks rises almost perpendicularly to a great height; to the west the Bäderberg is perceived, contrasting with the opposite mountain by being cultivated to the very summit. Vineyards and orchards clothe its slopes. On the other side of the river the mountain-heights are intersected by valleys, and rise like colossal pyramids, covered with wood and verdure. The highest peaks are formed by the Winterberg and the Molbuskopf.

In contradistinction to the village, the spa is called 'Bad Ems.' The houses destined for the reception of the valetudinarians are built along the river. The Curhaus is most conveniently arranged, both for residence and sanitary purposes, with water and douchebaths, &c. About half a league from the village of Ems the socalled Silberhütte' invites the attention of visitors. On the opposite bank the mines of Lindenbach' are perceived. About an hour's walk along the dam of the Lahn brings you to Nassau, with its antiquated castle. On the other side of the river a moun

6

tain rises, covered with trees and shrubs, and bearing the ruins of the old châteaux of Nassau and Stein.

Walks and roads are laid out to supply the invalid with means of exercise. Donkeys are generally used for ascending the distant hills and mountains. Though the valley offers many romantic spots and natural charms along the serpentine course of the Lahn, its confined position, the frequent blasts and winds, especially in the morning and evening, and the consequent vicissitudes of temperature make it an undesirable locality for those who do not positively require the sanitary use of the waters. No temptations are offered to the pleasure-seeker for a prolonged sojourn.

The Bäderley is considered as the focus of the thermal springs which originate at its foot. The spa is one of the oldest in Germany, and was known to the Romans, according to undoubted testimony: it belongs now to the domains of the Duke of Nassau. The various springs differ greatly in their temperature, the constituents being nearly the same in each. Though the number of visitors has considerably increased of late (to 4,000 and upwards in one season), the former quiet tone is preserved, and no opportunity given for noisy amusements. This is chiefly due to the serious nature of the complaints of those seeking relief here-partly also to the peculiar local disposition. A covered colonnade now adjoins the Curhaus, for walking in unfavourable weather.

The Steinerne Haus' and die vier Thürme' are private property, but also serve for the accommodation of invalids. The former adjoins the Curhaus. In the Armenbad' indigent patients receive gratuitous accommodation. The water has a weak, alkaline, saltish taste. Its colour is transparent. In the canals through which it flows a reddish bath-stone is deposited, consisting of ferruginous lime-earth. Of the numerous springs I will merely mention the principal ones :—

I. The thermal springs of the Curhaus:

The Kesselbrunnen, 1174° F.

The Kränchen, 91° F.

The Fürstenquelle, 95° F.

II. Springs of the Steinerne Haus:

The warm one of 100° F.

The lukewarm one of 77° F.

III. The thermal springs of the Armenbad have a temperature

of 109° F.