Observations on the medicinal springs of Harrogate / by George Kennion.

  • Kennion, George.
Date:
[1866?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the medicinal springs of Harrogate / by George Kennion. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the east and south sides by the high ground on which High Harrogate is built, and on the west by “ Harlow-hill.” The upper stratum of the soil is sandstone, below this is a bed of shale in some parts, of clay in others, and below this again is carboniferous limestone. The air of Harrogate is peculiarly pure and bracing, and, as is commonly remarked, possesses more of the freshness and elasticity of the sea air than almost any other inland place. The position of Harrogate being such as I have described it, gives us the advantage of two distinct climates : the air of Low Harrogate being comparatively warm, even while a strong and cold wind may be blowing over the “ Stray ” or common which extends throughout High Harro¬ gate, and around which many of the best hotels and houses are built. The sandy nature of the soil allows of the paths being immediately dried up, after even the heaviest rains ; and, whatever maybe the cause, the fact remains that while cholera, in different epidemics, has been raging all round, not a single case has ever occurred in Harrogate. Rinderpest so far, I am thankful to say, is unknown in the place, and fevers, brought here by visitors, never spread. The country around Harrogate is, for the most part, well cultivated, the scenery picturesque, and the objects of interest for excursions are very numerous. Such is a brief topographical description of Harrogate. I proceed now to describe that which especially has conduced to the reputation of the place, viz., its Medicinal springs :— It has long been a general opinion, and one which is shared in by very many, even in the Medical Profession, that the only, or at all events the principal, mineral water in Harrogate is the well-known sulphur water—“ the Harrogate Water ” par excellence, and further, that the chief class of complaints for which this “ Harrogate water” is a remedy, is the large and troublesome class of cutaneous diseases. I will enumerate the different kinds of water which are found here : —