Excursions to the principal mineral waters of England, in pursuit of health and information / by James Johnson.

  • Johnson, James, 1777-1845.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Excursions to the principal mineral waters of England, in pursuit of health and information / by James Johnson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    perly taken. They have many advantages, however, over drugs from the chemist's shop. lmo- The mystery which hangs over their origin and manufacture, aided by the doctrine, as old as Homer, that they are special agents sent by the Deity himself on healing missions to mankind, engender hope, which leads to faith, and this last works little less than miracles. 2nd0- As the good works of spas are engraved on brass or marble, so their evil ones are mitten in water, and are seldom seen or remembered. Hence their reputation goes on increasing, and the more it U exaggerated, the greater the confidence of the pilgrim who travels to the Hygeian fountains. 3tio- The relaxation from business, and a temporary separation from the scene of anxiety and care, add their mite to the accomplishment of the hoped-for cure. 4to. journey itself, especially if a long one, works wonders in a large class of human maladies engendered by sedentary habits or mental ennui. I once sent a gentleman of this class, whom I had no hopes of curing at home, with a letter to Dr. Wolzi- kosky, of Carlsbad, whom I represented as the only physician in Europe, who was likely to cure the host of Proteian symptoms with which my patient was afflicted. He undertook the journey, with sanguine expectations of relief, and, on arriving at Carlsbad, made immediate inquiries for Dr. Wolzikosky:—but no such person had ever been heard of in that place by the oldest, inhabi- tant. In his astonishment he broke open the letter, and found it a blank ! Enraged beyond measure, at the supposed cruel hoax, he vowed vengeance against the doctor when he arrived in England. In returning home he made a detour through Switzer- land, and, after two or three months' travelling, reached London, and presenting himself in my library, demanded, in rather a surly tone, if I recollected him ? No, Sir, was the reply, «' I never saw you before this moment. What, Sir! not remember the patient you sent to your friend Wolzikosky ? Oh, aye ! Bless me, how you are altered for the better! No wonder I did not know you again ; you are quite another man. Yes Sir, said he, and the D 1 thank you and your friend Wolzikosky for the change. You knew he was a man of moonshine ; but I will bring an action against you for the expenses of my journey to