Two letters of cases of cure at Fauquier White Sulphur Springs : embracing, also, mineral waters in general / by T. Stringfellow.

  • Stringfellow, Thornton.
Date:
1851
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Two letters of cases of cure at Fauquier White Sulphur Springs : embracing, also, mineral waters in general / by T. Stringfellow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    I have classified the various cases reported, under the medical names by which the diseases are generally known. In this way they can be the more readily referred to by those interested in examining the list. I begin with djspepsia, because it is by tar the most common form of chronic suffering on the Atlantic side of the Union. I have selected out of an untold multitude of cases of this disease a few only; they are cases of prominent individuals. 1 selected the cases of such individuals because, in the first place, they had every advantage in securing the best medical aid ; and, in the second place, they were individuals who had the disease in such intensity as to baffle the best efforts which science could make for their relief. As the character of all these cases was settled by the medical profession, and as the inefficiency of the highest skill to effect relief in their cases was dem- onstrated, it seemed reasonable to suppose that there was an adaptedness and power in the water to cure this disease in its most intense form, and in its most hopeless stages—and'if in its most intense form and hopeless stages, then, certainly, in its milder forms and less hopeless stages. In some of these cases functional derangement appeared to predominate in the nervous system ; in others, in the liver; in others, in the stomach, bowels, or kidneys; but all yielded alike to the action of the water. I took some pains to gather what may be called public opinion as to the adaptedness and power of this water to cure dyspepsia ; and so far as I could ascertain, there was, among intelligent men from all sections of the Union, who had enjoyed opportunities and witnessed its effects, but one opinion—and that was, that it would certainly cure dyspepsia if fairly tried. DYSPEPSI Case 1st.—The first case I will notice of this disease was one that perhaps could not be surpassed in intensity. It had baffled the highest skill ot the Union for some years. The subject was Mr. Lawrence, (now dead) principal of the Rappahannock Academy. He had tasted flesh, previous to his arrival at the springs, but once in three years, and that a piece of mutton, which threw him into spasms. His suffering was very exquisite. His flesh had wasted away; his digestive powers were barely sufficient to preserve life. He was brought to the Fauquier White Sulphur Springs, and used the water. In a very few days he was the subject of appetite ; relieved of pain ; digesting his food well; sleeping sweetly ; and in two months had gained forty pounds in weight, and possessed the physical energy which led him to prefer, in returning home, a walk of forty miles on foot, that he might show his friends in Fred- ericksburg that he was well, sooner than to return in a carriage or on horse- back. Case 2d.—The second case ofdyspepsiathatl will notice is that of Mr. Waldie, of Philadelphia, (author of The Library.) He was the subject of this disease in its most hopeless form. All that skill could do in that city of medical fame was done to restore him. According to his own statement, the remedies used did not prove to be even palliatives. He came to the Fauquier White Sulphur, used the water, and began at once to improve. Food was soon gratefully received ; the nervous system soon became quiet; rest proved to be refreshing ; strength went up rapidly ; an equal circulation was soon obtained; the secretive organs soon performed their functions well; the energizing and alterative power of the water triumphed, and before he was well aware of it he was in health, and so remained. Caw 3d.—The third case is that of a lady, who, soon after her marriage, in a state of hue health. i '.lyspeptrc, and in many other respects the subject of great physical derangement. An eminent physician gave her his constant at-