Fact versus assertion, or, Critical and explanatory observations on some erroneous statements, contained in Dr. Adam Neale's pamphlet, on the nature and properties of the Cheltenham waters : to which are annexed, Directions for management in the art of puffing, addressed to a friend : with a sequel / by Wm. Henry Halpin.

  • Halpin, William Henry.
Date:
1820
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fact versus assertion, or, Critical and explanatory observations on some erroneous statements, contained in Dr. Adam Neale's pamphlet, on the nature and properties of the Cheltenham waters : to which are annexed, Directions for management in the art of puffing, addressed to a friend : with a sequel / by Wm. Henry Halpin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    14/52 (page 6)
    Old Well in use for some time, ’till, tlie soil being sunk to the same depth with the other Wells, new Springs were discovered, which now produce water of precisely similar qualities with those of the Montpelier Spa and Sherborne Wells. So much for the <( Analysis of the Original Spa Water.” Was it then candid—was it becoming, in a man who professes to take up this ungrateful task u from a pure love of truthto publish such a statement? Is this seeking for truth in the true way ? How7 desirable would it not have been under such cir- cumstances to have obtained the means of personal ex- amination and inspection ? nay, how irvdispensible in such a discussion, to any man but Doctor Neale, who confi- dently contents himself with his “ entirely medical rea- soning” and relying upon the analyses taken when the wells were far differently situated, boldly sends forth Ms ipse dixit as the infallible standard of all future opinion. Really his must be a hardy spirit!—yet there are some things which he could not, or he did not, dare. He did not dare to publish his pamphlet in the state in which it was shown to a person deeply interested in its contents, even though he had Counsel’s opinion, and was war- ranted in giving it to the public.” He did not dare to assert in print that the W aters and Salts were facti- tious, and that the physicians knew it, but bolstered them these Form additional Wells; but on the contrary* says ‘che has the authority of one of the Proprietors to assure his Readers, that the soil around Cheltenham produces only three Mineral Waters.” Admitting; Mo. 1, to be the Original Spa* lam warranted in stating, that it differs essentially from the Analysis placed by Doctor Meale in contrast with that of the Montpelier Spa; Dr. Jameson tells us that it differed in 1808, when the Well was sunk to twelve feet, how must it vary in 1820, when the Well, 1 presume, is sunk to sixty or seventy ? Allow- ing it to be as efficacious as any other, 1 still contend, that Dr. Neale ha3 not stated the Fact, |n giving that Analysis to the world in the manuer he has done*