A guide to the use of the Buxton mineral waters / by William Henry Robertson.

  • Robertson, William Henry, 1810-1897.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A guide to the use of the Buxton mineral waters / by William Henry Robertson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    of effect on the system can be readily adapted to the condition of the patient when the water is drunk, by holding the glass in the hand before drinking, during a longer or shorter time, so as to allow more or less of the gas to be dissipated; and when used as baths, by adding heated mineral water to the water at the natural tempera- ture, to any required degree; and, if necessary, by immers- ing only a part of the body in the water of the bath. These are what are called three-quarter baths, or half-baths, or quarter-baths, the baths being used at any tempera- ture from 86 to 100 degrees; or there may be no immer- sion, the water being sponged and rubbed into a larger or smaller extent of the surface of the body or limbs, or applied to any specially affected part by means of pads or compresses. In these ways, the water is adapted to almost any degree of excitability, or weakness, or morbid state; the effect being modified and lessened as it is heated above the natural temperature, and as it is applied to a greater or less extent of surface. In more chronic conditions, on the other hand, the local effect is increased by using it in the form of douches and massage, by which its absorption and action are secured at or near to any part which is specially affected. The principal medical action is evidently on the fibrous tissues, promoting the absorption of morbid products, and relieving consequent disability; crippled joints becoming so far restored, and stiffened limbs relaxed. The result thus obtained, sufficiently great or even marvellous to prove the powerful action of the water, sometimes leads to an over-weening expectation as to its possible influence. It need not be told to medical men, that no such treatment can remove actual disorganisation, or re-produce a sound condition of joints or tissues, which have been structurally damaged by disease. The water has restored mobility to joints and limbs, after having been crippled during many years; but usually the effect is less certain or less com- plete, the longer the morbid condition may have existed; and usually the effect is more immediate, as well as more complete, the younger the patient, and the more recent the case. The effect on the constitutional condition is perhaps better evidenced in cases of gout than in cases of rheumatism, in that the attacks become commonly less frequent, and their character more acute, after one or