Remarks on the medicinal properties of Bailey's Spring, Lauderdale County, Ala., and Cooper's Well, Hinds County, Miss / by S.C. Farrar.

  • Farrar, S. C. (Stephen Cocke), 1796-1868.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the medicinal properties of Bailey's Spring, Lauderdale County, Ala., and Cooper's Well, Hinds County, Miss / by S.C. Farrar. 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.)

    11/32
    Mr. Tuomcy, State Geologist of Alabama, and a gentleman of high standing and scientific attainments : Bailey's Spring.—This noted spring, like all the min- eral springs of Lauderdale County that I have seen, has its origin in chercy rocks, at the base of the carboniferous limestone. The temperature of the water at the time of my examination, was 68° Faht., that of the air being 80°. But Mr. Bailey in- forms me that it varies, in this respect, with the season, unlike the ordinary springs in the vicinity, which at present, are 8° colder. I regret that I had it not in my power to make a quanti- tative analysis of this far-famed water. My analysis, however, *was conducted with as much care as possible ; yet it is proper to state that under more favorable circumstances, an analysis in which a large quantity of the water could be used, might de- velope other ingredients, in addition to those given below: Carbonate Iron. Carbonate Soda. Chloride Sodium. Carb. Patass.—traces. Sulphur—perhaps in combination with Soda. The iron is in greater abundance than would appear from the deposit below the outlet of the spring. It is even thrown down slowly during the process of concentration, by boiling. The prominent ingredients are, carbonic acid, iron and soda. This is all the information we are enabled to give the public, as to the properties of the water. It is much to be regretted that no quantitative analysis has been made, but it is, neverthe- less, cheering to the sick to know, that unequivocal proof of its efficacy in scrofula, dyspepsia and dropsy has been given. In the latter disease especially, has it been pre-eminently useful. Indeed the most remarkable and astounding cures of dropsy have been effected by it. Iron, chloride of soda, and potash, in some form or combination, from a very early period, have been prescribed in dyspepsia, dropsy and scrofula. And Iodine, since 1820, when it was introduced into practice by Dr. Coindett of Geneva, up to the present time, has been recommended by every miter of note on glandular diseases.* *Iodine was discovered by Dr. Usher in the Congress water at Saratoga, and subsequently by Dr. J. H. Steel in the form of Iodide of Sodium.