Virginia White Sulphur Springs : with the analysis of its waters, the diseases to which they are applicable, and some account of society and its amusements at the springs / by J.J. Moorman.

  • Moorman, J. J. (John Jennings), 1802-1885.
Date:
1874
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Virginia White Sulphur Springs : with the analysis of its waters, the diseases to which they are applicable, and some account of society and its amusements at the springs / by J.J. Moorman. 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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    great majority wbo drink it. But the most decidedly controllin effect of the water over diseased action, and that which, more tlm every other, gives its highest and most valuable character as remedy, is its Alterative Power, or that peculiar action by which effects salutary changes or alterations in the blood, in the varioi secretions, and upon the various tissues of the body. The certain effects of the water in stimulating glandular seeretioi^ dissolving chronic inflammations, overcoming obstructions, and throii ing off.offensive debris from the diseased system, leave no doubt • its distinctive and active alterative powers. Indeed, no article of tft Materia Medica has more decided alterative effects. I desire, especially, to call the attention of physicians, and tlj intelligent public generally, to tliis distinctive and remarlcaU quality of the xoater. In this, more than anything else, it diffei from other mineral waters. Many other waters are found to possei valuable alterative power, and with an equal or greater cathartic diuretic action, but none have yet been shown to be so certainh promptly veadi p>owerfully alterative upon the human system. Some of my unprofessional readers may desire to know the precii meaning that is attached to the term Alteravive, in a medical sens* This term simply means to alter or change ; that is to alter or chang the chemical composition of the blood, the secretions of the^land and the various secretory organs and surfaces, the removal of obstru< tions from the glands or minute vessels which occur in congestioni irritations and inflammations; thus restoring the blood and the gener* organism to their natural condition, and to the performance of the; natural functions. I claim that the water has these effects by being absorbed, or, i|j other wortls, entering into the great circuit of the circulation, and th exercising the specific or peculiar action of its constituents in prom ting the various secretor}^ and execretory processes, and thereb re.storing the diseased system to a physiological condition. j Such effects and changes, wrought in the sick body, are obvious an alteration, and the remedy that produces them is an alterative This is but a part of a medicinal alterative, but it conveys a su cient idea of its nature. The water is also remarkable for its power in reducing the for> and freqyienry <f the qxnlse, when unduly excited. Its influence i this respect should be regarded, not as a direct sedative effect of th agent, but as tlie result of its potency in abating general excitemen resolving inflammation.'^, and removing obstructions, thus bringin back the system to its normal condition. Itjxpericncc in tlio administration of these waters has abundaiitl established the fact of their direct and positive influence in control ing and eradicating many diseases. Their effects, when properl used, are to revive the languishing circulation, to give a new dircc tion to the vital energies, re-establish the pcm.spiratory action of th