The principal health-resorts of Europe and Africa for the treatment of chronic diseases / by Thomas More Madden.

  • Madden, Thomas More, 1838-1902.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The principal health-resorts of Europe and Africa for the treatment of chronic diseases / by Thomas More Madden. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    fixed, and change less by keeping than the other Pyrenean sulphurous waters, and they all contain a considerable amount of the peculiar, pseudo-organic, unctuous substance called Baregine. The saline matters found in the nine sources of Bareges principally consist of the sulphates of soda and lime, silicates of the same salts, chloride of sodium, with traces of oxide of iron and iodine.* The primary action of the Bareges spa is stimulant and tonic, producing considerable nervous and vascular excite- ment ; accordingly, it is best suited for persons of lym- phatic or scrofulous diathesis, and it should be especially avoided by those of a plethoric habit of body, by pulmonary invalids, as well as by valetudinarians suffering from any hsemorrhagic or congestive disease. In the form of baths, these waters are applicable in the treatment of cases of old wounds, either breaking out afresh or causing recurring pain, in carious disease of the bones, in articular complaints, whether rheumatic or resulting from injury. They are largely used in obstinate skin diseases, more especially when of secondary, or of mercurial origin; also in chronic rheumatism and scrofulous affections. The duration of the course must be regulated by the effect it pro- duces. The full time is six weeks; but in many cases half that period might be dangerous to the patient's life. About a mile from Lux is a spa in every respect different from that which has been last described, viz., St Sauveur. The situation of this village, at the entrance of the plain of Gavarnie, within reach of the most sublime scenery in France, i.e., the Br^che de Eoland, Mont Perdu, and the Vignemale, is most attractive. The watering-place itself is a mere hamlet connected with Lux by an avenue of poplars. There are a * MM. Petrequiuet Socc[uet, Traite General des Eaux Minerales, p. 413.