Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Haunted London. 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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![tlie wLole system of Ben DLiypping, and anticipate that, by the end of fonv Avceks more, I shall have regained more health and 'vigour than six months agu, in my Ganjam home, I ever anticipated enjoy- ing again. But to return to the rain-bath. Opening the doc-4- of a closet in one corner of the room, and scarcely giving me time (in my someivhat indolent fashion) to divest myself of my clothes, John politely desired me to walk in, and immediately closed the door. . i> t “ You must let me out should I not like it, I shouted out, as I found mj’self thus hermetically enclosed. “ Not or ever yir time’s oop, sir,” replied John, m a tone of calm indifference; “ only one minute an a aff. Now, sir, I’m going for to turn on the water.” A second of breathless suspense, and forthwith, on all sides of me, shot forth ton thousand tiny jets of water, darting themselves upon every square inch of my body. The sensation was most curious, but not disagreeable, and it is found to have a most bracing effect uiion the whole system. This forenoon battery being closed, I started with Maitland for a long walk; and, taking the “ lion fountain ” en route, drank a glass of the very finest water I ever tasted. Maitland having just come out of the “compressed air-bath,” in which he had been for two hours, was ready for a brisk walk to warm him, and gladly acceded to my proposal to strike across the moor, and penetrate to some of the more distant scenery. _ I never knew any one so improved as he is, mainly ouing to the air-bath. I believe that this bath at Ben Dhrypping is the only one of the kind in the coun- try, and patients repair hero from all'parts to haie the benefit of it. It is chiefly applied to those suffering from chest, lironchial, or asthmatic affec- tions, and in many cases with great success. This bath is only a few yards distant from the house, and is capable of containing six persons at a time. The cold is sometimes intense, and fni-s and great- coats are in requisition by those who take it. Ima- gine a neat very small room, capable, as I hav^c said, of containing six, seated, with comfortable chaiis and a small table in the centre. The -patients being aU assembled, the air is pumped in until the pressure amounts to seven and a half pounds for every square inch. This artificial atmo- sphere tends to brace and strengthen the delicate organs, and is accompanied with no unpleasant effects. Maitland and I were amply rewarded for our enterprising spirii, and had a splendid walk across a moor, /vvhich would rival any of the Highland ones, and the air is as exhilarating in its effects as a draught of the rarest mountain dew. We re-entered the grounds in time to hear the first bell sounding forth its hospitable reminder of the near approach of dinner—an announcement which calls forth the “ readiest of ready responses.” We were soon all seated at table, and the rapid incision made into the joints and fowls sho'wed that the mountain air had been profitably inhaled and enjoyed. The first course having been removed, Mr. E , 7i- ] an eminent London barrister, wno pays tu o annual visits to Ben Dhrypping, rose, and said he had, in a few words, a communication to make to the company, to the following effect: It '\4a:s the practice in this establishment that an expedition be made once a year by the servants in the house to Abbey, the expense of which was usually defrayed by each one of the company contributing a small sum. He had now' the satisfaction of inti- mating that the proposed holiday ■would take place the following day, should the weather prove favoiu- able.” In adverting to the charms of the spot they were to visit, he concluded thus; “ It is one peculiarity of the water at Ben Dhrypping, that it will not make mustard (one of the antf-hydropathic condiments). It has been tried again and again, but each effort has proved a failure. The water of the river, however, near Abbey, is peculiarly adapted for such purposes, and it is said that at one pai'ticular bend, the river assumes a complexion very much resembling beer, while others have de- clared that something as pure as w'hisky has been kno-v-rti to emanate therefrom.” This effusion gave occasion for great merriment, and it was cm ions to hear the learned law'yer evoking materials for mirth out of—nothing. Dinner being over, and fain having set in, some of the company adjourned to the drawing-room to hear Mr. B. (who is a very great favourite in the house) give a recitation. After this had been given w’ith admirable effect, I heard onr friend IMr. Glass also asked to repeat one of his ow'H poems; his reply was: “ Pray don’t ask me foi anything that requires either memory or thought for I declare I feel as if my mind were all washec out since I have been at this Ben Dhrypping esta blishment. I had one or tw'O letters to wu-itc thi:](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22474560_0004.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
