University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER V.

TREATMENT.

The first consideration of the invalid after
reaching his destination, should be to ascertain
whether his system is in a suitable
condition for commencing the use of the water.
It is quite probable that after a long
journey he may be constipated, that his liver
may have become torpid, that he may be
over-excited by fatigue; in short, there are
many circumstances, any of which would
render it imprudent to enter hastily on a free
use of those powerful agents. If these conditions
of the system exist, let the alimentary
canal be freely evacuated by medicine adapted
to the case, and a strict regimen instituted for
forty-eight hours, or until oppression or excitement
is subdued, and then let the water be
taken in such a way as that it shall gradually
insinuate itself through the system, and act as
an alterative on the different functions of the

economy. The safest plan, in serious cases,
is to obtain the advice of a physician, with
the precautions already hinted at; but, physician
or no physician, we say to the patient,
festina lente. Be not influenced by the go-aheadism
so characteristic of our country; but
go to work calmly and systematically.

If the weather and other circumstances admit,
rise about 6, throw your cloak on your
shoulders, visit the Spring, take a small-sized
tumbler of water, move about in a brisk walk;
drink again at 7, and once more at half past 7;
breakfast at 8, (what that breakfast should be,
you may infer from what we have said on diet.)
After breakfast, if you can command a carriage,
take a drive, otherwise a slow ride on horseback
until 10. From 10 to 12, enjoy yourself
in conversation or other mode most agreeable
to you—eat no luncheon—at 12 take a glass of
water, at 1 take another. From 12 to 1½, take
exercise at ten pins, quoits, billiards; dine at
2, (see remarks on diet); amuse yourself in
social intercourse until 5. Take a drive, ride,
or walk, until 6—drink a glass of water; exercise
until 7—take a cracker and a cup of
black tea. If you are a dancer, you may enjoy

it, but in moderation, until 9—quaff a
glass of water from the Spring, and retire to
your room.

If you find yourself improving, remain at
the fountain; but if, after a fair trial of the
water, taken after your system has been properly
prepared, and accompanied by something
like the course we have suggested, the
symptoms of your disease become aggravated,
or new ones supervene, then you should
abandon the use of the water, and try to find
another better adapted to your case. But if,
by an act of imprudence, you render that
noxious which under more auspicious circumstances
would have been salutary, you
should not visit upon it the blame which is
due to your own indiscretion. It has been
made a question how long a mineral water
can be used with advantage. Different views
are entertained on this subject, but we are
convinced that no general rule can be given
when so much depends on the disease, its intensity,
the habits of the individual, and the
effects which are produced. Some recommend
a change at the end of a fortnight or
three weeks, alleging that a certain degree of

congestion of the liver takes place about that
time, the tongue becomes furred, and headache
supervenes. If such symptoms arise,
there can be no doubt the use of the water
should be immediately intermitted until they
are removed; but if strict inquiry be made, it
will be found that the patient has either been
strongly predisposed to this condition of the
liver, and has not prepared his system properly,
or has swallowed down large quantities of
water and indulged his appetite, or perhaps
has taken one glass of sulphur water and two
of brandy and water; but it will readily be
seen that these are abuses and argue nothing.
In truth, we sincerely believe that, in almost
every case, the whole season may be spent
with advantage at any Spring that suits the
patient's case; and we are sure that in cases
of long continued disease, it is folly to expect
a radical cure in a few days or weeks.