University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER IX.

SWEET SPRINGS.

The Sweet Springs are situated on the head
waters of Dunlap's Creek in the county of
Monroe, in a delightful valley, the air of
which is pure and dry.

"These waters (Col. Perkins) were discovered
before any of the Mineral Waters in
this part of Virginia were known, in 1764.
In 1773, they began to be noticed as a watering-place,
and in 1774 were analysed by
Bishop Madison, the President of William and
Mary College, but which analysis I have not
seen. The water is at 73° Fahrenheit; the
baths for both male and female visiters are
under the same roof, divided by a brick wall
in the centre, and each about twenty feet
square, and the water four and a half to five
feet deep. In plunging into these waters a
slight shudder, which in my case, and indeed
generally, was succeeded by a delightful

glow. One is very much induced to linger
in the bath, but five to ten minutes, in most
cases, are found better than longer."

The residence of the visiters has hitherto
been in the cabins or log-houses which were
formerly the dwellings of all who visited any
of the Virginia Springs. Dr. Lewis has just
now finished a house which for architectural
beauty and accommodations is superior to any
house built for the same use in the United
States, that I have seen. It is built of brick,
has two stories besides a basement, which is
appropriated to kitchen, bake and store
rooms, with offices for various purposes; the
piazza 17 feet wide, the whole length of the
building, stands on brick arches, and is reached
by three sets of steps of black walnut, the
width of each of the porticos by which the
front of the building is ornamented; the principal
story has a dining-room 160 feet long,
at one end of which is a ladies' drawing-room,
and at the other end a dancing-room;
they are each the whole width of the building,
which is 48 feet, and 40 deep.

"In the second story, there are 36 bed
rooms, with an entry between them; they are

about 14 feet square. The building has
quite an imposing appearance.

The other improvements consist of a number
of brick and framed cottages, sufficient to
accommodate 350 persons. Dr. Lewis has
been very fortunate in the selection of his
managers. Last season the management was
in the hands of our old and worthy friend
Major Vass, whose kind and conciliatory disposition,
added to a minute knowledge of all
that appertains to his business, has always
rendered him popular. The fare at the Sweet
Springs during the visiting season is uniformly
good, and the servants are kept under
good management. Dr. Lewis is extensively
engaged in farming; and having a fertile estate
attached to the Springs, he is enabled to
raise plentiful supplies of the great staples of
domestic consumption.

"The best example of the acidulous class of
water (Bell) is the Sweet Springs in Monroe
County, Virginia. They are 29 miles from
Fincastle, 40 from the Red Sulphur, 22 from
the Salt Sulphur, 20 from the White Sulphur,
and 43 from Bath Court-House.

"The Sweet Springs rise on the north side

of a large mountain called by the same name.
The south side is covered with stones of an
ochrous appearance. In many places iron
may be found, but on the north the mountain
is fertile and covered with a rich mould, at
least, near the Springs.

"The temperature of the Sweet Springs is
73° Fahrenheit, the same as that which in
England by a strange blunder is called Bristol
Hot Well. There is a considerable resemblance
between the two in other respects,
as well in the abundant evolutions of carbonic
acid, as in the earthy and saline matters
held in solution. In the Virginia Spring,
however, iron has been detected, whereas the
British Hot Well has none in its composition.

"Few mineral waters have acquired such
fashionable and well merited celebrity as the
Sweet Springs. The name is calculated to
convey erroneous impressions of their taste,
which is like a solution of a small quantity
of a calcareous or magnesian carbonate. The
excess of the carbonic acid, however, gives
the waters a briskness productive of a very
different effect on the palate from what an
imperfect mixture of the earths would produce.

The first effects of this water, due to
its temperature and gaseous contents, are a
feeling of warmth to the stomach, with the
sensation of fullness of the head and some
giddiness. Taken at stated intervals, in moderate
quantity, it will produce a moisture on the
skin and increase the flow of urine. If the
stomach be in a good state, it gives additional
appetite, and imparts fresh vigor to
the system. Its operation on the bowels
varies at first; but after a protracted use it
will generally be found to induce a costive
habit."

The waters of the Sweet Springs are highly
stimulant, and are therefore inadmissible in
most cases of inflammatory disease or in turberculous
pre-disposition, and other affections
of the lungs and bronchi. They quicken
the circulation, impart tonicity and vigor
to the system, excite the animal passions,
cheer the spirits, and inspire the mind with
pleasureable sensations. Aged persons, especially,
who are free from organic disease, will
find youth and vigor and elasticity at the
bottom of this noble fountain. A man who
could have an opportunity of daily plunging

into the Sweet Springs Bath might live to
the fabled age of the crow. We cannot conceive
any thing more refreshing and exhilarating
than this bath, when it is appropriate
to the case; but the system must be free from
inflammatory action, and rather tending to
atony than to the opposite condition. We
would not advise a person of sanguine temperament,
whether male or female, to use this
bath; nor would we permit females who may
by any probability be in a delicate condition,
or who are liable to severe periodical hemorrhages,
to use the water internally or by
bathing. There are conditions of the uterine
functions in which they may be used with
marked advantage, but such cases require
medical advice of the highest character, and
that too on the spot, where contingencies may
be met by suitable treatment. In certain cases
of dyspepsia, and in some nephritic affections,
this water is very valuable; in fine, it
may be said to be a good servant, but a bad
master.

There is one practice at this Spring so pernicious,
that it cannot be too severely reprobated;
we allude to deep potations of mint

julap and other spirituous mixtures, after
coming from the bath. Incalculable injury
may be done by this abuse, and we have little
doubt that many of the cases said to have
been injured by the water and bath, may fairly
be traced to mint julaps.

We have, ourselves, good reason to speak
highly of this water. In 1823, we spent several
weeks enjoying the luxury of bathing
here with the most decided benefit to our
system, enfeebled by application to business
and other causes. In 1829, however, after
hemorrhages and other symptoms of pulmonary
disease had made their appearance, we
were excited by it to a fearful degree, and had
to abandon its use.

These Springs and the estate attached to
them have passed out of the possession of the
late proprietor, Dr. B. Lewis, and are now under
the control of the Chancellor, who orders
them to be annually rented out by the sheriff
to the highest bidder. For the last three
years, they have been managed by annual
renters—a condition of things highly injurious,
in every point of view, to this lovely retreat,
which, in natural scenery, surpasses even

the White Sulphur. Col. Perkins, whose taste
cannot be questioned, expresses admiration of
the Great Building, at this place. The design
is probably good, and the appearance is imposing;
but its location was most unf rtunate,
as it eternally mars the most enchanting valley
in the Virginia mountains. In an expenditure
of some sixty thousand dollars, how much better
it would have been to employ anarchitect
acquainted with landscape, even if it had cost
something more. The house remains in an
unfinished state, and like all houses so left,
without an owner, it is already evidencing dilapidation;
and, should the decision of the
questions now in litigation be delayed many
years, its decay will be rapidly progressive.
That property, once the most highly valued in
the mountains, has suffered great depreciation
from those causes, and whenever brought into
market, will be offered under great disadvantages.
We have already given our opinion of
the magnificent Baths at this place, which,
under all disadvantages, attracted a large company
last summer. The house was kept, and
very well, too, as we understood, by Mr. Henry
Massey.

RED-SWEET SPRINGS.

At a distance of one mile from the Sweet
Springs, on the road leading to the White
Sulphur, is the Red Spring, owned and very
recently improved by Philip Rogers, Esquire.

To those who have been in the habit of
visiting the Virginia Springs, this gentleman,
some fifteen or twenty years ago, was favourably
known as lessee of the Sweet Springs,
and a kind and accommodating landlord.
We have not ourselves forgotten his blunt but
cordial manner, and the hospitable treatment
which we received in common with all his
guests.

The Red Spring is a chalybeate, and a
most powerful agent in cases that admit a
tonic treatment. This is an advantage which
this establishment possesses over its neighbour,
having, besides, the same kind of water
which is so abundant at the "Sweet Springs."
The acidulous or "Sweet" waters, at both
establishments, seem to be so much alike, that
there can be no essential difference between
them, and as they are situated in an abundant

region, and on the great thoroughfare
connecting Eastern Virginia with its trans-Alleghany
territory, we hope that notwithstanding
their proximity, they may both do a
good business.

The situation of the "Red Spring" is a
beautiful one, overlooking one of the most
fertile and best cultivated farms in Virginia.
The celebrated Beaver-dam falls are on this
farm, and about a mile and a half from the
Spring.

The original name of these Springs was
"Red Springs," but, in consequence of mistakes
frequently having occurred in the direction
of letters to this place, and the Red Sulphur,
the name at the head of this article, has
been adopted. Since the first edition of this
book appeared, this property also has changed
owners, and is now in possession of Richard
Sampson, Esq., of Goochland, and his son, Mr.
John R. Sampson. The father and son rank
among the best farmers of Virginia, which is
some security that neatness, order, and system,
will prevail through the establishment. At

this place we spent the greater portion of our
time, during the last summer, and we feel
great pleasure in testifying to the excellence
of the fare, the comfort of the chambers, and
the polite attention of Mr. Sampson, Jr., and
his manager, Mr. Powel. In every thing that
conduces to comfort it compares favourably
with the best conducted establishments in the
mountains. The improvements now made
will comfortably accommodate sixty to seventy
persons. It is the intention of Mr. Sampson
to extend his accommodations for the next
season to the capacity of 120. The main
building here is of frame, and judiciously designed
as regards convenience, but being
thrown across the valley, as in the case of the
Sweet Springs, it is destructive of the natural
beauty of the locality. It contains thirty comfortable
chambers, a ball-room, dining and
bar-room, and has two galleries of two stories,
extending the whole length, communicating
at intervals by open passages, in which there
are stairs leading to both stories. Nowhere
have we seen a more convenient arrangement
than this. It has but one fault, and that is,
that the double rooms communicate lengthwise,
instead of enjoying the advantage of
both porticoes and the delightful draught that
passes through the valley.

The great Red Springs, which are most relied
upon for bathing, issue from a limestone
stratum covered to a considerable depth by a
soft porous stone, apparently a deposite from
the Sweet Spring stream, which seems to have
once taken this direction. There are three
springs, of which the upper and boldest seems
to differ in composition and temperature but
very little from the Sweet Springs. The two
others close by, and separated from each other
by a thin partition of rock, differ materially
in the quantity of iron and temperature from
the first, the temperature of those being 76½,
while that is only 73. All, together, would
probably discharge 250 gallons in a minute.
The two lower only are now conveyed to the
Bath. This is a frame octagon about 20 feet
in diameter, and admitting a depth of water
of five feet. The water is conveyed by a
trunk to the reservoir, and by reducing the
depth of the bath to four feet, affords the finest
spout imaginable. After swimming about
for two or three minutes, it was our custom to

place ourself under this noble stream and let
it fall on our chest and shoulders. We never
were tempted to remain in longer than five
minutes, we then got up on the platform, took
in our own hand a towel and dried our head
and neck while a servant was engaged in
rubbing the body with all his might. In two
minutes, when the water is likely to suit, the
skin becomes as red as crimson under this operation,
and the person feels as if he could
jump over the moon. We are disposed to
think that some of the cases in which there
is no reaction are attributable to bad rubbing
and permitting the body to get chilled. We
would strongly recommend to Mr. Sampson,
who informs us he is going to take away the
present house, and build separate bathing
places for ladies and gentlemen, as at the
Sweet Springs; to have two rubbers instead
of one—a man and a small boy for the gentlemen;
and a maid and little girl for ladies.
After getting out of the bath, the person
should be made to stand on a platform two
feet square and about six inches elevated from
the floor. In this should be some grooves to
carry off the moisture from the feet, the junior
rubber should then kneel down and with a
coarse towel dry perfectly the legs and feet,
while the bather and aid are employed on the
head and trunk. With one rubber, the feet
are apt to be left too long wet, and the circulation
is thereby delayed from the inferior capillaries.
Where there are so many young
negroes doing nothing, it would be no additional
expense, and would greatly benefit invalid
bathers. A few paces from the house there
is a large and very pleasant bath similar to
the Sweet Springs; it was, however, but little
used, most persons preferring the higher temperature
of the Red Spring. The difference
is very perceptible to the feelings. Both are
delightful after the shock of the plunge is over,
which in the Red Spring water is slight. Our
experience of the two baths, which we used
for the purpose of experiment, causes us to
give a decided preference to the Red Springs
bath. We are disposed, however, to think
that its advantage lies more in the higher
temperature than in the carbonate of iron it
contains, though we can readily believe that
this property may increase its tonic power.
Whether it be so or not as applied to the skin,
nineteen out of twenty will think so. As a
drinking water, its tonic property is acknowledged,
and where such an agent is desirable it
is not surpassed on the habitable globe.

After we had transmitted the article on the
Red-Sweet Springs to the printer's, we received
from the worthy proprietor the following letter
and Analysis. They will be read with interest
by the admirers of that lovely valley, and
all who desire to avail themselves of a bath
possessing tonic powers nowhere surpassed.

 

1st. Solid matter procured by evaporation from 100 cubic inches, weighed after being greatly dried at 112°,

40·76

A portion of this is combined water.

2nd. Quantity of each solid ingredient estimated
as perfectly free from water. In 100
cubic inches,

               

Sulphate of lime	14·233
Sulphate of magnesia	3·107
Sulphate of soda	1·400
Carbonate of lime	9·411
Carbonate of magnesia	1·166
Chloride of sodium	0·037
Chloride of magnesium	0·680
Chloride calcium	0·010

 

Susquioxide of iron

0·320

Organic matter in small quantities.

Iodine, a mere trace.

The iron is no doubt dissolved in the water
as a carbonate.

3d. Volume of each of the gases contained in
a free state in 100 cubic inches of the
water.

     

Carbonic acid	46·10 cu. in.
Nitrogen	2·57 cu. in.
Oxygen	·20 cu. in.

Sulphuretted hydrogen, a trace
too small to be measured.

4th. Composition of 100 cubic inches of the
mixed gases rising in bubbles in the Spring.

   

Nitrogen	62·5
Carbonic acid	37·5

THE SKIN.

Before we take our leave of the thermal
and acidulous waters, we desire to say a few
words on that beautiful organ which, above
all others, distinguishes man from the inferior
animal creation, and which in lovely woman
frequently attains such exquisite perfection as
to place her second only to the angels.

The skin being one of the great safetyvalves
of the body, though perhaps the least
regarded by the great mass of mankind, and
especially so by that portion of it yclept "the
Anglo-Saxon race," is amongst the most important
organs of the human body.

Had Nature required of the kidneys to secrete
all the impurities of the circulation, they
would be inadequate to perform the labour at
least without vastly more power than they
now possess; she has, therefore, in her wisdom,
invested the external covering of the
body and the mucous surfaces of the internal
organs with an exhalant apparatus that frees
the blood from those serous portions that are
no longer necessary for the nutrition of the
body, and from an excess of carbon and other
matters that might deteriorate its quality, just
as the absorbent system appears to have been
intended to introduce new and alterative materials
into the system for its comfort and sustenance.
How deeply the skin sympathises in
all important lesions of the great organs of the
body is known even to ordinary observers,
yet it has never received from the faculty
that consideration to which it is entitled.

It is, perhaps, not because they are not fully
sensible of its importance; but because they
despair of reforming the habits of the people
in the most essential point connected with the
healthy condition of this organ. The march
of improvement, however, is onward, and we
should never despair of effecting a reform so
obviously important as that of cleanliness.
Who would have thought twenty years ago,
that five millions of a people proverbially addicted
to intoxication would, at this day, exhibit
an example of temperance which throws into
the shade all the reforms of modern times?

In our southern country especially, there is
an urgent necessity for frequent ablutions,
owing to the relaxed state of the system, produced
by intense heat, and the consequent
evaporations of the serous portion of the blood
through the superficial covering of the body.
In such a condition of things, the balance between
the excreting functions of the skin and
kidneys is destroyed, and the former has to
perform a duty, which eventually overpowering
its energies, its action becomes morbid,
and it is no longer able to resist either the
impulse from within, or the sudden depression

from cold to which it is exposed from
without, by extraordinary and sudden vicissitudes
of temperature.

We know, however, from the experience of
eastern nations, that like all other hygienic
principles, the salutary practice of bathing is
liable to abuse. Carried to excess, and accompanied
by the use of powerful narcotics, it is
pernicious to the physical, mental, and moral
energies. It should, then, be resorted to not
exclusively as a luxury, but as a means of
cleansing the skin from accumulated impurities,
and encouraging a just proportion of the
fluids to the capillary circulation.

The manly exercise of swimming, when it
can be practised, cannot be too strongly recommended.
In the palmy days of Rome,
the river Tiber was not permitted to roll its
waters to the sea neglected and unheeded. It
was the constant practice of the Roman citizens
to disport in its bosom, after they had
anointed their bodies as a protection against
the coldness of the water. Of its efficacy in
procuring sleep we are assured by the satirist:

With regard to the wealthy, who are able
to afford themselves all the conveniences of
bathing, if they do not avail themselves of
their advantages it is their own fault, and deserve
no sympathy; but it is otherwise with
persons of moderate circumstances living in
cities, and workers in manufactories. Their
health demands the care of the public authorities,
and of their employers. One hundred
thousand dollars would construct in the city of
New York five floating baths, that would accommodate
ten thousand persons in twenty-four
hours; and these, at a charge of three
cents each, would yield a revenue of more
than one hundred thousand dollars a year.

In the manufactories of this country, which
have almost all extensive water-power, how
easy would it be to provide a large bathing
chamber, in which all the labourers, male and
female, should be required to bathe at least
once a week. It would be easy to raise the
temperature of the water to about 85 or 90° F.

In an establishment giving employment to
two hundred persons, five cents a week deducted
from the pay of each would amply pay
the proprietor, and in a mere pecuniary point

of view would be a saving to the labourers,
who may thereby be saved from many ailments
that cause loss of time. But we would
not stop here: we would recommend to the
legislatures, whenever application was made
for an act of incorporation by a manufacturing
company, to insist on a proviso obliging
the corporators to provide a convenience such
as we have described, and to insist on its use.
Whenever temperance shall have become universal,
and conveniences for bathing shall
have been furnished to the great mass of the
inhabitants of cities, and the more enlightened
and opulent portion of the community will
have by their own example induced the poorer
class to adopt this great hygienic practice, we
may look for an advance in the average of
human life and human morals, which now
might seem unattainable.

It is unnecessary to particularize the various
chronic affections of the skin. From the
earliest periods in which we find accounts of
sulphurous waters, they have been celebrated
for the cure of this class of diseases. As it is
the sulphuretted hydrogen that is the active
property in these cases, there can be little difference

in favour of any particular Spring,
used merely as an external remedy, in which
light we are now considering this class of
agents; but of this we are certain, that persons
afflicted with cutaneous diseases will in
most instances fail to realize their expectations
if they depend exclusively on the thermal
waters. It has been a long established
custom, and one the correctness of which has
been tested by experience, to spend the early
part of the season in using the sulphurous
waters, and the latter part at the Hot, Warm,
and Sweet Springs. These latter agents will
indeed, of themselves, relieve slight affections
of the surface; but it should be recollected
that most chronic diseases of the skin are dependent
on visceral derangement, and that no
external application will remove the exciting
cause. We know that sulphuretted hydrogen
is possessed of such subtle power that it pervades
the whole animal econony, and alters
or modifies the fluids from which those diseases
are propagated.

It is indeed essential that the use of the
sulphurous waters should be combined with
the simultaneous use of bathing in the mineral

water, and this is now attainable at all the
Sulphur Springs of Western Virginia. When
the system has been saturated with the sulphurous
waters, then may the natural baths
be used with double advantage; and we are
sure we do not risk the charge of extravagant
laudation, when we assert that the world cannot
produce three fountains superior to those
of which we have been treating in the foregoing
pages.