University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XVIII.

Hypertrophy of the Heart.—The heart,
(H. Mayo,) comprising the auricles, ought to
have a size either equal to, or a little less, or
but a little larger, than the fist of the subject.

A straight line drawn across the breast
bone uniting the lower edges of the cartilages
of the third ribs at their sternal insertions,
passes before the valves of the pulmonary
artery a little to the left of the mesial line.
The valves of the aorta are situated directly
behind the pulmonary veins. From this point
the aorta and pulmonary artery ascend, the
former inclining forwards and to the right, so
as upon emerging from behind the pulmonary
artery to come in contact with the sternum,
and to the right of the mesial line, the latter,
which is from the first in contact with the
sternum, inclining more considerably to the
left till it arrives at the margin of the interspace
between the insertion of the second and
third ribs.

A vertical line coinciding with the left margin
of the sternum, has about one third of the
heart, consisting of the basial portion of the
right auricle, and the whole of the left, on its
left. The left auricle is situated deep behind,
and to the left of the heart at its upper part,
opposite to the interval between the cartilages
of the third and fourth ribs. The apex of the
heart beats against the cartilage of the fifth
rib, or against the interval between the fifth
and sixth.

The heart rests on the tendinous centre of
the diaphragm, which is stretched horizontally
to form the floor of the chest, at or little
below the level of the lowest part of the fifth
rib. The lungs descend along the margin of
the sternum, about two inches apart, and overlap
the base of the heart slightly on the right
side, and more extensively on the left; then
receding from each other, they leave a considerable
portion of the right ventricle, and a
less extent of the lower part of the left, in immediate
contact with the sternum and fourth
and fifth costal cartilages.

From the above account of the structure
and position of the heart, as well as from

our remarks on indigestion in a former chapter,
it will be readily seen what a vast influence
is exerted over that organ by the stomach
and lungs, both by the quality of the blood,
as produced by a healthy or vitiated chyle,
or by a perfect or imperfect oxygenation dependent
on the function of respiration.

And, moreover, we think the reader can be
at no loss to comprehend the modus operandi
of the Red Sulphur in restoring the
functions of this organ to a normal condition.
The most conclusive evidence of its
power in disease of the heart, may be adduced
in several cases, in which the action of the
arteries and heart has been reduced in frequency
from 30 to 40 pulsations in a minute.
Is there any other agent known to science
that will do this? We humbly conceive there
is not; and therefore we venture to promise
patients affected with functional disease of
the heart, the best results from a judicious use
of this water.

The Kidneys and Bladder.—We shall
touch upon the diseases of these organs, from
which relief may be expected at the Mineral
Waters of Virginia. All the Sulphur waters

claim to be beneficial in gravel, and we think
they are so in a greater or less degree.

That form of disease in which they are
most useful is lithic-acid gravel. "Sand
(Civiale) is understood to be a powdery deposit,
which takes sometimes the form of a
very fine powder, and sometimes, or more frequently,
of grains, caused by the agglomeration
of little crystals, which are easily distinguished
with the lens, or that are sometimes
perceptible to the naked eye. This deposit is
most frequently of a bright red colour, though,
in certain cases, it resembles that of brickdust,
or is gray, ash-coloured, black, or dusky."

"Gravel (says Dr. Christison) may be defined
the discharge of pulverulent or gritty
matter with the urine, occasioning symptoms
of irritation in the kidneys and urethra."

The most frequent cause of gravel is indigestion,
especially that species of it attended
by acidity. When the fluid, overcharged with
acid, is presented to the kidneys, it is secreted
in excess; the lithate of ammonia is decomposed,
and the acid precipitated. Another and
very extensive cause of gravel is hard water.
Of this fact we can speak experimentally.

When riding through the mountainous region
west of the Alleghany, and using the water
in most districts of that region, we never have
escaped with impunity, and we have uniformly
suffered from using the strong limestone
water of a village in our country. It is on
this account that in this form of the disease,
(lithic-acid gravel,) we should be doubtful
whether the water of the Sweet Springs may
be used with safety, abounding as it does with
calcareous matter. The White Sulphur, Blue
Sulphur, and Salt Sulphur, would be more
likely to suit the invalid, more especially the
last, as it is certainly more anti-acid than the
others; but they have all to contend with the
hard, harsh quality imparted by the sulphate
of lime, and therefore, if there should be an
irritated condition of the kidneys, which is
almost certain to be the case in a greater or
less degree, the use of the Red Sulphur alternately
with the Spout bath at the Hot Springs
will be found the most efficient treatment.
We have already intimated that a little bicarbonate
of soda may be used with advantage,
in connexion with the Sulphur waters.
Candour requires us, however, to confess, that
relief from this complaint must necessarily be
temporary, from any remedy but a strict regimen,
and abstinence from whatever may have
produced the predisposition. Irritation of the
bladder, when produced only by functional
disturbance, or an excitable nervous tempera
ment, will be relieved by the waters of the
Red Sulphur.

Uterus.—In a work which is intended for
the eye of the general reader, it will only
be necessary to touch lightly on the diseases
of this organ. Those which may be considered
under the remedial power of mineral waters
are Amenorrhœa, or obstructed menstruation,
Dysmenorrhœa, or painful menstruation, and
Menorrhagia, or excessive menstruation.

Amenorrhœa is of two kinds; one dependent
on constitutional debility, and the other
attended by the appearance of good health.

In the former, according to Drs. Ferguson
and Simpson, the symptoms are languid circulation,
muscular debility, torpor, or inequalities
of the nervous function, defective nutrition.
When allowed to proceed uninterruptedly,
amenorrhœa terminates in chlorosis. In
this condition of the system, that mineral

water will be the most useful which will
arouse its torpid energies. Presupposing there
is no organic lesion, such as a tuberculous
condition of the lungs, the bath at the Sweet
Springs will be found the greatest remedy in
this disease; but if it be complicated with diseased
lungs or bronchi, then the invalid's
hope is the Red Sulphur. In the form accompanied
by plethora, Dr. Goode's Spout-bath,
under his advice, is the appropriate remedy.

Dysmenorrhœa.—In this form of disease,
we recommend Dr. Goode's Spout-bath, as
the best remedy known to us. In all cases,
this remedy must be used under advice. The
Red Sulphur, as a sedative, may with great
advantage be alternated with the Hot Springs.

Menorrhagia.—It is clear that no agent
that excites the system is admissible in this
disease. Females labouring under this form
of uterine affection, will therefore find the Red
Sulphur alone appropriate, connected with a
mild unexciting regimen. We venture to say,
that if the distinctions we have pointed out be
observed, most of the cases of diseased uterine
function attending the Virginia Springs will
obtain relief, and that many a charming

woman, whose hopes of fruitfulness have
been blighted, will present her lord, not her
master, with a new and improved edition of
him or herself. We have seen some striking
instances of this kind at the Red Sulphur
within a few years.

Diseases of the Liver.—This important
organ is the seat of numerous deviations from
a healthy condition, and seems especially to
suffer from high atmospheric temperature.
Accordingly we find that in the southern latitudes,
and in locations subject to noxious exhalations,
that class of diseases usually denominated
bilious, is most frequent. The
forms of disease of this organ, with which we
have to do, are its functional aberrations, and
chronic hepatitis.

The secretions of bile may be redundant or
defective, or they may be acrid, or deficient
in stimulative properties. These conditions
are dependent, in all probability, on the quantity
and quality of the blood presented for
secretion, and that is affected by the digestion
and chylification, and finally by the poisonous
effluvia of a corrupted atmosphere.

In no disease may more be expected from

change of climate and habits of life than in
diseased functions of the liver, and in no region
of the United States is there a summer
climate more favourable than the transmontane
division of Virginia. Independent, then,
of all mineral waters, much may be expected
from visiting this region; but when the
agency of the greatest variety of Mineral
Springs in the world may be obtained in connexion
with climate, our southern friends
have inducements to visit us, which are not
presented by any other region of the Union.

Now, to say that any one of the Sulphur
Springs is a specific, in all varieties of functional
diseases of the liver, is to display great
ignorance of the action of those agents. We
would desire to impress upon the reader that
it is not a purgative effect that is desirable in
those cases. If it were, those waters that act
most freely on the bowels would be the most
prompt to relieve this disease, and Saratoga
water would claim preference over all other
waters in the United States, in those conditions
of the system; but such is not the case.
We want an agent that will, in the first place,
modify the original causes of the hepatic affection,

and produce thereon an alterative effect;
and this agent, we have already demonstrated,
is sulphuretted hydrogen, combined with
warm bathing. We agree with Dr. Goode,
that there are cases of hepatic functional disease
that may be, and are relieved by the Hot
Springs alone; but we are also certain that
the surest plan is to visit first a Sulphur water,
using at the same time the artificial bath, and
to spend the latter portion of the season at the
Hot Springs, or, which in our view is better,
to alternate these remedies through the season.

We repeat here, what we have already intimated
in treating of the White Sulphur, that
minute portions of blue mass should be used
in connexion with the Sulphur waters and
warm bathing in hepatic diseases. It may be
used with great safety, as the sulphuretted hydrogen
prevents any permanent constitutional
effect, and it will be found a most valuable
auxiliary.

From what we have said on this subject, it
will be seen that we claim for all the Sulphur
waters decided power over functional disease
of the liver. It is difficult to say which is entitled
to a preference. Idiosyncracy has something

to do with it; but there is evidently no
important difference in their action on this
organ. In setting forth the claim of the Red
Sulphur for equality with the others, we only
do that which experience justifies, and in the
second form, at the head of this article, (Chronic
Hepatitis,) it is the only water which will
fulfil the indications required.

We will notice in this place Chronic Diarrhœa,
connected with functional disease of
the liver, which will close our remarks on the
internal organs. This disease is extensive in
our country, on account of the variability of
the climate, which acts unfavourably on a
system previously disposed to it. The most
common forms of diarrhœa are bilious diarrhœa
and mucous diarrhœa. The former is
more generally, in warm climates, consequent
on hepatic disease; the latter may either be
symptomatic of inflammation of the intestines,
or may be idiopathic, arising from congestion
or irritation of the mucous membrane. When
this affection becomes chronic, it is frequently
difficult to manage, and requires great care
and judgment. Drastic remedies of every kind
do mischief, and we should find a mild alterative,

which, combining with change of air, free
exercise, prudent diet, and the warm bath,
give the greatest chance of relieving the disease.
There can be no doubt of the value of
the warm bath in this disease, as proven in
our article on the Hot Springs.

We have never seen a case that was not relieved
at the Red Sulphur. The White succeeds
in some cases, when it is produced by
congestion of the membrane; but in many
cases it is of too stimulating a nature. Alternating
the Red Sulphur and Hot Springs will
be the surest plan. There are cases of this
disease in which the Sweet Spring bath also
acts with very decided and admirable effects.

The account already given of these Springs
has been so minute that little remains now to
be said as to their remedial properties. After
the book appeared, it was alleged, by one individual
at least, that we had written what he
termed an elaborate puff of a water, in the
success of which we were interested. In our
remarks on Dr. M. we have proved that we
had no interest such as was ascribed to us.
We confess we did take more than ordinary
pains to inform ourselves of all that could elucidate

the virtues of the Red Sulphur, and
now that no human being can suppose we
have any interest, immediate or incidental, in
its success, we re-affirm all we have said, and
declare that not only is our faith undiminished;
but that every year, since 1829, when we first
visited it, our confidence has, if possible, been
more firmly rooted. Whatever, therefore, has
been given to the public by us, was conscientiously
believed by ourself, and if we have in
aught deceived them, we also are deceived.
The analysis has undergone the correction of
its author, and we beg leave to call the attention
of the reader to this portion of the work.
It will convince any candid man that the composition
of this water is essentially different
from all the others, and we think it establishes
beyond doubt the possession of curative powers
previously ascertained by experience.

The estate on which these Springs are situated,
consisting of about 1350 acres, was sold
in 1843, under a Deed in Trust, to Andrew
Beirne and James A. Dunlap, and by them
purchased at less than one fourth its cost to
the former proprietor. Both of the purchasers
are since deceased, and the property is now

held by their heirs. We visited the place last
season. It was kept as well as might be expected
under the circumstances, and seemed to
receive its proportion of patronage. The
houses and grounds have been kept in pretty
good repair, but yet it did not look as spruce,
and trim, and gay, as of yore. This, however,
may have been imagination. Painting
and whitewashing contrast so beautifully with
the green sward and trees, we could have
wished they had received more attention. The
Temple over the Springs remains in an unfinished
state, and we fear will so remain.
The beautiful Summer-house on Mount Ida is
a ruin. Nought remains but some eglantines
which we planted with our own hands in bygone
days. Oh! how sweet was their fragrance,
with the dew-drops resting upon them!
What a train of thoughts rushed upon our
mind as we stood upon that mound and contemplated
the peaceful and lovely villa beneath!
How strange are the incidents crowded
into a few years! It appears as yesterday,
when we entered, at early candle-light, a
gloomy gorge skirted by dense forests and torn
by contending torrents. A few comfortless
cabins studded the little glen. No light was
to be seen, for those cabins had no windows.
A solitary light gleamed under the rude shelter
that covered the Springs. All around
seemed desolate and cheerless. Nor did the
morn bring on its wings a brighter prospect:
it only served to make darkness visible. The
sun shone brilliantly, but it shone not upon
the inhabitants of that valley. When it nearly
reached its meridian, then only did it
vouchsafe its rays, and before the afternoon
meal was ended, it again disappeared behind
the Western forests. Three or four years
passed away, and a visiter who had seen it in
its period of gloom, again entered that valley,
and he said: Where am I? No, no, it is not
possible! This is not the place I once knew.
Behold those ranges of beautiful building, and
the white railings, and the green-sward, and
the smooth walks, and the noble trees, and the
playful fawns and timid deer, and civilization,
and beauty, and elegance. Again behold! and
he who planned and perfected the lovely scene,
is gone to toil for his daily bread, and his rich
neighbour enjoys his life's labours—and the rich
man dies—and the poor man returns—and he
plucks the sweet eglantine, and he enjoys its
fragrance—and he is filled with gratitude to
that great Being who has suffered him to come
hither again, and look on that peaceful vale
—and quaff the limpid fountain—and recall
visions of the past.

The kind reader will pardon the apostrophe
produced by feelings we could not control.
And now, to return to things tangible: we
shall simply remark, that the idle stories which
he will hear that this water has been injured
by the writer, by blowing the rock with gunpowder,
is a base fabrication, and that there is
no depreciation, as a glance at the analysis
will show; but that it is pure and unadulterated
as the virgin snow on the summit of the
Andes. We, who know, assert this; and we
are, surely, as worthy of credit as the miserable
retailers of such wicked falsehoods.

Some distance up the branch is a little
spring which we discovered in 1840, and
which is now called Hicks' Spring—a gentleman
by the name of Hicks from Mecklenburg
having ascribed his cure from chronic
diarrhœa to its use. The general character
of the water is the same as that of the

great Spring; but it is weaker, and the temperature
higher, by several degrees. It has
this advantage, that it requires exercise in going
and returning; but we would not recommend
to invalids to rely exclusively upon it.
The stream is exceedingly feeble. The road
between the Red and Blue Sulphur is now, or
certainly will be completed before the next
season. It is one of the best and most beautiful
roads in the mountains, crossing the
Greenbrier River at a very interesting spot. It
will be a drive of five or six hours, permitting
the traveller to breakfast at one Spring and
dine at the other. In the whole round of the
Western Springs, there now remain nine
miles to be turnpiked, and these are the first
nine miles from the Salt to the Red. The
proprietors of both should unite and complete
this link.