3 m. S. from Vichy, on the W. bank of the Allier, is the [Source Hauterive], 57° Fahr., used principally for exportation. In therapeutical qualities it resembles the Celestins.
[The principal use] of the Vichy waters is in the treatment of gout, and in chronic diseases of the stomach and abdominal viscera, such as dyspepsia, chronic hepatic disease, biliary calculi, fatty degeneration or cirrhosis, and in hæmorrhoidal affections, which are so often connected with congestion of the liver. They are equally serviceable in enlargements of the spleen and in many cases of hypochondriasis. Moreover, this spa is specially adapted for the cure of some of the chronic diseases of women connected with disordered menstruation, and for the anomalous “critical complaints” which often set in at the period of life when this function ceases. “The complaint for which nine-tenths of the English visitors drink these springs is gout; but it should be distinctly understood that Vichy water is not a specific for gout; it can only act on the gouty diathesis by improving the tone of the digestive organs, augmenting the secretions, and correcting the abnormally acid condition of the blood.” —Madden’s Health Resorts. “The Vichy waters do not cure gout. They have, however, a very beneficial effect when administered with caution in cases of either hereditary or acquired gout, whether articular or internal, acute or chronic. The proper time to use the waters is in the interval of attacks, and as far as possible from the last attack. If too near the last attack, a repetition is to be feared, and there is almost as much danger in provoking nature as in resisting its action in a crisis.” —Dr. Daumas. “We may then sum up the effects of a Vichy course, when judiciously prescribed, as restorative to the digestive and assimilative functions, and invigorative to the general health. The tone of the stomach is soon improved, digestion becomes easier and more rapid, pain and weight after food disappearing. The bile flows more freely. The bowels become regular. Diarrhœa, if previously present, ceases. The consequence of these changes is better assimilation, and therefore flesh is often gained. With the improvement in nutrition the colour returns to the cheeks and energy to the mind.” —Dr. P. James.
[ CHEMICAL ANALYSIS of the Principal Springs.]
|
GG = Grande Grille. Ch = Chomel. Md = Mesdames. L = Lucas. |
P = Park. H = Hopital. Ce = Célestins. Hr = Hauterive. |
| Acids and Bases contained in each litre. | NAMES OF THE SPRINGS. | |||||||||
| GG | Ch | Md | L | P | H | Ce | Hr | |||
| Carbonic Acid | 4.418 | 4.429 | 5.029 | 5.348 | 5.071 | 4.719 | 4.705 | 5.640 | ||
| Sulphuric „ | .164 | .164 | .141 | .164 | .177 | .164 | .164 | .164 | ||
| Phosphoric „ | .070 | .038 | traces | .038 | .076 | .025 | .050 | .625 | ||
| Arsenic „ | .001 | .001 | .002 | .001 | .001 | .001 | .001 | .001 | ||
| Hydrochloric Acid | .332 | .334 | .222 | .324 | .344 | .324 | .234 | .334 | ||
| Silica | .070 | .070 | .032 | .050 | .055 | .050 | .060 | .071 | ||
| Protoxide of Iron | .002 | .002 | .012 | .002 | .002 | .002 | .002 | .008 | ||
| Lime | .169 | .169 | .235 | .212 | .239 | .222 | .180 | .168 | ||
| Strontia | .002 | .002 | .002 | .008 | .003 | .003 | .003 | .002 | ||
| Magnesia | .097 | .108 | .134 | .088 | .068 | .064 | .105 | .160 | ||
| Potash | .182 | .192 | .098 | .146 | .151 | .228 | .163 | .098 | ||
| Soda | 2.488 | 2.536 | 1.957 | 2.501 | 2.500 | 2.500 | 2.560 | 2.368 | ||
| Totals | 7.997 | 8.043 | 7.866 | 8.877 | 8.687 | 8.302 | 8.327 | 9.039 | ||
| 1.2345 | 1.2345 | 1.2345 | ||||||||
| Saline ingredients in each litre. | ||||||||||
| Free Carbonic Acid | .908 | .768 | 1.908 | 1.751 | 1.555 | 1.067 | 1.049 | 2.183 | ||
| Bicarb. of Soda | 4.883 | 5.091 | 4.016 | 5.004 | 4.857 | 5.029 | 5.103 | 4.687 | ||
| „ Potash | .352 | .371 | .185 | .282 | .292 | .440 | .315 | .189 | ||
| „ Magnesia | .303 | .338 | .429 | .275 | .213 | .200 | .328 | .501 | ||
| „ Strontia | .303 | .003 | .003 | .005 | .005 | .005 | .005 | .003 | ||
| „ Lime | .434 | .427 | .604 | .545 | .614 | .570 | .462 | .432 | ||
„ Protox. ofIron | .004 | .004 | .026 | .004 | .004 | .004 | .004 | .017 | ||
| Sulphate of Soda | .291 | .291 | .250 | .291 | .314 | .291 | .291 | .291 | ||
| Phosphate | .130 | .070 | traces | .070 | .140 | .046 | .091 | .046 | ||
| Arseniate | .002 | .002 | .003 | .002 | .002 | .002 | .002 | .002 | ||
Chloride of Sodium | .534 | .534 | .355 | .518 | .550 | .518 | .534 | .534 | ||
| Silica | .070 | .070 | .032 | .050 | .055 | .050 | .060 | .071 | ||
| Totals | 7.914 | 7.959 | 7.811 | 8.797 | 8.601 | 8.222 | 8.244 | 8.956 | ||
The Larbaud spring, which is not given in this analysis, differs only slightly from the Célestins.
In a garden of a house in the Boulevard Victoria is a petrifying spring, containing a large quantity of the carbonate of lime.
Vichy: Drives.
[ Excursions.]
[CAB FARES.]—The course within the town from 6 A.M. to 12 P.M. with 1 horse, 1½ fr.; 2 horses, 2½ frs. By time, carriage and 1 horse, first hour, 3 frs., and 2 frs. each successive hour. Half the day, 9 frs.; the day, 18 frs. Carriage with 2 horses, first hour, 4 frs., the following hours, 3 frs. each. The half-day, 12 frs. 50 c.; the day, 25 frs.