OF
CENTRAL FRANCE.
THERMAL SALINE WATERS,
PLOMBIÈRES.
Plombiers, a small town in the department of Vosges, twenty-four leagues from Nancy, is situated between mountains in a deep narrow valley watered by the Augrome.
According to a careful analysis made by M. Vauquelin, these waters contain Subcarbonate of Soda, Sulphate of Soda, Chloride of Sodium, Subcarbonate of Lime, and Silex. He affirms that they also contain an animal matter greatly resembling gelatine, which performs an important part in their action upon the animal economy; to this ingredient he attributes the fetid odour which occasionally arises from the waters.
The thermal waters of Plombières, are classed as follows:—1st The Bain des Dames; having a heat of 126° Fahr 2nd—The Source du Chêne, or du Crucifix; this is the only one of the waters not used for bathing, but solely for drinking. 3d—The source du Grand-Bain or du milieu, the temperature of the former is 130°: and of the latter 142° Fah. The Grand Bain is called the Bain des pauvres. 4th—The Bain-tempéré, which is supplied by two sources; one at 90° and the other at 113° Fah. 5th—The Petit-Bain or Capucins, is 113° Fah. Its basin is divided into two parts, the temperature of the water there being 95° to 97° Fah. 6th—The Bain-Neuf or Royal, has a square basin which receives the waters from a source formerly called l'enfer, and had originally, a temperature of 153° Fah. being the hottest of the number. 7th—There is another source, called the source de Bassompierre, situated at the upper part of the town.
These waters are stimulant, giving increased activity to the circulation, and in great reputation for the cure of Chlorosis (green sickness) chronic enteritis, neuralgia, scrofula, and in the chronic and painful stages of gout and rhumatism. Although rarely beneficial in severe cutaneous diseases they are in much esteem for their unctuous qualities, which impart softness to the skin and allay superficial irritations.
The season for taking these waters is from May to September, and this place is then much frequented; the accommodations are very good, in the principal street are arcades built by Stanislaus, king of Poland, under which the company promenade.