They have an alterative or deobstruent action, are therefore applicable to a long catalogue of maladies arising from congestion and obstructions of the abdominal viscera.
WARM ACIDULOUS AND GASEOUS WATERS,
VICHY.
Vichy is situated in the department of the Allier, 87 leagues from Paris, fifteen from Moulins and thirty two from Lyon, in a valley surrounded by beautiful and fertile hills. The excellent roads which lead to this town, the purity of the air, the comfort and amusement which may be found in it combine to render it one of the most frequented watering places in France.
Its mineral waters were known to the Romans, and vestiges of ancient baths, coins etc. have frequently been found here. In the 14th century a monastery of the order of Celestins was founded at Vichy by Louis 2nd Duke of Bourbon, and in the following century, during the wars of the Praguerie this town was beseiged by Charles the 7th, and although fortified, taken by him in 1440.
Both Madame de Sévigné and the famous Fléchier speak in the highest terms of the charms of this delightful place and vie with each other in its praise. It was visited in 1814 by the duchess of Angoulême, since which it has rapidly risen into notice, and owing to the exertions of the inhabitants to accommodate the numbers who now flock to these justly celebrated waters, few towns offer more resources to the invalid than Vichy.
The names of the principal Baths are,
1st—The Grande-Grille, temperature 104° to 108° Fah:
2nd—The Petit-Puits carré, temp. 113° Fah: