"The Springs are formed by water percolating through a high slate bank or bluff, and which thus becoming impregnated with its mineral properties, is collected into basins or springs at the base of the rock. These are six in number: three Alum Springs of different degrees of strength, one Magnesia Spring, one Chalybeate, and one Sulphur; sulphate of iron and alum, suiting themselves to most of the chronic diseases to which the human system is subject. For all derangements of the stomach, liver, and kidneys, chronic diarrhœa, chronic thrush, and for delicate females, these waters enjoy a wide and rapidly-growing reputation; while for diseases of the skin, or cutaneous affections of whatever sort, they are invaluable, and perhaps not surpassed by any mineral waters known.
"To beginners the Alum Water is unpalatable and even repulsive; but as with the Sulphur, Saratoga and other mineral waters, so here, a longer acquaintance makes better friends, insomuch that 'old stagers' long for it as the toper for his bottle, and meeting with it in the cities would not give it in exchange for the finest soda-water, or the best iced lemonade."
WARM SPRINGS.
Five miles west of Bath Alum are the Warm Springs. This watering-place is delightfully situated in a fertile valley, immediately at the western base of the Warm Spring Mountain. The view from the top of the Mountain is very beautiful and extensive. The accommodations at these Springs are very good, and sufficient for about 100 persons.
The following analysis of the water is by Professor Rogers: "The bath is an octagon, 38 feet in diameter, and 16 feet 9 inches wide—its area is 1163.77 feet. The ordinary depth of water being 5 feet, the cubic capacity is 5818.86 feet, or 43533.32 gallons. Notwithstanding the leaks, this quantity of water will flow into the reservoir in one hour. The average temperature of the bath is 98° Fahrenheit. The gas which rises in the bath consists of nitrogen, with minute quantities of sulphuretted hydrogen and carbonic acid.
"Besides this gas, each gallon of water contains 45 cubic inches of gas, consisting of nitrogen, 3.25 cubic inches: sulphuretted hydrogen, 0.25 cubic inches; carbonic acid 1.00 cubic inch. The saline contents of one gallon of the water are as follows: muriate of lime, 3.968; sulphate of magnesia, 9.984; carbonate of lime, 4.288; sulphate of lime, 5.466; a trace of soda, no doubt in the state of muriate.
"While the Warm Springs afford the most luxurious bath in the world, they contain neutral salts and various gases, which act as a gentle aperient, diuretic, and sudorific, and give tone and vigour to the human system. It is well ascertained in other countries, that waters of a high temperature tend more to strengthen the digestive organs than those of a low temperature; but it is found, by actual experiment, that the water at the Warm Springs retains a considerable portion of its useful qualities when bottled in the Spring, and then cooled by immersing the bottles in cold water, or even ice; and this plan is adopted by many of those who have a repugnance to the use of warm water."
Twelve miles east of the Warm Springs is the Blowing Cave.