HOT SPRINGS.
The next watering-place is the justly celebrated Hot Springs, five miles southwest of the former, and situated in the same beautiful valley.
"There are six baths at this place, called Hot Spouts, each supplied with water from a separate spring; their highest temperature is about 106°. These waters contain sulphate of lime, carbonate of lime, sulphate of soda, magnesia, a minute portion of muriate of iron, carbonic acid gas, a trace of sulphuretted hydrogen gas, and nitrogen gas. Taken internally, they are anti-acid, mildly aperient, and freely diuretic and diaphoretic. But when used as a general bath, their effects are great. They equalize an unbalanced circulation, and thereby restore the different important parts of the system when torpid; they relax contracted tendons, excite the action of the absorbent system, promote glandular secretion, exert a marked and salutary influence over the whole biliary system, and often relieve in a short time, excruciating pain caused by palpable and long-standing disease of some vital organ.
"The beneficial effects of hot spouts, topically applied, are so miraculous, in many painful and obstinate complaints, that words cannot adequately describe them.
"The effect of this bath on rheumatic and gouty affections, and on old, deep-seated, and chronic complaints, that medicine does not seem to reach, is very beneficial. It restores the surface to a good condition, and promotes the healthy action of the skin; and every person who drinks the water of the various sulphur springs, should afterwards stop here two or three weeks, and try the virtue of the boiler. There are, near the hotel, a hot and a cold spring issuing so near each other, that you can dip the thumb and fore-finger of the same hand into hot and cold water at the same time.
"These Springs are owned by Dr. Goode, who resides on the premises, and directs in the management. There are comfortable bathing houses for the accommodation both of male and female patients, in each of which suitable arrangements are made for taking the sweet or plunge bath; or for receiving douche when required."
The Hotel is well kept, which with a number of comfortable cabins affords accommodations for about 175 persons.
From the Hot Springs we proceed to Calahan's, 20 miles, from thence to the White Sulphur, in Greenbrier County, 15 miles. This is the most celebrated watering-place in Virginia. "It is situated on the western declivity of the Alleghany Mountain, some 6 or 8 miles from the summit, and 35 miles southwest of the Hot Springs, in an extensive and beautiful valley. Nature has made this one of the most enchanting spots in the mountains of Virginia. The lawn and walks cover perhaps 50 acres. A short distance from the Spring are the hotel, the dining-hall, and the ball-room: the rest of the ground is principally occupied with cabins and cottages. These are in rows, one story high, built of wood, brick, and hewed logs. These beautiful rows of buildings are designated South Carolina Row, Virginia Row, Alabama Row, Louisiana Row, Paradise Row, Baltimore Row, &c.
"The principal spring yields about 18 gallons per minute; and it is a remarkable fact that this quantity is not perceptibly increased or diminished during the longest spells of wet or dry weather; while other bold springs of the country have failed during the long droughts of the summer, this has invariably observed the even tenor of its way. There is no discoloration of the water during long wet spells, or other evidences that it becomes blended with common water percolating through the earth. The quantity and temperature of this spring being uniform under all circumstances, gives a confidence, which experience in its use has verified, of its uniform strength and efficiency.
"The present proprietor of this property came into possession of it in the year 1808, but did not personally undertake its improvement until the summer of 1818. Before this period, the buildings for the accommodation of visiters, although sufficient for the number of persons that then resorted to the place, were exceedingly rude, being altogether small wooden huts. The interest and enterprise of the proprietor, soon led him into a different and more appropriate system of improvement, and from small beginnings he has gone on, progressing in the rapid ratio of demand, until, from the 'tent' accommodations in 1779, and the 'log-cabin' in 1784, the place now, both in elegance and extent, exhibits the appearance of a neat and flourishing village, affording comfortable and convenient accommodations, (including the surrounding hotels,) for from twelve to fifteen hundred persons." For a full account of the White Sulphur Springs, we refer the reader to a work written by Dr. Moorman, from which we have taken the liberty of extracting one or two paragraphs. The White Sulphur Water has been analyzed by Professor Rogers, and the result of his examination is as follows:—