1. All congested states of the portal system of veins, indicated by torpid bowels, loss of appetite, hæmorrhoids, and gouty complaints; and the various diseases connected with inactivity of the abdominal circulation, such as hypochondriasis, dyspepsia, morbid sensibility, headaches, &c. Numerous cases of chronic rheumatism and gout, which are so frequently associated with congestion of the vena portæ, are relieved by the use of the Marienbad waters.
2. Diseased state of the mucous membranes, such as some obstinate catarrhs, affections of the mucous coat of the bladder, uterus, &c.
3. Plethora, sanguineous congestions, crampy pains of the limbs, absent or difficult menstruation, and the numerous morbid symptoms dependent upon this state.
4. Torpor of the bowels, and its host of attendant evils.
“By means of its property of increasing all the secretions and excretions of the body, and of bringing out cutaneous eruptions and gouty affections to the limbs, the Kreuzbrunn waters at Marienbad are an excellent remedy in numerous diseases which depend either upon a plethoric state of the abdominal circulation, or upon the accumulation of impurities in the bowels, or upon an unhealthy condition of the mucous membranes. At the same time, they subdue the morbid irritability of the whole system, or of individual parts; they remove congestions, plethora, and various evils dependent upon these. They are especially useful in all cases where Nature herself seems to be striving to induce either an increase of the secretions, or a flow of blood from certain parts, as the nose, anus, &c.”
When the Marienbad waters do not prove sufficiently aperient, a small portion of Glauber or Epsom salts may be added to it. In some cases, the waters will agree better, if previously heated; and in others, they are usefully combined with a little warm milk, or with a small portion of wine.
Dr. Herzig is an attentive physician, who speaks English, and may be usefully consulted by my countrymen. I have also to express my grateful thanks to Dr. Heidler, the spa physician of Marienbad, for his kindness and attention.