Although the caprice of fashion, and the attractions of other watering-places have damaged Spa, it is still resorted to by many people of this country, and great numbers from France, Belgium, and Germany.
POUHON.
This is the most ancient of the springs. It is situated in the middle of the town, surrounded by a marble basin, whence is bottled immense quantities of the waters for France, England, Holland, and Germany. Steers, who practised here for twenty-five years, is not behind his brethren of the spas, in his eulogies of the Pouhon waters. “They have an agreeable tartness, and have worked many miracles. Their effects are all but supernatural, and have excited the curiosity and admiration of physicians and philosophers who have come here from various countries.”
It is very clear when received into a glass, which becomes covered on the sides with bubbles of air, that also rise on the surface. The acidulous and piquant taste is succeeded by a smack of steel. On standing for some time there is a deposition of iron at the bottom of the glass, in consequence of the disengagement of carbonic acid. Peter the Great, who came here exhausted, and menaced with dropsy, completely recovered—and his statue stands over the Pouhon as no mean certificate of the medicinal powers of the spring.
The second source, Sauveniere, is half a league out of the town, and situated in a romantic spot. This spa contains less iron than the Pouhon, and used to precede the others in drinking.
The Geronsterre was known to De Steers. It is to the south of the town, but now of easy access by a beautiful road. This spring disengages some sulphuretted hydrogen gas, which distinguishes it from the others.
The Tonnelet is situated between the Pouhon and Sauveniere, and has three springs, all of the same quality.
Constituents of One Gallon (231 Cubic Inches).
| SOURCES. | Carb.-Acide Gas. Cub. Inch. | Solid Matters. Grains | Muriate of Soda. Grains | Carbonate of Soda. Grains | Carbonate of Lime. Grains | Oxide of Iron. Grains | Temperature. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pouhon | 262 | 27 | 1 | 2¼ | 9 | 5¼ | 50°F. |
| Geronsterre | 168 | 12½ | ½ | 1½ | 5¼ | 1 | 49° |
| Sauveniere | 241 | 8½ | ¼ | ½ | 3¾ | 2¼ | 49° |
| Tonnelet | 280 | 5½ | .. | .. | 1½ | 2¾ | 49° |
From the above it will be seen that iron and large quantity of carbonic acid gas are the main ingredients in the spa waters—and consequently that they are simple chalybeates—without aperient qualities.