ORDER III.—MINERAL WATERS.
1. THE MORE SIMPLE COLD WATERS.
280. MALVERN WATER is a simple cold water, perfectly bright and pellucid: it has an agreeable, and somewhat pungent flavour; but, in other respects, it does not differ in taste from pure and good soft water.
It contains carbonic acid ([26]), and a very small portion of earth, either lime or magnesia; but, the carbonic acid perhaps excepted, the foreign bodies are less in quantity than those even of our common spring water.
The spring from which this water principally issues is denominated the Holy Well: and is situated high up the hill, about midway between the villages of Great and Little Malvern, in Worcestershire.
Both as an external and internal application, the waters of Malvern have been considered beneficial in many obstinate complaints. It is a singular circumstance respecting them that, notwithstanding their apparent purity, if they be exposed to the air in an open vessel, they will soon acquire a fetid and unpleasant smell.
Malvern is principally frequented during the summer season.[[5]]
[5]. Adjoining to Great Malvern, and a little higher up the hill, there is a very light and pleasant chalybeate water.
2. THE MORE SIMPLE WARM WATERS.
281. BRISTOL HOT-WELL WATER is pure, warm, and slightly acidulated, clear, sparkling, and agreeable to the palate, but without any very decided taste. It is also destitute of smell. When poured into a glass it sends forth numerous air-bubbles. The heat of this spring is very moderate, the average being about 74° of Fahrenheit’s thermometer; and this heat does not sensibly vary during summer or winter.