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THE
HARROGATE CURE
THE
MINERAL WATERS OF HARROGATE
The
Scientific Survey of the Harrogate Waters, placed in the hands of
Professor Smithells, F.R.S., of Leeds University, is now complete.
The work has extended over four years, and has been most exhaustive.
The results of the labours of this eminent scientist are far too
long and exhaustive to include in these brief notes, but anyone
sufficiently interested may obtain a copy gratis, upon application
to the General Manager. It, however, may be stated that the New
Analyses made show beyond doubt that the ancient quality of the
waters is fully maintained. An Analytical Chemist has been appointed
on the Staff, and it is the intention of the Corporation to utilise
all the resources of science in connection with the supervision and
use of the waters. Scientific assistance is also now available for
medical men in regard to analysis for therapeutic purposes, and
research work is continuously in progress at Harrogate on questions
relating to the waters and their medical uses.
Harrogate may justly challenge all Europe for the great number and
variety of its mineral waters. As before stated, within the district
there are no less than 87 known springs, differing in strength and
quality, the " Bogs Field " alone containing 36. Of these waters, 16
are used for internal administration, the remainder being devoted to
bathing purposes. Although it is probably unnecessary to say so,
yet, in view of the large variety of waters obtainable at Harrogate,
it will be of interest to the reader to know that every single one
of these waters are absolutely natural. A moment's thought should
convince anyone that a Spa with the reputation of Harrogate could
not possibly have achieved the popularity it has-a popularity that
increases year by year-by using waters which were artificially
prepared or tampered with in any way. The patient may therefore rest
assured that the only medicinal waters used for drinking or for
bathing are prepared in Nature's wonderful laboratory, and in that
only.
The
waters may be divided into two groups : Sulphur Waters and Iron
Waters ; and of each group there are several varieties, as is shown
in the following classification :
SALINE Strong The Strong Montpellier Sulphur
Water
The Old Sulphur Water
Mild The Mild Sulphur Water
The Mild Montpellier Sulphur Water
The No. 36 Water
The Magnesia Water
SALINE
The Crescent Saline Water
ALKALINE SULPHUR The Starbeck Sulphur Water
The Beckwith
Sulphur Water
The Harlow Car
Sulphur Water
SALINE IRON The Kissingen
Water
The Chloride of Iron Water
The Alexandra Water
PURE CHALYBEATE The Tewit Well
The John's Well
The Pure
Chalybeate Well
NOTE - The last three waters contain such a very small
proportion of saline constituents that they may be justly termed
Pure Chalybeates.
There is one very unusual constituent in some of the Harrogate
waters, namely, Barium in combination, presumably as a Chloride. It
is well-known that Barium Chloride has a great effect in raising the
arterial blood pressure, and it is strongly held that the compounds
of the element contained in the waters have a definite therapeutic
value, preventing the depression often caused by courses of sulphur
waters not containing this element.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
The
action of the Sulphur Waters depends on the particular water
prescribed, its quantity, time when taken, and temperature.
Generally speaking, they are laxative, aperient or purgative,
diuretic, or alterative.
SALINE
SULPHUR WATERS
These waters are most efficacious in cases of functional disorders
of the liver, especially those resulting from free living and
inactive habits, combined wit" excess of alcohol.
They are freely prescribed in cases of gout ; chronic rheumatic
arthritis and muscular rheumatism; gall-stones, in which remarkable
results are sometimes obtained ; and in catarrhal affections of the
stomach and intestines.
They are of service in the treatment of obesity and glycosuria ; in
anaemia of toxic origin ; in plumbism and mercurial poisoning ; and
lastly in cases of chronic skin disease.
The
Magnesia Water is markedly diuretic in action, and is used to
supplement the action of the stronger waters and to eliminate the
products of faulty metabolism. It is also beneficial in glycosuria,
gouty albuminuria, gravel, phosphaturia, and oxaluria.
ALKALINE SULPHUR WATERS
This section of the Sulphur Waters contain a larger proportion of
carbonates, relatively to chlorides, than the other sulphur waters,
and are justly termed alkaline. They are chiefly used for bathing
purposes, especially in various forms of skin trouble.
THE
SALINE IRON SPRINGS
Various experiments made on healthy subjects have shown that the
haemoglobin value of the corpuscle is increased both during and
after the administration of these waters. The success with which
they are given as invigorating agents, after treatment by one of the
sulphur salines, is a matter of common knowledge. The excretion of
urea is also increased.
Asthenic gout, rheumatoid arthritis, malarial and other tropical
anaemia’s, chronic nephritis with anaemia, and various forms of
chlorosis and anaemia of adolescents, benefit greatly by a course of
these waters.
PURE
CHALYBEATE WATERS
The
Alexandra, Tewit, John's and Pure Chalybeate Waters are mild iron
tonics used principally in cases of anmmia. They are particularly
suitable for administration to young children, and may be given not
only for their tonic effect, but also, in larger doses, for their
diuretic action when this is indicated.
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