The Enquirer

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.

SIR,

As every observation, which tends in any degree, to enlarge our views of the Natural History of a Country, is not unworthy of attention, I take the liberty of forwarding to you a few experiments and observations upon one of the Mineral Springs of this State.

I know that this sketch forms only a small portion of those researches to which the naturalist devotes himself; but, we must begin; we must consider every faithful narrative of facts as essential to, the structure of that grand Temple of Science, which can be reared only by a particular knowledge of all those valuable materials, with which nature may have enriched any portion of the Globe.

Its various natural productions, however necessary for the accommodation of man ; whatever sources of wealth they might open to industry ; whatever extension they might give to the most useful arts; or, whatever blessings its medicinal waters may be capable of diffusing; must be submitted to philosophical investigation, before their proffered advantages Can be enjoyed. Hence, it should form one among the first objects of a newly created society, to know well the rich gifts with which nature has favored it, and, to what arts native materials particularly invite its citizens. But, it is to be lamented, though nature has lavished her bounties upon Virginia, not only in fertility and variety of soil, but in minerals, vegetables, and the innumerable medicinal waters, which rise amidst her vast chains of mountains, that the study of her natural history has so few votaries among us. We cannot, indeed, expect that any one should justly appreciate a science of which he is ignorant; but, were judicious efforts made to excite a taste for natural history by proper institutions, we should not long want a Humboldt and a Bonpland, who would bring to light the riches, with which this state abounds, and which require only to be known, in order to be rendered subservient to the most useful purposes.. w. a

The following analysis, tho' wanting that accuracy, which time, and a possession of the necessary reagents might have afforded, will serve at least, to communicate some idea of the nature and efficacy of the water; and may also excite others more skilful, and better prepared, to attempt a more complete investigation of its constituent parts.

This Spring is denominated--"Taylor's Spring," or, "The Yellow Spring." It rises in Montgomery County, on the east side of the Alleghany mountain, and about a quarter of a mile from its summit. The water forms one of the tributary streams of the north fork of the Roanoke, which is not more than two miles distant. "The situation of the Spring may be readily traced upon the late map of Virginia, as it lies between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, being nearly six miles from the former, and about 3 from the latter, The roads which lead to it from the east, are among the best in the state; the climate is exceeded by no other in point of salubrity : and, the accommodations, in every respect, are comfortable and agreeable.

Limestone prevails generally in this country, except upon the top of the mountains ; and, it is worthy of remark, that as this species of stone is seldom, if ever, seen upon the summit of high mountains in Europe, according to the observation of the celebrated Kirwan, in his Geology, so, the same fact appears to occur in America --The earth near to the spring, is strongly impregnated with sulphur. Rain water passing through a bank of this earth, thrown up from a cellar, becomes highly sulphureous.

The temperature of the spring is between 54. and 55° of Fahrenheit's Thermometer.-- Its transparency attracts the attention of every one.--Its taste is somewhat astringent, or styptic, not unlike the first impression of ink upon the tongue; or, a weak solution of the sulphate of iron, generally known by the name of green vitriol. The taste of sulphur, or the hepatic taste and smell is scarcely, if at all, perceptible; and so far from being unpleasant, the water is often drank by healthy, laborious persons in preference to the common Limestone water.

In running along wooden channels, the water deposits a brownish yellow sediment. The same kind of ochrous sediment is seen at the bottom of the spring, and particularly, on the sides of the vessel through which it rises. A blue sediment is also observed on some parts of the same vessel, which is probably, prussiate of iron. See Chap. tal. Chap. 10.--Concerning iron. Article 5th.

Upon standing 12 or 15 hours in an open vessel, the water loses, in a great measure, its peculiar taste, becomes flat, and deposits a very small quantity of a brownish sediment. If used as soon as it begins to boil, it is preferred in Cookery; but, if the boiling be continued, it renders whatever is mixed with it bitter and disagreeable.

I.

EXPERIMENTS made, principally, at the spring

1. The weight of the water, tried hydrostatically, with a pair of scales, which turned readily with the 4th of a grain, appeared not to differ from that of the common limestone water, both being nearly of the same temperature

2. Silver is not changed in colour, by pouring the water upon it, or by a continuance for some time in the channel thro' which the water flows. There appears to be no sulphuretted hydrogen in the water, from this Exp

3. An infusion of tea, or any vegetable astringent, strikes a brownish purple colour. --The same effect is produced when the water has stood in an open vessel for 24 hours ; and when boiled. the colour is much deeper.--This Exp shews, that the water contains not only the oxyd of iron, but, that it is combined with sulphuric acid; and not the carbonic.

4 Blue flowers strike a lively green, when the water is fresh, when it has stood 36 hours in an open vessel, and when it has been boiled--The presence of an alkaline substance is hereby indicated : but, it is probable that the green colour is produced by the lime contained in the water, especially as the same result takes place in any strong limestone water ; when the same test is applied

5. The water is quickly curdled by soap -- Salt of tartar turns it milky. Ley immediately turns it milky; large flocks are formed, and a considerable precipitate ensues of a greyish colour --All the results here mentioned take place after ebullition, and are more strongly marked than before; and hence justify the conclusion, that the precipitate had been in combination with a fixed rather than a volatile acid

6. Upon mixing lime water with that of the spring nearly in equal quantities, a milkiness ensues and a whitish precipitate takes place.

7. Air, collected from the water by boiling, precipitated lime in lime water ; shewing that the water does contain a carbonic acid. But the quantity of air collected from a quart of water was very small. No bubbles of air rise in the spring

8 Sulphuric acid, drop'd into the water, produced a slight effervescence, and disengaged some air, which was, no doubt, the carbonic acid.

9. Lunar caustic produced no change in the colour of the water, shewing that it contained no marine salt.

10. .32 oz. Av. of the water, boiled to dryness, yielded 23 grains of a whitish sediment ; small chrystallized spiculæ are seen shooting from every part; shining particles, of the appearance of Mica, are abundant ; the taste of the sediment is somewhat saline and bitterish.-s These chrystals appear to be those of selenite; whilst the taste indicates the presence of epsom salt.

11. The dried sediment agitated in lime water, takes from it its peculiar taste : and thus affords a proof, that the sediment contains, either carbonate, or sulphate of magnesia; for those acids, the carbonic and sulphuric, having a stronger affinity for lime, than for magnesia, will desert the latter to unite with the former. and thus constitute a compound, either insoluble or difficultly soluble in water. But when it is recollected, that it may well be doubted, whether nature ever exhibits that combination, the carbonate of magnesia; and also, when this experiment is compared with others, it appears to be sulphate of magnesia, which is here indicated

12 The dried sediment, with the addition of a little charcoal, exposed to a strong heat, in a crucible, becomes pungent and highly sulphureous. . The oxygen of the sulphuric acid is thus separated, and a union of lime and sulphur is left

13. The dried sediment, agitated in rain water, is partly dissolved, and strikes a deep green with blue flowers.

14 The ochrous sediment is soluble in alcohol, and hence is shewn to be the oxy-sulphate of iron

15. Upon 10 grains of the sediment, obtained by boiling, an oz. of alcohol was poured, and frequently agitated ; after standing 12 or 15 hours, the whole was carefully filter'd; the filter being accurately weighed before it was used.-- The sediment was found to have lost two grains nearly : the alcohol, from being colourless, assumed a light brown

16. Upon 10 grains of the sediment, previously washed in alcohol, and well dried, about 6 oz of water, which had been boiled, and cooled, were poured, and frequently agitated After standing 24 hours, a whitish precipitate of nearly 7 grains was obtained. To the water, which had been carefully poured off, carbonate of pot ash was added, which turned the water milky, and gave a very white, loose precipitate of nearly three grains. Upon each of the precipitates thus obtained, a small portion of sulphuric acid was dropped ; with the first, little or no effervescence ensued. It appeared to be sulphate of lime,-... With the latter, the effervescence was brisk, a chrystallized salt was formed, deliquescent, and somewhat bitterish.

. From this, and the preceeding experiment, it may be inferred, that a given quantity of the sediment will contain 2 parts of the oxy-sulphate of iron, 7 of the sulphate of lime, and 3 of the sulphate of magnesia. The water contains also carbonic acid, but not in excess, as it does not communicate, in any sensible degree, a subacid taste.,

This spring resembles, in many respects, the celebrated water of pyrmont, according to the experiments and observations of Hoffman; but the carbonic acid is not in the same excess: it exists here only in a state of combination. The sediment also differs in quantity; this water affording a 68th part of its weight; the other a 576th, tho' this more probably, contains a greater proportion of the oxyd of iron, and of the sulphuric acid in combination.

II.

The obvious effects of this water upon drinking it, are, 1st a sensible flushing of the face; or rather a pleasant warm glow is felt, attended with an increase of pulsation. In persons, whose pulse may generally rate 72 in a minute, it will soon rise to 86. or 90 after drinking a few tumblers of the water. In one instance, which fell under my own observation, the pulse of a person in good health rose to 100, after drinking freely of the Water, but without the least feverish heat.

2nd. It is strongly diuretic ; is light upon the stomach, and instead of causing uneasiness, or depression of spirits, tho' drank in considerable quantity, gives hilarity.

3d. It is gently purgative. 7 or 8 tumblers of the water, each containing about half a pint, produce this effect upon most constitutions,

4th. It excites appetite. and promotes digestion. If it does not act as an aperient, which may occur with those who do not drink it freely, especially before breakfast, headache sometimes ensues, in consequence of excess of food in which many indulge themselves; but this effect is easily removed either by temperance in eating, or by the aid of Cream of Tartar, &c.

III.

The cases in which this water has been found to produce the most beneficial effects, are,

1st In sores and ulcers, which have long baffled all medical aid. Cures, in many instances, have been effected by this water in a manner so speedy. and so complete, and that in cases of the most desperate kind. when amputation appeared to be the only resort, as might well excite a suspicion of the narrator's veracity. .were not the facts established by an evidence the most unquestionable. Thus, ulcers upon the legs. of many years continuance, and in one instance. of 19, have been perfectly healed by a few days washing, and drinking of the water. Nor has the water failed to effect an entire cure, in any instance, according to that testimony which may be relied upon, after its external. and internal use for 15 or 20 days. Humanity requires that this efficacious and benignant quality of the water should be widely known.

2nd. In all cutaneous disorders ; and in inflammation of the eyes, whether of recent, or of an old date, the water produces the happiest effect.

3rd. It removes obstructions of the Viscera. It has been known to cure perfectly a person who labored under an enlargement of ,the spleen, after medical skill had exhausted its powers.

4th. It is most serviceable in bilious complaints ; and in all cases of debility, acts as a powerful restorative.

It is not pretended to enumerate all the cases, in which the salutary effect of this water may be expected. I resign that pleasing task to the scientific Physician.- It certainly, however, deserves to be ranked among the most valuable waters, with which this state so eminently abounds: The proof of its salubrious effects depends not upon conjecture, or vague, or interested reports; but, upon facts, which have fallen under the observation of men as distinguished for their veracity. as for all those other qualities, which constitute respectability of character.

VIATOR.