White Sulphur papers; or, Life at the springs of Western Virginia

APPENDIX. 157
ACIDULOUS SPRINGS.
" Under this head many writers on mineral waters place
all those springs which contain a large proportion of free
carbonic acid,
They are for the most part cold, very sparkling,
and effervescing without smell, of a sharp piquant taste,
and soon lose their properties by exposure to the atmosphere.
Tlieir operation is cooling and refreshing, and at
the same
time exhilirating, altering the quality of the secretions of the
alimentary canals and kidneys, and increasing their quantity.
These waters are very commonly taken either pure or
mixed with wine, as an ordinary beverage, and are
not unfrequently
exhibited in febrile and inflammatory complaints.
They sometimes, however, prove too exciting, producing
head-aches, heaviness, confusion of ideas, with general
agitation and sleeplessness ;
cases of dyspepsia, nervous
but are highly useful in many
affections, with the character
of relaxation or torpor,
of the urinary organs.
pulmonary complaints, and diseases
The sweet water is perhaps the best
and most familiar water of this class."
Under the above head may be classed the Sweet
Sprmgs, in Monroe county, Virginia, which has
been described in the preceding chapter.
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