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

APPENDIX. 165
It therefore sometimes happens, that, in order to secure its
full effects, larger quantities than those indicated are required.
Nor is much oppression of stomach apt to be
experienced, by those enfeebled by disease, from much
larger portions. So lightly does this water lie on the
stomach, that invalids
have been often known to treble the
quantity above prescribed, without experiencing any material
inconvenience therefrom. A slight acquaintance with
the properties of the water, will, however, satisfy every one,
tliat such inordinate
quantities can be seldom necessary, or
proper, whilst experience teaches that they are
sometimes
prejudicial.
A serious error is frequently committed by invalids, at
the very commencement of the use of the waters.
Arriving
at the Springs with systems morbidly excited by long or
rapid travelling,
and often with bowels obstinately costive,
the invalid seeks the fountain, and hastily distends his
stomach with enormous quantities of water, under the erroneous
notion that he is to be benefitted in proportion to the
quantity taken, or upon the vague inference that
" if a little
is good more is better."
The consequence of this procedure
not unfrequently is a hasty determination in his mind that
the water is unsuited to his case, " for it disagreed with him
from the moment he took it." Under such an imprudent