that tea is an improper beverage for persons using the chalybeate water; any one may be satisfied of this by adding an infusion of tea to a glass of the water, which will immediately be decomposed; coffee is less exceptionable, though to a certain extent, liable to the same objection. The breakfast recommended, and commonly used by those drinking the chalybeate water at Tunbridge, is bread and milk, or cocoa, or chocolate.

Where

tea cannot be dispensed with, two or three hours should be allowed to elapse between its use and that of the water. As an alterative the directions given above appear to me more suitable, and have always been followed at Harrogate.

When this water agrees, it soon excites a pleasant sensation of warmth in the stomach, improves the appetite and digestive powers, and tends to exhilarate the spirits: its most apparent action is as a diuretic, if the temperature is cool; in hot weather it tends to excite perspiration. The general operation consists in increasing the power of the lymphatics, and imparting strength, tone, nervous energy, and vigour to the system.

I shall conclude these directions with the following remarks of Dr Saunders: "All the preparations of iron, and these waters, among the rest are known to tinge the feces black, a circumstance

apparently of no importance in itself, but of which the patent should be apprised, to prevent him from taking any groundless alarm." Chalybeates are of eminent service in an impaired or capricious appetite, and weakness of the assimilating organs, irregular digestion, flatulent distention of the abdomen, anxiety about the præcordia, difficult respiration from sympathy with the stomach, and occasional vomiting of viscid mucus. In those weaknesses peculiar to the female system, which deny the hope of offspring and undermine the constitution, these waters have often been productive of the best results,

Having shewn the propriety of some degree of caution in commencing the use of all these mineral waters, it is equally necessary for those who wish to retain the benefits they may have procured from their use, either to discontinue them gradually, or to be careful for some time afterwards, on their return home, that no reaction takes place. Moderate diet and an occasional aperient will prevent that tendency to plethora which is frequently induced by the sudden discontinuance of large evacuations.

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DISEASES IN WHICH THESE WATERS ARE APPLICABLE, AND THEIR EFFECTS, &c.

It is now fortunately unnecessary to enter into any discussion as to the healing powers of mineral waters in a wide range of the most serious com. plaints; these having been long uncontrovertibly established. At the same time in numerous instances, it would be extremely difficult to shew the precise benefit derived from their exhibition unaccompanied by the change of air, relaxation from business, early hours, regular exercise, agreeable company, and the thousand and one concomitants of a well-frequented watering place. Such a place indeed bears no bad analogy to a medical prescription, the mineral water being the principal ingredient, though there are several others added to increase its powers and regulate its effects.

The catalogue of diseases which have been benefitted by these various waters comprises a very numerous list, and when applied to them all, affords some foundation for the assertion of Dr. Neal, in regard to one. To enter upon the medical history of these diseases would be to write a treatise upon the general practice of physic; a mere enumeration of the symptoms would be equally unsatisfactory to both the professional and general reader the former being already acquainted with the symptoms peculiar to each, while the latter would receive little instruction, even in his own case from their most elaborate detail. An enumeration of the principal diseases in which they have proved successful, together with a few remarks on the action and effects of these waters will tend to direct the practitioner less familiar with the subject to their proper application, and restrain the patient from applying all the symptoms of every disease he reads of to his own immediate complaint.

Diseases have been long divided into two classes, acute and chronic; these terms sanctioned by habit and often useful in practice, are in many instances merely conventional, as the same disease at different periods, assumes either appellation. This division is particularly suitable to the present

subject, as it is to the latter of these, that mineral waters are almost solely applicable as a remedy. Acute diseases are now happily under the control of medical agents, when the treatment is prompt, vigorous, and judiciously applied; in this class the utility of the remedy is apparent, the relief obtained decisive, and the triumph of medical science complete. Here mineral waters give place to more active measures, and can in very few instances be required until the previous violence of the disease is subdued. In chronic affections, unfortunately, the picture is much less flattering, the most careful and attentive exhibition of the best means in our power is frequently unsuccessful, or only attended with partial relief. The number of remedies employed for the same disease too evidently shews the uncertainty which prevails; for were any two of all the numerous remedies employed in gout, equal to the lancet and abstinence in a case of inflammation of the lungs, me.. dicine might rank as a pure science, whose results were fixed by unerring laws. Nor is the want of success in many of these cases to be attributed either to the inefficacy of the medicine, or its improper application. Chronic diseases are generally. insidious in their approach, and become more complex as they advance; derangement of function

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