Page:Essay on the mineral waters of Carlsbad (1835).pdf/60

 disease excited by such perturbations. The Germans call it very properly a Bad-Sturm (bath-storm).

This hot water occasions neither nausea nor vomiting; it has an exciting action on the stomach, the bowels, kidneys, liver and other abdominal organs, of which it augments the secretions and excretions. Its action upon the alimentary tube produces a purgative effect; it acts particularly on the blood-vessels, creates often orgasmus and palpitations, and drives the blood to the head. It increases indirectly the activity of the lymphatic system, and it only begins to be tonic, after having brought on secretory and excretory effects. Such are the characters distinguishing Carlsbad from the more chalybeate and gaseous waters, which are more directly tonic.

Abundant purgation is not indispensable to the success of the treatment, and, in many cases, the best results are obtained by copious urine and perspiration; but that all these effects should be simultaneous, is still more desirable. At all events, costiveness should be obviated, and, with that view, we recommandrecommend [sic] a few additional drachms of Carlsbad salt, Püllna bitter water, glysters and the like.

These various modes of operation have always determined and regulated the use of our waters, and given them the first rank among the remedies commonly called desobstruent and alterative, in innumerable disorders, proceeding from stagnation and obstructions of the blood-vessels, or of the organs copiously provided with them, from which a variety