Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/153

 may now add Astrap-weli in Northampton, lately discovered, together with that at Stall-bridge in Somersetshire, which last begins also to be in high esteem for extraordinary Cures of the Scorbute, Asthma &c. which, besides common fame; is (as we were freshly informed by a worthy friend) attested by Dr. Highmore, who affirmes also upon his own Tryal, that it hath a larger proportion of the Minerals, than Astrap-water; but that the Force holds not, if removed from the Spring-head. And Dr. Wittie hath himself sufficiently asserted the Vertues of the Scarborough-Spaw; and particularly, that it cured the Asthma, Inveterate Catharrs, Heckticks, Consumptions, Scurvy, Dropsy, and other diseases, when they seemed seemed incurable: That an Alderman of Hull (to whom himself, and the famous Dr. Primrose, were, 15. years agoe, joyntly Physitians for the Asthma) had in few days perfect cure by the Spaw, and is yet living to vouch the testimony: So that all the neighbourhood are taught by frequent experience to sing the old Song of Claudian, which he made for his Aponus.

And this old Record may put use in mind, that lofty Groves and healing Fountains have been reputed Holy in old times; and we can show the Hospitals, which have been long agoe built and endowed on purpose to entertain the poor passengers in their travels to such waters. This I had not here mentioned, but to introduce our Authors weighty remark; That these Waters loose all their virtues, yea their quantity and bulk also, though in Glasses, and under the Hermetick Seale, if removed from the Fountain-head; that then they become suddenly putrid, ill-colored, loosing the tast and scent, and being very noxious, and begetting the Jaundise and worse diseases. The like is affirmed by Dr French, that the Knarsborough Water expires through Glass and the firmest Seales. And Dr. Heer affirmes of his Spadocrene, that by such removals, illas a communibus nihil discrepasse, ut quibus singulis lagenis aquæ vitrum (which is guessed to be half a pint) decesserat. He adds; Decedit etiam quantitati— si fons hic alio transferatur—quia spiritu turgentia plus loci, quam eo privata, occupare amant. And Frambesarius reports as much of the Sauvenir, that in bottles well healed up, there wanted to every lagena (flask) one Glass of its measure (doubtless through the losse of the volatile Spirits.) Here we want instruction, Whether the decrease was as well of Weight as of Bulk of Quantity.

Whatever these Spirits be, which will neither endure to travel from the place, nor will be confined in any botle, not under any Seal; Dr Wittie undertakes to evince by good Proofs, and manifold indications, that these Scarborough waters have a mixture or tincture of Iron, Allum, Nitre, and probably of a small dose of Common Salt: Nay, he affirmes punctually (p, 175) as upon his own Experiment, that 5. quarts of this water contain at the least an Ounce of Minerals, and in dry years, 10. drams; And yet that the usual dose for women to remove the Green sickness is 3. quarts of water, and sometimes more.