Page:Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, volume 4.djvu/196

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94
MEDICAL TOPOGRAPHY OF MALVERN,

and eyelids, nephritic complaints, cutaneous disorders, &c. &c. The cures performed by this water, in scrofulous cases, are very numerous and surprising."

Considerable difference of opinion has existed upon the quantity and nature of the contents of the Malvern waters. Both Dr. J. and Dr. M. Wall agree that they are but very slightly impregnated with earthy or saline matter. Dr. Wilson Philip, on the other hand, contended that they held the carbonates of soda, lime, magnesia, and iron, with other saline compounds, in considerable quantity. The results of many carefully performed experiments, have convinced me that neither the Holy Well nor St. Ann's Well water holds more than three or four grains of saline or earthy matter in the gallon: they may therefore, perhaps, be pronounced the purest waters in the kingdom. The three grains which I found as the residue, after several careful and slow evaporation's, appeared to consist of muriate of magnesia, muriate of soda, and the sulphates of magnesia and lime.[1] The quantity of water issuing from the springs is, in some degree, influenced by the season. After great quantities of rain, they flow faster than in the dry season; and the quantity of solid matter found in an equal measure is, no doubt, influenced thereby.

With respect to their medicinal virtues, I can, in a very decided manner, add my testimony to the benefits derived from the use of the Malvern waters, both externally and internally, in scrofulous glandular swellings, and in chronic scrofulous ulcerations.

  1. Vide Appendix, No. 3.