Page:Guide through Carlsbad and its environs.djvu/22

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A GUIDE TO THE

sufficient to induce the bowels to act once, twice, or even three times a day. If the motions are watery and clear, the quantity of water taken daily must be diminished: It must be distinctly understood that the action of the Carlsbad water is not purgative only, as many patients are completely cured of their ailments, their bowels acting but once a day. It is unnecessary for females to entirely discontinue the use of the waters during the time of the menses, as one or two tumblersful of a cooler spring taken at home will do no harm, and in cases of weak menstruation the Marktbrunn and others may even be taken at the spring.

Although drinking the waters at Carlsbad constitutes the principal, and, with many people, the only cure, it must be mentioned that by bathing also its effects are considerably hastened.

For bathing the waters principally used are those of the Sprudel, simply because this spring supplies the greatest quantity of water. The usual temperature for a bath is 26° R. (90+12° F.) to 28° R. (95° F.), seldom 29° R. (97+14° F.) to 30° R. (99+12° F.), and the time is limited to from 15 to 30 minutes, seldom longer. The proper time for bathing is an hour and a half after breakfast (between 10 A.M. and 1 P.M.); some people take their bath before breakfast, or between 6 and 8 o’clock in the evening; but bathing after dinner is most in-