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cinal waters loose their virtue, if remov'd to any considerable distance from their fountain head; but others do not, at least not so soo. To this last sort belong such, as are our Barnet, Ephsham and Dullidge waters;* This was in Numb. 51. by a mistake placed in Somerset, whereas it lyes in Dorset-shire. to the other fort belong our Tunbridg, Astrap and * Stall-bridge-waters; and all such like here or else where: And the common usage of the Sick, taken from the advise of their Physitians, and the Experience of all, in repairing to those respective places, sufficiently proues the common consent thereunto.
But though the effect be so plain and manifest, yet the cause thereof seems not to me so plainly discovered; and because you are pleased to your fore-cited words to subjoyne these; And even their quantity and bulk also, though in Glasses and under the Herm. Seal &c: I suppose, you intimate and offer, that the cause of the loss of their Medicinal vertues is upon the loss of their quantity and bulk: which also you aptly strengthen by the authority of the famous Doctors, French, ab Heer, and Frambesarius; and then in a parenthesis you put altogether, and cautiously say (doubtless thorough the loss of the Volatile Spirits) &c. And in the beginning to the very next paragraph you goe on thus; Whatever these Spirits be, that will neither endure to travel from the Place, nor will be confined in any bottle, nor under any seal &c. So that the sum of your Conjecture (for as other you propose it not) is, That this losse consists in the Avolation of some most subtle and penetrating Spirituous parts, not to be imprisoned by any any inclosure imaginable, but will find their way out, and leave the waters bereft of virtue, and decreased in quantiy too, and (what more is) perhaps of their weight also, especially if they loose of their quantity. But to this last you modestly add, Here we want instruction, whether that decrease was as well of weight, as of bulk &c.
That this Conjecture of yours concerning the Cause of the loss of virtues in these waters carried from their Spring, may be true, I do not absolutely deny, but further acknowledge, that it is the sentiment of very many, if not all, Physitians and Naturalists, that have concern'd themselves with the consideration thereof; and I my self have entertained the very samethoughts
