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highest commendation, and if we must allow something for the natural partiality which a German writer must feel for his own mineral springs, we must, however, admit that the greater number of his observations on this subject have been amply confirmed by later practitioners. The cases for which Seltzer water may be used with an undoubted prospect of advantage, seem to be the following. It is particularly serviceable in relieving some of the symptoms that indicate a morbid affection of the lungs: in slow hectic fever, attended with frequent flushing and profuse night sweats and with constant cough and purulent expectoration; it will oftén, in a high degree, check the violence of perspiration, diminish the discharge from the lungs, and correct its fetor, and under the operation of this medicine, the patient will for a time be able to gain quieter nights and more appetite. This excellent property of allaying feverish irritation may also be applied in many anomalous cases, where a tendency to hectic fever is suspected.

Another class of disorders for which this water often brings considerable relief, is in those exanthematous eruptions of the skin that are attended with general irritation, which were formerly ascribed to a scorbutic acrimony of the humours. Miliary eruptions, and all those that are not merely local and with which the stomach strongly sympathizes, often give way to the use of this water.

From the nature of both the active contents of Seltzer water, the soda and carbonic acid, we might expect great benefit from its use in various derangements of the alimentary canal; and accordingly we find that this is one of the most important of its uses. Foulness of stomach, bilious vomiting, acidity and heart-burn, spasmodic pains in any part of the alimentary canal, are the symptoms for which this medicine brings the greatest relief.

On account of the property of this water in relieving spasmodic pains, and from its rapid determination to the kidnies, and, perhaps, its alkaline contents, it has been sometimes employed with great advantage in diseases of the urinary organs, especially those that are attended with the formation of calculus. What power it may exercise over these concretions is not yet fully determined; but it is certain that under the use of this medicine, the mucous, sabulous, and often purulent discharge, that accompany the urine, is rendered much less painful, and in general, micturition is much less difficult. A large proportion of the Seltzer water, either genuine or artificial, that is consumed in this country, is for the relief of these disorders. Even in gonorrhea, either simple or venereal, Hoffman asserts the advantage to be derived from this medicine.

In hypochondriac complaints and their attendant symptoms, especially those of dyspepsia, Seltzer water is of considerable service in cor

recting the strong tendency to spasmodic pains in the stomach, and other irregularities of the alimentary canal. Seltzer water mixes soon with milk, and will not soon coagulate it. This mixture is strongly recommended by Hoffman in cases of hectic fever with expectoration, and it may also be sometimes advisable, in order to dilute the water, which in its most active state proves too powerful for very irritable habits.

The usual dose of this water is from half a pint to a pint.

Seltzer water is one that may be drank freely in most cases, and seems to require less precaution in its exhibition than most of the other mineral waters whose sensible properties and medicinal powers are so considerable. The chief precaution necessary during its use is to pre serve a regular state of the bowels. From its pleasant taste and the exhilirating effects which it produces on the spirits, it is largely used at table as a common drink in Germany and Holland; and the circumstance of agreeable flavour is no small recommendation with patients who, during a long indisposition and irritability of stomach, have conceived an utter aversion to any of the numerous class of tonics and stimulants that stand on the list of the Materia Medica.

Of all the mineral waters for the use of those who drink them, not so much as an article of luxury as an article of the Materia Medica, that which is denominated Soda water, from the powerful alkali it exhibits, is perhaps one of the most salutary. Its physical properties are completely enumerated below, but they who are disposed to mingle it either with milk, beer, or wine, will find it a useful addition to either of those articles.

Soda Water.

This is well known to have great effect in complaints of the kidnies, ureters, or bladder, when these organs are either obstructed or irritated by calculous matter, or are in an irritable, corroded, or ulcerated state. While this water abates the acrimony of the humours, it dissolves and washes out the mucus and clears the kidneys, ureters and bladder from any matter of this kind that may be lodged in them; and it tends not only to prevent the generation of a calculus, or to stop the increase of one, but to diminish, as a solvent, such as is already formed. It affords the most desirable relief in the strangury. In cases of acidity in the stomach and indigestion, this water will be found very serviceable. Even in the gout those who have taken of this water for the stone or gravel have been cured of both diseases by means of soda. It may be taken to the quantity of a pint or more, daily, at three stated periods; morning, noon, and night, an hour previously to the several meals of the day.

If it should produce any uneasiness in the stomach (which is seldom the case) a tea-spoonful or two of rum, brandy, or any spicy medicated tincture may be added.

In very cold weather it is sometimes best taken with warm milk. No regimen is particularly required, but such as temperance dictates.

It must be remembered that the three sorts of single, double, and triple acidulous Soda water, so denominated from the quantity of Soda salt it contains, are recommended to be taken in proportion as the stomach can bear, or as the disease requires a larger portion of the Soda. The double is generally used.

It is said that the late Premier, Mr. Pitt, was in the daily habit of drinking this water during those fatiguing hours of the morning when he was occupied by the cares of his official bureau. Whether Mr. Pitt derived health or pleasure from this beverage, we will not stay to inquire, but merely add, that it is one of the most grateful liquors to which we may be conducted by the Naiad of the mineral spring.

Pyrmont Water.

This celebrated chalybeate spring at Pyrmont, in the province of Westphalia, is known over most parts of Europe as a water which possesses most remarkable sensible properties, and very valuable medical virtues.

When first taken from the spring it is quite clear and transparent, and sends forth a copious stream of air bubbles for a considerable time, in which respect it far exceeds any of the mineral waters that we are acquainted with.

The taste is highly agreeable, being strongly acidulated and possessing a pungency very similar to that of brisk Champaigne wine, but it is at the same time strongly chalybeate and a little bitterish. The taste of iron it retains for a long time, even though exposed to the open air. On account of the abundance of gas, if the fresh water be immediately bottled and well corked and afterwards removed to a warm place, the bottles are very liable to burst with the expansion of the air; hence when they are filled for exportation, they are suffered to stand a while uncorked to allow a passage for some of the carbonic acid gas, though enough remains to enable the water to retain all its properties.

The sensible effects which this water occasions highly correspond with the chymical analysis. When fresh from the spring, and drank copiously, especially on an empty stomach, it strikes the nose with a very pungent flavour, and produces a kind of temporary intoxication. At all times too it enlivens the spirits and increases the appetite. The first water sometimes acts as a cathartic, but this effect on the bowels is very uncertain, and seems rather to depend on the state of body of

the patient and the generally stimulating property of the carbonated chalybeate.

The diseases to which this mineral water may be advantageously applied are the same as those for which the Spa and others of the acidulated chalybeates are resorted to; that is, in all cases of debility that require an active tonic that is not permanently healing; various disorders in the alimentary canal, especially bilious vomiting and diarrhoa. The precautions required in beginning a course of these waters are similar to those of Spa, and the cases in which they are contraindicated, the same. Pyrmont water has, however, been thought to be considerably rougher in its operation, and more active; and hence Hoffman concludes that it is peculiarly well fitted for the use of the Westphalians, who are in general of a robust constitution, and live upon hard strong food. It is certain that whatever effects are produced on delicate stomachs by a hard water, may be here apprehended from the large proportion of earthy salts, and this is one circumstance in which an artificial mineral water has a decided advantage over a natural one. Pyrmont water mixes pretty smoothly with milk, and in this form it has been particularly recommended in gouty cases; and as it is so powerfully impregnated with active principles, it will bear a considerable dilution where this may be thought necessary, and still retain so much of the iron and carbonic acid, as to be equal in strength to most of the common acidulous chalybeates.

The dose of this water is about the same as that of Spa, under similar circumstances; but it may be observed that the country people who flock to this fountain of health on all occasions, partly for a variety of complaints, and partly to enjoy the kind of intoxication which it generally produces, have in general no other idea of proportioning the dose to their complaints than that of drinking it as copiously as the stomach will bear. When attention is paid to quantity, we may reckon about three pints as a daily allowance in common cases.

SUPPLEMENT TO VOLTAIRE'S LETTERS.

THE following interesting and elegant article is a version from the Journal de l'Empire, by a favourite correspondent, who has not only the power to translate, but the power to judge of what is most valuable in foreign literature. Although the name of Voltaire has been trumpeted throughout the earth, and the versatility of his talents sufficiently acknowledged, both by friend and foe, yet so voluminous and expensive

are his writings that many a polite scholar, perfectly familiar with his Candide, his Henriade, and his Histories is an utter stranger to many pieces written in the decline of our voluble author. Although such is the complexion of many of the pages of this infidel wit, we might hope that they might be d fountain sealed to the majority of men, yet, when Voltaire can refrain from ridiculing Religion, insulting Decency, and misrepresenting Politics, he is entitled to the attention of the scholar and the wit. The style of this extraordinary Frenchman is always brilliant, and his sentiments are sometimes just and useful. In the progress of the very valuable Review, of which this is a slight introduction, the curious reader will perceive a new proof of the astonishing inaccuracy of the rapid and superficial philosopher of Ferney. We may admire him as a dramatic writer. We may laugh with him as a novelist. We may relish him as a poet, but as an historian, or a reasoner, he is not entitled to much respect; and, when he has the audacity to criticise Shakspeare, or meddle with the idiom of the English, he either pro vokes our anger at his malignity, or our contempt for his weakness.

EDITOR.

Supplement to the Collection of the Letters of Voltaire. Paris, pub lished by Xhrouet, 2 vols. 8vo. pr. 12 francs.

THE hundred volumes, or little less, which we have already, do not then complete the works of Voltaire? More than twenty volumes of letters do not contain all the correspondence of this indefatigable writer; who, embracing every subject, and assuming every style, composed, at the same time, long poems and little pamphlets; tragedies as well as wanton epistles, and light tales, works sometimes noble and dignified, sometimes improper and shameful; philosophical treatises, in which the cause of wisdom, moderation, justice, and the reciprocal courtesies which men, especially literary men, owe to each other, were supported often with dignity, and always with infinite talent and grace: and detestable libels, which trample on all justice, all wisdom, all moderation, filled with atrocious insults on estimable writers: and who, multiplying in a way till then unknown, volumes of verse and prose, astonished the republic of letters more by the fertility of his genius than the charms and the graces of his talents; while in the midst of all these various productions, he maintained the most extensive correspondence which the history of literature has recorded.

No one ridiculed more agreeably than Voltaire, the inexhaustible fertility of certain writers and the prodigious multiplication of books. "In spite of the law against multiplying beings unnecessarily,” with a great deal of pleasantry he laughs at Dr. Caramuel, who projected writing neither more nor less than a hundred volumes, and had made VOL. I. ૨ ૧

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