The taste of these waters is peculiar, and rather sweetish. They constitute a drink which, at first, is very unpalatable, but which, by habit, is soon reconciled to the drinker. None of them will bear carriage to any distance.
299.HARROWGATE WATER is a cold sulphureous water, which has a very strong and fetid smell, like that of a damp rusty gun-barrel. To the taste it is bitter, nauseous, and strongly saline.
Its foreign contents are common salt, muriat of lime, muriat of magnesia, chalk, carbonat of magnesia, Epsom salt (199), carbonic acid gas, or fixed air (26), azotic gas, and sulphureted hydrogen gas.
There are, at Harrowgate, four distinct sulphureous springs, which appear to have their rise in a large bog, at a small distance from the wells. The water of all these springs is similar in its properties and its distinguishing characters, but as one of them is more strongly impregnated with sulphur than the others, this alone is used for drinking, whilst the other three are employed to supply the baths.
When the water of the former of these springs is first taken up, it is perfectly clear and transparent; and sends forth a few air-bubbles. Notwithstanding both its nauseous smell and taste, such is the power of habit in reconciling it to the palate, that, after a little while, nearly all persons who drink this water do it without disgust.
When exposed to the air it loses its transparency, and assumes a somewhat greenish colour: the sulphureous odour abates; and, at last, the sulphur is deposited on the bottom and sides of the vessel in which it is kept.
Such is the nature of Harrowgate water that a secret correspondence has often been carried on by means of it. A letter written with solution of sugar of lead is illegible; but if dipped into this water the writing will not merely become visible, but, in a short time, will appear almost black. Hydrogen has the property of reviving the metallic oxides: hence also it is that ladies who have used metallic cosmetics have become of a dark tawny colour by bathing in these waters.
Harrowgate has long been celebrated for its sulphureous waters. It has also two very valuable chalybeate springs, called theOld Spa, and theTewit Well, the water of which was formerly used internally, whilst the other water was confined to external use. But, at present, the latter is employed to very great extent as an internal medicine.
The two villages of High and Low Harrowgate are situated in a pleasant open country, in the centre ofthe county of York, near the town of Knaresborough, and about 212 miles north of London.
300.MOFFAT WATER is a cold sulphureous water, the smell of which is precisely similar to that of Harrowgate water, and the taste simply saline, and without any bitterness.
Its foreign contents are common salt, together with carbonic acid gas, azotic gas, and sulphureted hydrogen gas. It is consequently very simple in its composition.
Moffat is a village situated, at the head of a valley, on the banks of the river Annan, and about fifty-six miles south-west of Edinburgh. It is surrounded by hills, some of which are very lofty. This village has obtained so much celebrity, on account of its waters, as to be considered the Harrowgate of North Britain. These issue from a rock which is at a little distance below a bog, whence, probably, they derive their sulphureous ingredients. The principal spring is contained within a stone building, and affords a sufficient quantity of water to supply every demand. It is drawn by a pump.
When the water is first taken from the well it appears somewhat milky and bluish. It sparkles a little; but, on being exposed to the air, it becomes turbid, and throws up a thin film, which, on examination, will be found pure sulphur. This change takes place even in close vessels, so that it cannot be sent to any distance with advantage.
The common people so much esteem this water that many of them drink at the rate of from six to ten quarts of it in a morning, and one instance has been stated of a person drinking thirty-two quarts of it in eight hours.