MINERAL SPRINGS.—Several of the mineral waters of this state have been long known, and annually ar rest the attention of the valetudinarian. Those most resorted to for remedial purposes are the Ballston and Saratoga waters, in Saratoga coun ty, and the Avon springs in Livingston county.
The waters at Ballston and Saratoga have been long known. In 1793, an imperfect account of them was published. The Sans Souci Spring, at Ball ston, contains a sparkling and acidulous water, of a highly chalybeate taste, and somewhat saline. Ac cording to Steel's Analysis, one gallon, or 231 cubic inches ofthe water from this spring,contains chloride of sodium 143.733.—Bicarbonate of soda 12.66.— Bicarbonate of magnesia 39.1.—Carbonate of lime 43, 407.—Carbonate of iron 5.95.—Hydriodate of soda 1.3.—Silex 1.—Solid contents in a gallon 247.15 grs. The famous Congress Spring at Sa ratoga contains cholide of sodium driodate of soda 3.5.—Bicarbonate of soda 8.982. —Bicarbonate of magnesia of lime 98.098.—Carbonate of iroi 1.5. Hydro-bromate of potash, a trace—total 597.943 grains: carbonic acid gas 311.—Atmospheric air 7.—Gaseous contents 318 cubic inches. The me dical qualities of these waters strongly recommend themselves as serviceable in a considerahle variety of disorders; and several American writers have written expressly on the subject of their great im portance in different affections of the digestive or gans, cutaneous diseases, constitutional vitiations. &c. &c. (See Hosack, on the 'lineral Waters of Ballston. Steele's Analysis, &c.) Inasmuch, how ever, as these waters are so universally known and appreciated, it will be unnecessary in this place to say more respecting them.
The Svon Springs are conspicuous among the mi neral waters of the State of New York. They are situate in Livingston county, within less than a mile of the village of Avon. They at present corn prise two springs within about 42 rods of each other, and somewhat less than one-third of a mile from the Genessee river; they issue from the foot or base of the high lands that border its flats or low grounds. They are denominated the lower and the upper springs; the former has been for several years known: the latter is but recently discover ed, and is preferred by some. Dr. Hadley has lately published an analysis of this spring, which seems to have been made with much accuracy. According to his analysis, one gallon of the water contains, carbonic acid 5.6 cubic inches, sulphur ated hydrogen gas, 12 cubic inches, carbonate of lime, 8 grs, sulphate of lime 84 grs, sulphate of magnesia 20 grs, muriate of soda, 16 grs, sul phate of soda 18.4 grs, and a small quantity of the other muriates. According to Dr. Salisbury, the lower spring, the first discovered, yielded to a pint of water, sulphurated hydrogen, 3 cubic inches, carbonate of lime 1 grain, sulphate of lime 16 grs, muriate of magnesia, 5.8 grs, sulphate of magnesia, 1.75 grs, muriate of soda, 3.28 grs. A
recent minute analysis of boll, these waters lately instituted by Professor J. W. Francis of New York, has not evinced that either contains iodine in combination. Their low temperature also de serves to be noticed.
The value of these waters has within the past two or three years induced many visitors to partake of therm They may be ranked among the most pow erful and remedial waters yet made known; but like all other medicinal agents of a similar character, they are capable of abuse, and in certain states of the system. may prove injurious. Possessing ac tive emetic and cathartic properties, particularly the waters of the spring last discovered, it is re quisite that caution be exercised, not to indulge in them too freely at first; and as they are more or less exciting, they demand that previous to be ginning their use, the system should, in many cases at least, be first relieved by the employment of some efficient cathartic. In disorders of the di gestive organs, arising from torpor of the prima vita, hepatic obstructions and affections of the glandular system, in rheumatism and gout, and in many of the most formidable of cutaneous affec tions, these waters have secured the confidence of those who had previously suffered to the severest degree from those maladies. In pulmonary dis orders, their administration is to be regulated by the nicest precepts of the healing art, inasmuch as these waters are eminently calculated to produce powerful changes on the system, by their active operation. According to Professor Francis, who has for several years recommended these wa ters, they have proved available in several of the severest cases of rheumatic gout, and in some affections of the urinary organs. After the use of these waters for but a few days, the appe tite is greatly improved, and the general health, now invigorated, receives the impress and par takes of all the advantages of increased physical energy and mental vigour. When internally taken, these waters prove cathai tic, diuretic, diaphoretic and tonic. "When used for bathing, at the tem perature of 95° or 98°, they act as a most salutary detersive in cutaneous complaints.
Onondaga Salt Springs. These springs are situ ated in the town of Salina, Onondaga county, and are the property of the state.
The salt is manufactured at four different villa ges viz: Salina, Syracuse, Geddes and Liverpool, but much the larger quantity is made at Salina; the state receives from the manufacturers a duty of 12 cents per bushel for the benefit of the canal fund.
Quantity inspected in 1826, 827,508 bushels.
1827, 983,410 1828, 1,160,888 1829, 1,291,280 1830, 1,435,446 1831, 1,514,037The nett revenue derived from salt duties by the state, from 1817 to 1831 inclusive, is about 51,400, 000.
For a particular account of these springs, and those of Cayuga county, see our article SALT, Vol. XVI. p. 556-558.