KARLSBAD, kiirls'bilt. or CARLSBAD. One of the most celebrated watering-places of Europe, situated in the northwestern part of Bohemia, on both banks of the Tepl, at an eleva tion of 1165 feet, 116 miles by rail west-north west of Prague (Nap: Austria, C 1). It lies in a narrow and romantic valley, inclosed by wood ed heights. It is an elaborately laid-out town, with a number of fine streets, a magnificent park, a splendid French Renaissance Kurhaus, two theatres, churches of different denomina tions, and several elegant cafes picturesquely situated. The Spaniel colonnade is a striking iron and glass structure. The mineral springs for which Karlsbad is famous are 19 in number, and range in temperature from 165° to -17° F. The oldest and best known is the Sprudel (165°), located on the right hank of the Tepl. The waters of Karlsbad are clear, odorless, and salty, and chiefly used for drinking purposes. Their chief ingredients are sulphate of soda, carbonate of soda. and common salt. and they are ellivacious in cases of dyspepsia, rheumatism. gout, etc. They are exported extensively. The springs issue from a hard rock, and form a kind of crust known as Sprudelstein or Sprudelsehale, whieh serves for the manufacture of various useful articles and ornaments. The salt obtained from the water is shipped in very large quantities, as are also Sprudel soap and Sprudel pastilles. Karlsbad
is essentially an aristocratic' resort. It is visited annually by over :35.000 guests. Outside of the productions connected with the mineral springs there are manufactures of porcelain ware, and various products associated with agriculture. Population, in 1S90. 12.033: in 1900. 14,640.
Local le end ascribes the discovery of the hot springs of Karlsbad to Charles IV. in 1347, but their curative properties were known long be fore. Charles IV.. however, gave importance to the place by building, a hunting-seat here, and bestowing many privileges upon the town. The waters of Karlsbad were used only for bathing until about 1520. The first Kurhaus was built in 1711. In 1707 the town was raised to the rank of a free royal city. In 1819 a conference arranged by the German States was held at Karlsbad, resulting in the issue of the Carls bad Decrees (q.v.). Consult: Friedenthal, Dor Kurort Karlsbod topographisch and wrdizinisch (Vienna, 1895) ; Fleekles, Drr Karlslnalc• !last (2(1 etas Karlsbad, 1'180) ; Cartellieri. Karig had ads Karorl ( Ka r1F.bad, 1 SSS ) ; id., Karlsbad, die Sladt and (line razgcbung (Karlsbad, 1)38S) ; Oswald, Kaasbad and Umgeburgen (12th ed., Berlin, 1896).