THE VIRGINIA HOT SPRINGS. When the health or pleasure seeker travels into the Warm Spring Valley of Virginia, he is inclined to forget that he is in the oldest of our American states, in the matter of civilization, and feels that he is going over country practically unexplored. The wildness and boldness of the mountain scenery, the wealth of natural forest and the primitive habitations of the people are suggestive of the new west rather than of the old, colonial state. Yet in this beautiful valley are mineral springs which have been known to the American people for over one and a third centuries, and over these same rugged mountains and down this same picturesque valley came our forefathers in years before our nation was a reality or even a serious prospect. It is a ride full of varied interest and surpassing beauty from Covington to Hot Springs, the wildness of the country giving no promise of the surpassing luxury, the home-like comforts and the wonders of modern improvement which await us at the Hot Springs. VIRGINIA HOT SPRINGS. 87 Where now the New Homestead Hotel spreads her generous wings and her spacious verandas, once stood the primitive hostelry of those who appreciaited the health giving properties of these waters ten years before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Railway Facilities.-From New York, Washington, Philadelphia or other eastern points, the Chesapeake and Ohio has through sleepers, while from Chicago the Big Four carries the passenger with the greatest comfort, making close connections at Cincinnati with the Chesapeake and Ohio. One may have luncheon in Chicago and breakfast at Hot Springs the following morning. From all western points excellent service is rendered by way of Cincinnati. Hotels and Sanitaria.-The New Homestead is unquestionably riding, mountain climbing and other amusements are afforded. There is excellent medical attendance by six thoroughly competent medical men. The bathhouse, constructed at a cost of some $150,000, is excellent and remarkable for its competent attendance and management and its immaculate cleanliness. The rates are from $4.00 to $6.00 per day. The Virginia is a modern hotel situated immediately adjoining the railway station and is now used only as an annex to the Homestead. The Alphin is an excellent hotel, well conducted and beautifully situated on the side of a mountain, commanding a delightful view and convenient to golf grounds, baths and churches. The rates of the Alphin are from $2.50 to $3.50 per day. The Climate.-Situated as it is, at an elevation of 2,500 feet above the sea and far from any towns or cities, the air is clear and uncontaminated, somewhat rare from the elevation and yet not so light as to offer any objectionable features to those who stand high altitudes with difficulty. Being in a valley between high ranges of mountains and surrounded on three sides by such protection, high winds are never met with and the climate all the year is exhilarating and fine. The nights in summer are invariably cool while usually the greater part of the winter is mild enough to permit ample out-of-door recreation. Mineral Waters.-There are six mineral springs at the Virginia Hot Springs and the waters of Healing Springs (situated three miles away, but under the Hot Springs Company's management) are used freely by guests. The temperatures of the waters are: (1) Boiler Spring 106 F., (2) Spout Spring, 106 F., (3) Soda Spring 74 F. The Boiler and the Spout Springs are used for bathing. The analysis of the thermal waters here are very similar and an idea of all may be gained by that of the Boiler Spring which is: VIRGINIA HOT SPRINGS. Combination of acids and gases: Magnesium sulphate, grains per gallon.... 8.476 Sodium sulphate, grains per gallon.. Silica, grains per gallon ... .23.076 3.684 .687 .539 1.946 89 The carbonates of calcium and magnesium are held in solution as bicarbonates by the excess of carbonic acid. The Spout and the Boiler Springs furnish the waters for bathing and at few places are the thermal waters so carefully protected as to the preservation of their original properties or prevention of contamination. The magnesia, sulphur and soda springs are used largely for drinking and are taken under medical advice. The magnesium water contains 17 gr. of calcium carbonate; 6.4 gr. of magnesium sulphate and smaller percentages of magnesium carbonate, etc. The sulphur spring water contains 16.9 gr. calcium carbonate; 5.5 gr. magnesium sulphate; 3.25 gr. magnesium carbonate and some free hydrogen sulphide gas. The soda or soda-lithia spring water shows much the same analysis and all contain considerable carbonic acid gas. The sanitary analyses show remarkable freedom from organic matter. The waters of the Virginia Hot Springs are quite similar to those of the Hot Springs of Arkansas, while the water of Healing Springs is almost identical with that of Schlangenbad and Ems of Germany. Therapeutics.-A medical man is most impressed, on talking to the physicians at Hot Springs, with the rationalism and the modesty of their claims as to the curative powers of the waters. This is so different from the "cure-all" methods of many similar resorts that we are at once inspired with the certainty of relief from the conditions for which the waters are commended. For rheumatism, gout and that group of diseases commonly attributed to uric acid toxication the waters are shown, by carefully tabulated case histories, to be remarkably beneficial. It is affirmed. that from eighty to ninety per cent of such cases obtain marked relief if not cure, and it is held that, if dietetic and hygienic lines are carefully adhered to, the percentage will be better still. In a large portion of these cases an acute exacerbation of the conditions is noticed with the beginning of treatment, lasting from three to five days, and the impression has gained credence that the severity of this attack is in direct relation to the benefit which will be obtained. A very severe attack promises very marked improvement. In neurasthenia and other nervous conditions improvement is usually noted; but it is believed that the climate, the general improvement of nutrition, the exercise and the freedom from care in this ideal resort have as much to do with recovery as the excellent mineral waters and the sedative and invigorating baths. After attacks of appendicitis or peritonitis, either operated or not operated, the debilitation may be overcome in this climate and in the free out-of-door life, while prolonged hot bathing in these thermal waters will relieve the tendency to prolonged abdominal pain and tend to relaxation and absorption of the products of inflammatory action. The treatment of syphilis could be as effectively carried on as in Hot Springs, Arkansas, but venereal cases are not taken at the Virginia Hot Springs under any circumstances. This makes the |