Chapter V: Part I (2)

The business address of the proprietors is "Pavilion & U.S. Spring Company, 113 Chambers street, N.Y.," to whom orders should be addressed.

PUTNAM SPRING,

On Phila street, near Broadway. Used chiefly for bathing purposes. It is a tonic or chalybeate, and, as this goes to press, is being retubed. The proprietor, Mr. Lewis Putnam, is the oldest native resident of Saratoga.

THE RED SPRING.

This spring is located on Spring avenue, a short distance beyond the Empire, at the junction of Geneva and Warren streets. Red Spring Co., proprietors.

History.

It was discovered soon after the Revolutionary war, by a Mr. Norton, who had been driven from the place from fear of hostile Indians during the war, and who returned about the year 1784 to re-occupy and improve some buildings erected by him for the accommodation of a few invalids who came to visit the High Rock, Flat Rock, President and Red Springs. No other springs were known at that time, or for many years after. Nearly a hundred years ago the first bath-house ever built at Saratoga was erected at the Red Spring, and was used for the cure of all kinds of eruptive and skin diseases for many years. Through the neglect of the owners, this spring, with others near, was allowed to fall into an impure condition; the tubes rotted out, and for a number of years the water of the Red Spring was only used for washing sore eyes, bad ulcers, and the cure of salt rheum, etc. The springs of Ballston, and the valuable qualities of Congress water, drew public attention away from these springs, and it was only a few years since that the present owners of the spring retubed and secured this valuable water for public use. The reputation it had long sustained as a powerful alterative for the cure of blood diseases was confirmed; and for several years this water has been used with growing confidence and wonderful results.

Properties.

In a general sense its therapeutic effects are alterative, and it possesses a particular adaptation to inflamed mucous surfaces; scrofula in all its forms, dyspepsia in its worst conditions, and kidney difficulties, with every kind of skin disease, including salt rheum, which it never fails to cure, are prominent among the diseases cured by the use of this water.

Its general effect is to tone up the system, regulate the secretions and vitalize the blood, thereby creating a better appetite and better assimilation.

The analysis of this water does not indicate any properties that can account for its astonishing effects on disease, but they are supposed to be owing to its _peculiar combination_. Scientific men, however, differ in regard to this point and in regard to the analysis.

A greater number of _invalids_ are now using this water than from all the other springs in the place. This water is not used as a beverage. More than a hundred gallons per day are taken away by _real invalids_, besides that drank at the spring. To become acquainted with its wonderful cures one needs only to go there and spend an hour conversing with those who are using it for their various ailments. The water is used at all hours of the day and a short time is all that is needed to learn the high estimation in which it is held as a remedial agent.

SARATOGA "A" SPRING.

The "A" Spring is situated on Spring avenue, a little beyond the Empire Spring, on the eastern side of a steep bluff of calciferous sand rock, upon grounds which could be made quite attractive by a moderate outlay.

History.

The memory of that reverend being, the oldest inhabitant does not recall the time when the existence of mineral water in this immediate locality was not known. As the merits of spring waters were so little known and understood in the earlier days of their discovery, the demand was far below the supply, and no attempt was made to introduce this spring to public attention, nor any provision for the use of its waters. In 1865, Messrs. Western & Co. purchased the property, and at once instituted plans for securing the fountain; and a shaft twelve feet square was sunk to the depth of sixteen feet. The surface above the rock consists of bluish marl, similar to that found all along this mineral valley. A tube, in the usual form, was placed over the spring, and clay was used as packing around it. In the spring of the next year the fountain was more perfectly secured by a new tubing, and the water was bottled and shipped all over the country.

An ill wind seemed to be blowing, and in 1867 the bottling-house was nearly destroyed by fire; and the spring was again retubed to the depth of _thirty-two_ feet, going down to the solid rock, where one of the most perfect veins of water was found flowing in all its original purity, which was secured with the greatest care, in order to prevent the mixture of sulphurous or other waters, and carried to the surface through a tube made of maple.

At present the spring itself is protected by a temporary structure, while the water is bottled in a portion of the original building which was not destroyed by fire. The spring is at some little distance from the business part of Saratoga, and, since the bottling-house was destroyed no special efforts have been made to attract a crowd of visitors, though many who know the virtues of the water take the pains and trouble to go out of their way to obtain it, fresh from the spring in all its purity, as it is held in the highest estimation by all who have used it. We believe it is the intention of the present management to rebuild the houses and ornament the surroundings either this summer or next.

Of the original company, Jay Gould was President, and John F. Henry, Secretary. The officers of the present company are, John F. Henry, President; B.S. Barrett, Secretary, and Edwin F. Stevens, Treasurer. Mr. Henry is well known as the leading druggist in America and the largest dealer in proprietary medicines in the world.

Properties.

The water possesses a very agreeable taste and flavor, resembling in many respects the favorite Congress. Its principal action is alterative and cathartic.

SELTZER SPRING.

"Saratoga Seltzer Spring Co.," proprietors. Perhaps no one of the springs gratifies the curious more than the Seltzer.

It is situated about 150 feet from the High Rock Spring, but, although in such close proximity thereto, its water is entirely different, thus illustrating the wonderful extent and capacity of nature's subterranean laboratory.

Peculiarities.

The owners of the Seltzer Spring have an ingenious contrivance for exhibiting the flow of the water and its gas. It consists of a glass tube, three feet in height and fifteen inches in diameter, nicely adjusted to the mouth of the spring, through which the sweet, clear, sparkling water gushes in a steady volume, while, faster than the water, bubble up the glittering globules of pure carbonic acid gas.

History.

The spring was discovered several years ago, but only recently was it tubed so as to be available. The tube extends down thirty-four feet to the surface of the foundation rock. The crevice in the rock through which the water issues is about twelve inches by five. The column of water above the rock is thirty-seven feet high. The flow of gas is abundant and constant, but every few minutes, as the watchful visitor will observe, there is a momentary ebullition of an extraordinary quantity which causes the water in the tube to boil over the rim. When the sunshine falls upon the fountain it presents a beautiful appearance.

This is a genuine Seltzer spring. The character of the water is almost identical with that of the celebrated Nassau Spring of Germany, which is justly esteemed so delicious by the natives of the "Fatherland." Our German citizens, with their usual sagacity, have discovered this fact, and the consumption of the water by them is daily on the increase.

The importance of this American Seltzer Spring will be somewhat appreciated by the reader, when informed of the fact that nearly two millions of stone jugs, holding one quart each, of the Nassau Seltzer are annually exported from Germany.

Properties.

The water of this spring is very pleasant to the taste, being slightly acidulous and saline, but much milder than that of the other Saratoga springs. It is an agreeable and wholesome beverage. When mixed with still wines, etc., it adds the peculiar flavor only to be derived from a pure, natural Seltzer. It enlivens them and gives them the character of sparkling wines.

Saratoga possesses numerous objects of interest for the German population, surpassing even the famous Spas of Europe, and the discovery of the Seltzer will doubtless attract large numbers of this intelligent and genial people.

The analyses of the Saratoga and the German Seltzer springs are almost identical.

No people in the world, perhaps, consider a summer's excursion to a watering place so absolutely essential to life, physically, dietetically, morally and politically considered, as the Germans, and we are happy to know that they are beginning to realize the attractions of Saratoga.

The United States Spring is also successfully used for mixing with the still wines, and is attaining a popularity among the Germans.

THE STAR SPRING

Is located on Spring avenue near the termination of Circular street. Star Spring Co., proprietors, Melvin Wright, Superintendent.

History.

Under the name of President Spring, and afterwards Iodine Spring, the fountain now called the Star has been known for nearly a century; long enough to test its merits and long enough to sink it in oblivion if it possessed no merits. Its lustre is undimmed, and it promises to be a star that shall never set. During these many years a goodly proportion of tottering humanity have found in this spring an amendment to their several crippled constitutions. It was first tubed in 1835. In 1865 the Star Spring Co. was formed, and in the following year the spring was retubed under their direction. In 1870 they erected the finest bottling-house in Saratoga. Great care is taken to preserve the spring in a pure condition and perfect repair. The water has become immensely popular in New England, where it is "the spring," and throughout the United States and Canada.

For Commercial Use.

The water is sold in cases of quarts and pints, and besides, owing to the large amount of gas which is finely incorporated with the water, the company are enabled to supply families with it in kegs of fifteen gallons, in which the water keeps as well as in bottles, and at one-fourth to one-sixth the cost. This method seems to give entire satisfaction and is fast coming into general use. This is the only spring that supplies the water in bulk to families. The price to druggists in bulk is twenty cents per gallon, to families $4 per half barrel, to the trade in cases at $21 per gross for pints, and $30 per gross for quarts.

Properties.

The Star water is mildly cathartic, has a pleasant, slightly acid taste, gentle and healthy in its action, and yet powerful in its effects.

It is far more desirable for general use as a cathartic than the preparations of the apothecary.

Rev. Dr. Cuyler, in one of his peculiarly charming letters, gives the Star Water preference over all others as an active and efficient cathartic.

THE TEN SPRINGS.

This is the name which was formerly given to several springs in the immediate vicinity of the Excelsior, and embracing the Union and the Minnehaha, which have been recently tubed. The other springs have been neglected, and the name "Ten Springs" has been abandoned.

THE UNITED STATES SPRING

Is located under the same colonnade as the Pavilion, and less than ten feet distant from it. When the Pavilion was being retubed, in 1868, a new spring was discovered flowing from the east (the Pavilion and nearly all the other springs flowing from the west). It has been carefully tubed and christened the United States. It seems to be tonic in its properties, with only a very slight cathartic effect. It is now used for mixing with the still wines by our German citizens, who find in it the virtues of their own Nassau Spring. There are very few of the Saratoga waters that can be used successfully with the red and white wines, the presence of a very large proportion of chloride of sodium being considered an objection. The United States Spring seems to fully answer the purpose, giving to the wines a rich flavor and sparkling character.

It is a matter of surprise to visitors that two springs, welling up their waters so near together, should yet be widely different. Where nature in her subterranean laboratory obtains all the elements, and how she can manage that from one crevice shall issue a water whose ingredients shall never materially differ, and whose temperature shall remain constant throughout the year, while within a few feet she sends up an equally unvarying, and yet widely different spring, is indeed a problem, and the oftener one reflects on subjects of this kind, the oftener is the old fashioned observation repeated, that "let a man go where he will, Omnipotence is never from his view."

THE WASHINGTON SPRING

Is situated in the grounds of the Clarendon Hotel, on South Broadway.

History.

This fountain was the first tubed in this mineral valley, being opened by Gideon Putnam, in 1806. It was used for bathing purposes chiefly. Dr. Steel writes of it in 1828, that it is "found of eminent service when applied to old, ill-conditioned ulcers, and obstinate eruptions of the skin." A cluster of bushes formed a shelter for the external use of the water.

In 1858 a shaft eleven feet square was sunk round the spring to a depth of thirty feet. The stream seemed to come from a lateral direction, and a tunnel was excavated for a distance of thirty feet. At this point the earth gave way, and the water and gas flowed in so suddenly that the workmen hardly escaped with their lives, leaving their tools behind them. In fifteen minutes 12,000 gallons of water, and double that quantity of gas, filled the excavation. Rotary pumps, worked by a steam engine, were insufficient to remove the water. Another shaft, near the end of the tunnel, was sunk to a depth of twenty-eight feet, when the water burst into this also, and it had to be abandoned. A third shaft, twenty feet in diameter, and held by a strong coffer dam, was sunk southeast of the former. When the rock was reached two streams were found issuing from a fissure; one of them was tubed, and water rose to the surface.

This brief sketch will give a little idea of the difficulties and dangers incident to the tubing of some of these springs.

Properties.

This is a chalybeate or iron spring, having _tonic_ and diuretic properties. It is not a saline water, and the peculiar inky taste of iron is perceptible. It should be drank in the afternoon or evening, before or after meals, or just before retiring. One glass is sufficient for tonic purposes. Many regard this as the most agreeable beverage in Saratoga. It is frequently called the "Champagne Spring" from its sparkling properties.

The grounds in the immediate vicinity are very picturesque, and in the evening are lighted by gas. The Clarendon Band discourse their music on the neighboring piazza, and large numbers of fashionably attired people throng beneath the majestic pines, forming one of those peculiar group pictures which render Saratoga so charming.

EUREKA WHITE SULPHUR SPRING

Is about a mile east of Broadway and only a few rods distant from the Eureka Mineral and the Ten Springs. Lake avenue and Spring avenue lead directly to it. Stages run between the spring and the village every hour, passing the principal hotels. Eureka Spring Co. are the proprietors.

This is _the_ Sulphur Spring of Saratoga. _It is said to be unsurpassed by any Sulphur spring in the State._ Sulphuretted or hepatic waters acquire their peculiar properties from beds of pyrites or by passing through strata of bituminous shale and foetic-oolitic beds. These we regard as organic sulphuretted waters, while the others are mineral.

The mere presence of hydrosulphuric acid gas does not constitute an hepatic water: for the solid ingredients are essential; and these are found in that of the Eureka White Sulphur Spring, proving it to be a very valuable water. It is successfully used in the long list of diseases for which, sulphur water, both internally and externally, is so highly recommended by the medical faculty. Sulphur waters are very useful in the treatment of rheumatism, gout, neuralgia, and kindred diseases, and in glandular affections and certain chronic diseases of the stomach, liver, intestines, spleen, kidneys, bladder and uterus, and in dropsy, scrofula, chlorosis and mercurial diseases. It is beneficial, used both internally and externally in the form of baths at different degrees of temperature, best determined in each case by the physician under whose advice, as a general rule, they should be used. The water is highly beneficial in cutaneous diseases, inflamed eyes, etc. If the person is dyspeptic the non-gaseous water should be used in small doses. It may be as well to add that such waters should not be used if there is a tendency to cerebral disease, or in cases of consumption and cancer.

The water of this sulphur spring is remarkably pellucid. The fountain discharges upwards of 20,000 gallons per day.

A large and commodious bathing-house, containing fifty bath-rooms, with excellent and ample accommodations and superior facilities, affords _warm_ and _cold_ sulphur water baths. They are a real luxury.

This completes our list of the important springs. Mineral water of considerable merit has been found in several other places in the village and its vicinage, which, if situated elsewhere, would doubtless excite marked attention and popularity, but in the midst of Saratoga's brilliant galaxy and in the absence of any distinguishing peculiarity, they possess at present "no name."

DIRECTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE WATERS.[B]

The CATHARTIC waters, as a cathartic, should be taken only before breakfast in the morning, and possibly before retiring at night, because in the morning the body, refreshed by sleep, is best prepared for the water, and the stomach is empty. Two or three glasses are usually sufficient, if drank within a short interval and only a few minutes before breakfast. Many physicians attribute the cathartic effect to the "stimulus of distention" as well as to the absorption of the mineral properties, and for this purpose the water should not be sipped but _drank_. Before eating, the sipping of a little tea or coffee will make the waters more efficacious.

None of the cathartic waters should be drank in _large quantities_ immediately before, during or within two hours after meals, as they are then liable to disturb digestion and prevent nutrition.

When suffering from a cold the cathartic waters should be avoided. Those affected with lung complaints should not drink these waters.

As an ALTERATIVE, the waters should be drank in small quantities at various intervals during the day. As their alterative effect is from the absorption of the water, the quantity taken should be small.

The chalybeate or TONIC waters are liable to cause headache when taken before breakfast. They may be used with benefit before or after dinner and tea. Only from a half to one glass should be taken at a time.

The DIURETIC waters should be drank before meals, and at night, and should not be followed by warm drinks. Walking and other exercise increase the diuretic effect.

Attention to system should characterize the use of these as of other remedies.

It is impossible to give _complete and invariable_ directions for drinking any of the waters.

The experience and necessities of each individual can alone determine many things in regard to their use.

It is advisable to consult some experienced resident physician.

A moderate use of the waters will be found most beneficial.

The enormous quantities of water which some persons imbibe at the popular springs is perfectly shocking, and can only be injurious. It is no uncommon occurrence to see persons drink from five to ten glasses of Congress or Hathorn water with scarcely any interval, and the writer has heard of a lady who swallowed within a few minutes fourteen glasses of one of the springs. It is to be presumed that her thirst was satisfied, as no further account of her has been given.

Those who are taking a course of mineral water will usually find their appetite increased thereby.

An abundance of vegetables should be avoided, and only those which are perfectly fresh should be used.

Frequent bathing in mineral water and otherwise will be found beneficial.

Raising the temperature of the spring water, by placing a bottle of it in boiling water, makes it more efficacious as a cathartic, and is said to remove the iron. Heating the water makes it better for bathing purposes.

FOOTNOTE:

[B] This article is _copy righted_. Parties who wish to copy the entire article, or a portion of it, will please give credit.

The Saratoga Waters at a Distance from the Springs.

If the Saratoga waters are really what they have the reputation of being--and certainly no one who has witnessed their effects can deny their wonderful power--the purity of the water which is supplied to invalids, at a distance from the springs, becomes a matter of the utmost consequence.

"The fashionable and the rich," writes an eminent divine, "who fill these splendid saloons, are not alone the people for whom the beneficent Creator opened these health-giving fountains; but they are also those who occupy the sick chambers in all parts of the earth, who have never seen Saratoga, but who are relieved and comforted by its waters."

Personally the writer has found in several cities more or less difficulty in obtaining the genuine water. He therefore offers a few suggestions on the present mode of exportation.

For many years the sale of spring water has been chiefly conducted by druggists. In the earlier days the business was conducted with fairness and profit to all concerned, but the small cost of manufacturing an artificial water imitating the natural in taste and appearance, and made even more sparkling and pungent by a heavy charging with gas, the enormous extent of the patent medicine business which has protruded itself in all directions, and to an overwhelming extent, and the large percentage of profit which druggists now realize on their goods, all these have interfered with the sale of pure natural spring water. We assert as an indisputable fact that the sale of artificial waters has been a serious and unjust detriment to the reputation of natural mineral water.

Very little of the water sold on draught by druggists is genuine. Several instances have fallen under the immediate notice of the writer, in which druggists have obtained the photographs and trade marks of a certain spring, by the purchase of a small quantity of water, and then manufactured that which they sold on draught; and instances are numerous in which druggists have overcharged consumers for the bottled water.

We cannot too strongly urge those who wish to obtain Saratoga water pure and fresh, to send _direct to the spring_ whose waters they desire.

To the Superintendents of springs we suggest the supplying of the waters through _grocers_, who can best handle both the barreled and the bottled water, and will be most likely to sell it in its purity. It should be made a _staple article_, and its merits as a beverage and a preventive of disease brought to public notice. The use of the water increases the appetite, and grocers would find its extended sale would be an advantage to their business.

We believe our country would be better, and biliousness, dyspepsia, fevers, and a long range of diseases more rare, if the natural waters which God has provided were to become a standard article in our groceries.

Special Notice.--The subscriber is desirous of making a
special study of the mineral springs of Saratoga. He will
gladly receive any reliable information which may be
communicated to him in regard to the history, properties, etc.,
of the various springs, or their effects in particular cases.
Such information will be acknowledged in future editions of
this work.

_Invalids who have received benefit or injury_ from the use of
the waters are earnestly requested to give a statement of their
experience. Communications of this sort will be held
_confidential_.

Proprietors of springs in other places are also requested to
send circulars and other information in regard to their several
springs.

Address,
R.F. DEARBORN,
_Saratoga Springs, N.Y._