Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 005.djvu/13

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The Ingenious Reflexions relating to Medical Springs Numb. 52,Considered. The palpable Indications of some Healing Springs remarked; With an account of some such Springs in England, which do confirm the Indications; and of others Obiter; By Dr. J. Beale to the Publisher: Which Discources were in N. 56. omitted for want of sufficient room, not without injury to the Author, who had designed these Communications for another prop, specifying by manifest observations, how Terrestrial streames may be the Generative Cause, both of Minerals and Metals, and of all the Peculiarities of Springs: And should have immediately followed p. 1134.

IN pursuance of what I offered (Numb. 56.) concerning Mineral Springs, I proceed to the Ingenious Reflexions made Numb. 52 on the Breviate of Dr. Witties Defence, which is in your Tract 51; With no Intention at all to affront the worthy Authors modest Suggestions; but to represent matter of Fact, and manifest Observations, which may chance to satisfy some of his Inquiries; And to give more Light to my forementioned Arguments.

We agree that some Medical Springs do loose part of their Vertue by the precipitation of a Mineral Sediment. But, whether these Waters do not loose some of their Vertue (and perhaps the more excellently healing property) by a reparation of finer and Invisible Spirits from the Water, either by avlation out of the sealed Vessels, or otherwise; This is now a partof my present Question. And I would here have a regard to other Healing Springs, than are apparently Mineral. And thus far I would advance my former inquiry; Whether the various Compressions, Strainings, and Collisions, together with the changes of Heat and Cold, with other unknown Steames, may not so far alter the Contexture, and the minutest Particles of some waters, as to render them effectually Sanatifve, whilst they retain the force of their effervescence; and soon after to leave them impotent.

We see, what a smoaky vapour ascends from the purest Fountaines in Winter, and in the cool Mornings of the Hot Summer: And, though we dare not call these Waters hot, or morethan

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