Page:Essay on the mineral waters of Carlsbad (1835).pdf/38

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lateral pipes to the Sprudel-baths, to the evaporating salt-apparatus, and to the river flowing near it. The height of the springs can be more or less increased, according to the breadth and length of the square wooden pipe, through which the water ascends; but it remains nevertheless a springing fountain, even when left in a state of nature, deprived of its outward constructions. A peristyle, a long colonade, the elegant hall of the bath-house, a flower-garden, with a good band of music, offer to innumerable drinkers an agreable walk, during the whole season, whatever may be the weather.

The Mühlbrunn (45°R. or 135 F.), the Neubrunn (50° R. or 147 F.) and the Theresienbrunn (43° R. or 132 F.) on the left side of the Teple, communicate together, and are decorated with elegant buildings, colonades and gardens. The Schlossbrunn (40° R. or 122 F.) is much less frequented, on account of its high situation. The cavernous Bernardsbrunn is scarcely accessible to drinkers, but its abundant water, nearly as hot as the Sprudel, is led into a reservoir, necessary for cooling the Mühlbrunn-baths. Some ophthalmic patients use its vapour at random without medical advice. Aware of the dangerous consequences of such an empirical application, I suggested to an eminent oculist, Dr. Ryba, of Prague, the necessity of reducing to rational principles the indications and counter-indications, according to which that vapour may be beneficial or hurtful (Almanach de Carlsbad, 1834, ch. VIII).