hot as the patient is able to beare.
The inward uſe of theſe bath-waters is by reaſon of the Nitre in them, to diſſolve groſſe humours, open obſtructions, cleanſe the kidneys and bladder, and by reaſon of the ſulphur to dry, mollifie, diſcuſſe, and glutinate, and to help all uterine eſſects proceeding from cold and windy humours.
Note that they must be drunk warme, and in a good quantity, or elſe they will do more hurt then good.
The outward uſe of this is for ſuch ill effects as are in the habit of the body, and out of the veines, as of palſies, contractions, rheumes, cold humors, affects of the skin and aches, for they reſolve, diſcuſſe, cleanſe, mollifie, &c.
Now for the manner of bathing I ſhall not preſcribe any thing, but leave this to the diſcretion of the phyſitian, who is to give order and directions for all the circumſtances about it: for indeed every one is not to bath when, and how he pleaſeth, but muſt apply himſelſe to an able phyſitian, and ſubmit himſelf to his judgement and experience, or elſe may receive either prejudice, or no benefit thereby.
It is granted by all that Tunbridge Water proceeds from an iron mine, but how it contracts that acidity and that ironiſh and vitriolated taſt and odour, ſeeing upon evaporation there of, there remains little or no vitriall or ſalt of iron at the bottome, is the great qucſtion: Now for the ſolution of this, we muſt conſider how many wayes a ſubterraneall minerall, or metall may communicate its acidity to waters, and that ſaith Henricus ab Heers, upon Spaw-waters, it doth three wayes; one, when the water paſſing through the mines, carryeth along with it ſome of the diſſoluble parts of the mine, to which is conſonant the ſaying of Ariſtotle: Such are waters, as is the nature of thoſe Mines through which they paſſe, as alſo of Galen when he ſaith, that pure water passing through Minerall Mines carry with them ſome of the ſubſtance of the Mines. The ſecond way is when the vapours ariſing from fermented Mineralls and Metalls, are mixed with waters. Now that vapours retain the odour, and taſt of thoſe
