CHAPTER II.
THE MEDICINAL WATERS AND THEIR ACTION.
Physiological Functions in Healthy 22
Individuals--Performance of the Physiological Functions in
Health and Disease--Action of Oxygen upon the Nitrogenous
and Non-nitrogenous Compounds--Origin of Calculi,
Nodosities, and Tophi--Action of the Thermal Water upon
the Great Emunctories--Chalybeate Water when Used as a
Douche, or Taken Internally--Analyses of the
Waters--Selection of Buxton by the Romans--First Treatise
upon the Buxton Spa, written by Dr. Jones in 1572--Source
and Nature of the Waters
CHAPTER III.
THE BATHS AND MODE OF APPLICATION.
Kinds of Baths--Natural and Hot--Action of Thermal Water 31
upon the Skin--Natural Baths--Swimming and Plunge for
Males and Females--Necessity of Caution in their
Use--Importance of Time and Frequency in Taking the
Baths--Directions During and After Bathing--Most
Favourable Time for Taking Warm or Hot Baths--Directions
for the Use of Half, Three-quarters, and Full
Baths--Drowsiness after Bathing--Massage, When and How
Used--When Baths Inadmissible--Hours for Drinking the
Medicinal Waters--Diseases in which the Thermal Water
should Not be Drunk
CHAPTER IV.
DISEASES IN WHICH THE WATERS ARE USEFUL.
Acute Gout and Rheumatism--Chronic Gout and 41
Rheumatism--Chorea--Many Forms of Paralysis--Muscular
Atrophy consequent upon the Gouty Diathesis--Loco Motor
Ataxia--Syphilis--Local Injuries--Neuralgia--Sciatica,
Lumbago, &c.--Number of Baths Constituting a
Course--Length of Residence Required--Action of Water upon
Acute and Chronic Diseases--Extract from Devonshire
Hospital Report--Inference

CHAPTER I.
TOPOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.

Situation--Altitude--Geology--Roman Baths--Climate and Temperature--Death
Rate--Water-Supply--Rainfall--Drainage--Railway Communication--Public
Buildings--Devonshire Hospital and Buxton Bath Charity--Visitors'
Accommodation--Antiquarian.

The ancient town of Buxton, which is situated upon the extreme western
boundary of the county of Derby, at an elevation of 1,000ft. above the
sea level, lies in a deep basin, having a subsoil of limestone and
millstone grit, and is environed on every side by some of the most
romantic and picturesque scenery in the High Peak, hill rising above hill
in wild confu