In various parts of Kentucky, salt springs were long since discovered, and are frequented by invalids. Several of them contain the sulphates of soda, or magnesia, and a few afford sulphurated hydrogen gas. In the Indiana and Illinois territories, and in this state, near the Auglaize and Sciota rivers, springs of a similar kind are known to exist. Chalybeate waters, consisting generally of oxide of iron, dissolved by the agency of carbonic acid, are almost as numerous. On the present occasion, we must confine ourselves to those which are situated within such a distance from Cincinnati as to be accessible to its valetudinarians.

In the bed of Licking, within a mile of its mouth, when the river is low, several copious veins of chalybeate water burst out, and have occasionally been resorted to by our citizens. In addition to the carbonate of iron, they contain the different salts common in the spring water of this region. They seem to be formed in the alluvial grounds which skirt the river, and may be mentioned as specimens of a numerous class of chalybeate springs, with which the alluvial formation abounds. The majority of them, however, are less copious than those under consideration.

About two miles above the town, on the declivity of the hill, a well has been dug in the loose clay and lime stone, which have formerly been precipitated by the undermining action of the current. The water of this well is moderately charged with sulphurated hydrogen gas, common salt, epsom or glauber salt and iron, with some useless ingredients. Its effect on the system is that of a cathartic; and from its chalybeate properties in addition, it will unquestionably be found a valuable water. The proprietor intends, by the ensuing summer, to make it a watering place; for which its topographical situation is highly agreeable. The road leading to it from Cincinnati, lies along the river bank, and its site is healthy, well ventilated, cool, and commands a view of the valleys of Licking and the Little Miami, which are seven miles asunder. In the vicinity of Northbend, marked Cleves on the map of the Miami country, there is a spring of a similar kind; but it is less highly charged with saline matter, and is without sulphur.

The most noted watering place in the Miami country, is the Yellow Spring, in Green county, 64 miles from Cincin

nati, and two from the falls of the Little Miami. It is a copious vein which bursts from a fissure in the silicious lime stone rock; and is, at the distance of a few rods, precipitated into a ravine more than a hundred feet deep. On its passage thither, it has deposited an immense bank of brownish ochre, blended with leaves, twigs and other vegetable matter. The brook which flows along this wild and narrow valley, falls over many successive ledges, which adds much to the interest of the scene. Its margin is fringed with a variety of beautiful shrubs, whose broad and heavy foliage affords an agreeable contrast with the slender leaved cedars that adorn the rocks above. A quarter of a mile below the spring, this brook is joined by another, flowing in a similar valley. Along this, a number of excavations have been unsuccessfully made, in search of ores. Among these there is one, five or six feet deep and as many in diameter, which was dug at a period altogether antecedent to the settlement of this country by the Anglo-Americans; but whether by the French or the ancient inhabitants, is quite uncertain. The valley of these united streams exhibits to the geologist the transition from the common to the silicious lime stone strata-and a visit to the falls of the Little Miami will afford several charming prospects. Upon the whole, a tour to the Yellow Spring will amply repay the traveller, if not the invalid; and amuse those who are in health, if it do not in many cases heal the infirm. As to the fountain, it is transparent, emits no air bubbles, and has the temperature of 52 degrees; which is that of the springs in its vicinity. Its taste is that of a slight chalybeate, and the examinations which have been made, indicate it to contain a portion of oxide of iron and carbonate of lime, dissolved by the agency of carbonic acid gas. In its other saline impregnations, it appears to have no excess over the springs of the Miami country generally; it is used for domestic purposes, and its sensible effects on the human system appear to be inconsiderable. In those cases of chronic disease and debility, where a chalybeate is proper, it has however been used with advantage.

An attempt has been made to prepare a paint from the deposit below the spring, which has been attended with the most flattering success.

The springs most resorted to by the people of Cincinnati,

are the salines at Big Bone, 22 miles south-west of the town, in the state of Kentucky. They are several in number, and their waters were formerly employed in the manufacture of salt; until the discovery of stronger salines on the Great Kenhawa, reduced the price of that article below what it could be afforded when manufactured at these licks. The waters at Big Bone hold in solution, besides common salt, the muriate of lime, sulphate of soda or magnesia, and a few other salts of less activity, but no iron. They afford a great quantity of sulphurated hydrogen gas, which is constantly escaping in bubbles. From their effects on the sulphates of copper and iron, they appear obviously to contain a portion of gallic acid, that is no doubt furnished by the vegetable matter through which the waters rise. The springs are situated near the termination of the back water of the Ohio, and consequently at a point where great quantities of twigs and leaves (most of which from the nature of the surrounding forest must be of oak) are brought down by the current, and deposited. The temperature of the springs is 57 degrees. Their taste and smell are sulphurous, and offensive to strangers; but the impression made by the gas is transient, and the taste of the common salt afterwards predominates. They do not increase the pulse, but their sensible effects on the alimentary system, kidneys and skin, are great. The action of the two former are very much increased; and the latter is frequently affected in a few days with a violent itching, and an eruption of pimples or pustules, which are now and then connected with large boils. These waters are, however, neither serviceable nor safe to persons whose constitutions have been long and generally debilitated; whose digestion is bad, from permanent weakness of the stomach; who are affected with head ach, and a general reduction in the energy of the nervous system; or who labour under that species of pulmonary consumption which will not bear depletion. The disorders to which they seem peculiarly adapted, are the torpor, obstruction or chronic inflammation produced by acute diseases in the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys; in short, any of the viscera; and which have not continued so long that the constitution is exhausted. In these cases, experience has shown them to possess all the efficacy which could be expected in any mineral water. From a pint to a gallon, may be taken daily, accord

ing to the strength of the patient, and its sensible effects on the system. The quantity drunk at first, should be small, especially by those of a reduced habit.

The valley in which these springs are situated, is of moderate width, and bounded by a waving and irregular rampart of elevated hills. The scenery is romantic, and not destitute of picturesque features; but the verdure in spring and summer is rather unvaried, and the enchantment of a distant perspective is wanting. These defects in the configuration of the vale are, however, amply compensated by the mighty relics which it entombs. It is now more than half a century since these first attracted the attention of European travellers; and so many have been borne off, that a few fragments only remain on the surface, to excite the associations and recollections which this consecrated spot is calculated to inspire. As no other place hitherto discovered in the Union has afforded such quantities of huge animal remains, and as the first ever transmitted to the philosophers of Europe, were collected here, the Big Bone valley deserves, among naturalists, a classical distinction. It is indeed well worthy a visit from those who can relish the sentiments and the speculations excited by contemplating the ruins of the largest animal species which have appeared on our globe. And if, according to Mr. Jefferson, the passage of the Potomac through the Blue Ridge, be a scene worth a voyage across the Atlantic-the tomb of the mammoths will certainly reward the traveller of taste and science, for a journey from Cincinnati.

An establishment for the preparation of artificial mineral waters, was made in the spring of the present year; and during the few weeks that it continued in operation, it attracted much attention. The proprietor has made arrangements for opening a greater number of fountains the ensuing summer; and will be able, hereafter, to supply the citizens of Cincinnati with as fine a variety of these salutary waters, as any of the large cities can afford.

On the Relation subsisting between the Time of the Day, and various Functions of the Human Body; and on the Manner in which the Pulsations of the Heart and Arteries are affected by Muscular exertion. By ROBERT KNOX, M. D. Edinburgh.* To the Editor of the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal.

SIR,

I HAVE ventured to submit to you for your approbation some observations and experiments on a subject, which, for some time, has occupied a considerable share of my attention. The matter itself will perhaps at first sight, appear to many rather curious, than interesting or useful. But it ought to be remembered that observations, in themselves apparently of little direct importance, have, in the progress of time, been found much to benefit science.

I may here briefly mention the circumstances which first induced me to investigate opinions, to the correctness of which so many had unlimitedly subscribed. Annoyed like others with the interminable disputes concerning the stimulant and sedative powers of foxglove, I resolved to make a few experiments on that celebrated drug. A variety of perplexing circumstances soon convinced me of the necessity there was, correctly to ascertain the various conditions of the healthy pulse, particularly as regarding muscular exertions, diet, &c. This knowledge, however, I found was not to be attained in a short time, nor without considerable labour. Contrary to my expectations, that which I deemed of minor importance, or merely preparatory to other researches, became a valuable subject of inquiry.

Whilst conducting the experiments about to be related, I have often almost despaired of reducing to general laws the endless variety which the functions of the animal economy present to every observer. But remarking, amidst this seemingly inextricable confusion, a certain degree of regularity, I was induced and encouraged to prosecute the inquiry, convinced that we ought never to disregard those signs of order which nature manifests, whether they regard animate or inanimate beings.

From the Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal, for January and April, 1815.