The Argosy — page 237: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

At Gastein. 221 _ continued under the control of the bishops of Salzburg. ‘Time went on, and when there were as yet but five or six rude cottages in Gastein, the Emperor Frederic, grandfather of Maximilian the First, came here for the baths. The second period begins with the first civilization of Gastein in 1436, and extends to the first scientific examination of the hot springs in 1562, by the celebrated Theophrastus Paracelsus. The third period dates from 1562 to the first scientific analysis by the new method of chemistry, in 1780, by Barisani. “About this time many events took place. Earthquakes, inundations, and fires; which completely destroyed Hof-Gastein, then the capital, if we may so call it, of the valley. Then followed religious wars, and the expulsion of the Protestant miners—a signal for the decay of mines, and the cause of the development of the thermal station. “The fourth period extends from 1780 to 1830. The fifth from 1830 to the present time. In this last period, Gastein has made most pro- gress, especially in the few past years. We have established a hospital ; built a stone bridge over the waterfall—no slight achievement for Gas- tein ; fifteen new houses have lately been erected, together with the long glass gallery that in some places would be dignified to the rank of an établissement : we- have established a post and telegraph office: the principal spring has been discovered,- and its properties carefully analysed. | “This, my dear sir, is all I can tell you, in words, of Gastein. You will find it more elaborately narrated in my book; and in a somewhat less condensed form in the brochures. But I think the above facts contain the pith of the matter; sufficient to satisfy your curiosity or search for knowledge.” } ‘What, then,” I inquired, “are the chief maladies for which these waters are useful ?” ‘Chiefly for all complaints affecting the nervous system. I need not tell you that this is saying a great deal. One of their chief virtues is in restoring those suffering from overwork of the brain. But they are good for overwork of every kind—that of body as well as brain. In cases of weakness, also, arising from wounds or other causes. Cut your finger and plunge it into ordinary hot water: the blood flows more freely: plunge it into this mineral water, and immediately the flow ceases. This is one undoubted proof of its possessing distinctive and peculiar properties. It is excellent in cases of paralysis and gout ; often restoring the former when all other remedies and experiments have failed. I could tell you of many remarkable cases, of long standing, that have come under my immediate notice. It is excellent in cases of rheumatism. One reason to be assigned for this is the wonderful amount of electricity contained in the water; thus enabling the power to be administered to the body as in no other form: ~ But,” exclaimed the doctor, brandishing his yellow weapon, which at this...