Related article: for now and then the minute hai:d seems to be affected by a jirtie ^pasm and drops sad ienly, getting over its work undjiy fast. We caught it in tne act and came to the conclusion that, if that is the usual way in which time is reckoned, it is doubtful whether extreme accuracy in estimating the length of a bath is always really essential. Though to some constitutions it may not be of great importance how long the bata is occupied, there are certainly a few which are much more sensitive and on which the water has a very per- ceptible immediate effect. And it does not foi.ow that the people who most are sensible of the immediate effect, are those who will be most permanently bene- fited — but we are getting upon a hygienic subject of wnicn we are not qualined to speak. We wonder whether there is any sense in Sir Francis Head's theory that in taking one of these mineral baths, it is contrary to reason not to immerse the head from time to time ; •* even the common pressure of the water on the portion of the body which is immersed in it tends mechanically to push or force the blood towards that part (the head) enjoying a rare medium; but when it is taken into consideration that the mineral mixture of Sen wal bach acts on the body, not only me- chanically by pressure, but medi- cinally, being a very strong astringent, there needs no wizard to account for the unpleasant sensations so often complained of." Sir Francis said that he always ducked his head with benefit to himself. We always 24 336 BAILY S MAGAZINE. [May kept ours scrupulously out of the water and we never heard of any one who did not do likewise. As we never heard the question mooted, probably the faculty have settled it long ago. The time has come at last when we may get out of the muddy mixture which in truth has given us the sensation of being in a soft warm bed that we are rather loath to quit. We ring the bell. Enter the attendant, who throws over our shoulders a rough towel, that has been warming in an iron heater, and proceeds to rub us down with an almost painful vigour. Him also we have tipped, by advice, and he certainly well earns his silver mark by the muscular energy which he dis- plays. A long drawn " so " com- pletes the operation and we are left to get into our clothes again. The first baths of a cure are taken in the muddy water that we have told of, so brown and Desogen Cost thick that, as a French gentleman re- marked, oil ne pent pas s' admirer when one's limbs are covered by it, but as time goes on the patient is promoted to the embraces of a clear and sparkling fluid, charged with carbonic acid gas, which looks like the best of soda water, and by its touch, stimulates like champagne. Fresh and effervesc- ing from Nature's laboratory, it bubbles forth and, putting aside its medical value, there can be no doubt about the intense sensual pleasure that the touch of such water gives, and we have heard people say that they would come to Sprudelheim for one such bath alone. It is seldom indeed that an invalid is prescribed, as a remedy for sickness, anything half so pleasant. There is much drinking of waters besides the bathing and, in the early morning hours, every visitor to Sprudelheim marches to one or other of the springs, carrying a graduated glass drink- ing cup. Two country lasses stand at a kind of bar and fill the glasses as they are presented. The first cupful of water is slowly drunk. A short stroll must be taken and a second glass is then consumed. It is not nasty but no one can call it nice. Perhaps the best description was overheard from an English gentleman who, to say the least, fancied himself and drawled somewhat in his speech, "tastes like inferiah sea watah." We must not question its special merits, but the early walk and the systematic sluicing of the human framework must count for something. We have heard of pure springs in our own Scotland, which have very health- giving properties if a drinker visits them on foot before break- fast. May dew gathered before the sun is up had also a great hygienic reputation, according to the wisdom of our grandmothers. And the morning walk to the springs at Sprudelheim has many simple pleasures. There is a band of course ; there are flower- girls from whom it is our daily duty to buy bouquets of roses (the rose gardens of the district are celebrated); there are the various hawkers who hang about the paths and alleys showing their simple Desogen Price wares to the visitors, some selling earthenware, some country laces and embroideries, and one man in a jager costume driving a thriving trade in foxes' brushes mounted on handles for housemaids' use in clearing away cobwebs. We saw a very dis- tinguished ex-M.F.H. contem- plating this man and his stock- in-trade with a very mixed expression. He could not recon- cile himself to the idea that such trophies could have been legiti- mately come by, and seemed .to 1899-1 SPRUDELHEIM 337 think that each brush represented a peculiarly atrocious vulpecide. But there is one most important business which is performed con- scientiously by every one who goes to the trinkhalk. In a conspicuous place are hung barometers and thermometers of all kinds, Reaumur, Fahrenheit and Centigrade. Variations of temperature and indications of weather are always most care- fully studied and, in a place where interests are few and simple, form an even more important subject of conversation than they do in England. Perhaps to a lounger the most amusing part of the business is overhearing the very vague explanations of the read- ings of the different thermometers, as given by the various ladies and gentlemen who consult them. Most people seem to be still of opinion that the scientific instru- ment of each nation tells a different tale and that they are Buy Desogen patriotically bound to maintain that the one to which they are accustomed is infallible and that the others lie