The text is from Appleton's Handbook of American Travel, The Southern Tour, published in 1866, by D. Appleton & Co., New York.

THE SPRINGS:

As the springs of Virginia furnish an important characteristic feature of the State, and annually attract a large concourse of visitors, I have thought it best to devote a considerable portion of this chapter wholly to them. First, as to the beet means of reaching them. From Richmond, the Virginia Central via Staunton, Goshen to Millboro', and thence by stage and the Richmond and Danville and Southside Railways to Lynchburg, and thence via Lexington, Ky., afford the easiest routes. From Baltimore and Washington the Baltimore and Ohio Railway to Harper's Ferry and Winchester and thence by stage or the ferry to Alexandria,and thence by Orange and Alexandria and Virginia Central Railways as before. The latter is the more expeditious, though not so interesting. Approaching from the south, travellers should diverge from Richmond. From the west, passengers should leave the Ohio River route at Guyandotte, and thence by stage. For minute details, consult the recent newspaper announcements and the hotel-keepers. The best time to visit these springs and drink the waters is from 1st July to September. A few words of advice to those who visit them, as most do, for the benefit of their health, contributed by one who is qualified to give advice in such matters, are inserted here: "When the patient, under proper advice, has selected and arrived at the Spring where he expects relief, there are some observances essential to his success, that in a work professing in some degree to serve as his guide, it would be improper to omit calling attention to them. If he has directions from his family physician, the first question that suggests itself is, Is he in the precise condition in which that physician saw him? If he be not,what change has taken place, and what new symptoms have occurred? It will readily be understood, that if the journey has been tedious and laborious, as in visits from the distant states must be the case, the invalid may have suffered from a change of water, he may be in a state of over-excitement, or exhaustion, from want of sleep, fatigue, or want of accustomed comforts. He may. from exposure, have taken cold and be in the incipient stage of catarrhal fever. His liver may have been deranged by the journey. His arterial and nervous system may be abnormally excited. He may have headache, furred tongue, or he may be constipated, or in other respects "out of sorts," and so on "ad nauseam" In such cases, and they are of course numerous, the only relief to be hoped for is by sending the patient to the water adapted to his disease. "Whether he employs a physician or not, let me say to the invalid: 'Be in slow haste'. Survey the whole ground according to the suggestions I have laid before you. Do not gulp down large quantities of water to expedite a cure. It would be about as wise as the conduct of a man who eats to repletion, in order to get the worth of his money, or as that of the old negro who swallowed down all the physic left by his master, lest it should go to waste. Be moderate in all things. Take the water so as to insure its gradual diffusion through your system, that you may obtain that invisible and silent alterative action which is eventually to eradicate your disease. Go to work coolly,calmly, and systematically, and you will own the benefit of the advice." "Follow as near as circumstances will permit the following course of treatment: If the weather and other circumstances admit, rise about 6, throw your cloak on your shoulders, visit the Spring, take a small-sized tumbler of water, move about in a brisk walk; drink again at 6 1/2 continuing moderate exercise - again at 7; breakfast about 8, but let it be moderate and of suitable quality. In most cases, a nice tender mutton-chop, or a fresh soft-boiled egg, or venison, or beef-steak is admissible. Eat stale bread, or corn mush, or hominy--the latter a delightful article to be found at some of the Springs - a cup of black tea, not strong, or a glass of unskimmed milk. If you value your health less than the gratification of your palate and stomach you can indulge in buckwheat cakes, floating in butter, omelets of stale eggs, strong coffee, half-baked pastry, rich pates, hot bread, and such like, and take the consequences. After breakfast, walk, ride, or drive till near noon. Eat no luncheon at noon, but take a glass of water, and walk in the shade. Drink again at l2 1/2- again at l. Dine about 2. Eat for nourishment, and not for luxury. Avoid bad potatoes, cabbage, beets, turnips, onions, salt, meat of every description, pastry, fruits, either cooked or in their natural state. Though innocent elsewhere, they are not usually so at mineral waters. Amuse yourself in social intercourse or gentle exercise until 6, take a glass of water - walk or ride until supper--take a cup of black tea or a glass of milk and a cracker." Avoid as much as possible all excitements and late hours.

Visit the White Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, West Virginia

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Copyright Valerie F. Crook, 1998, all rights reserved.