Note 21 — Chapter VI
Reading edition
It is perhaps worth while for the sake of a curious and important fact, to mention the extraordinary effects of the water on a gentleman who had visited this spring in the summer of 1809, and who before he left it, discharged from his bowels a living monster, described by some who saw it, as a lizard, by others a crab, with legs, claws, &c. and of considerable size.—The unhappy man had been ill for several years, without being able to get any relief by the aid of skilful physicians. Immediately after this, he began to recover, and is now in a fair way of regaining his health.
Of the four classes of mineral waters known, the water of this spring unites the qualities of at least three of them, viz. The saline, the sulphurous, and the martial—but of the second it is lightly tinctured. Its usual effects on people in health, are those of an immediate and powerful diuretick, a gentle cathartick, with a considerable increase of perspiration, and sometimes a slight emetick, this last happening but very seldom. The water may be drank in great quantities with safety, from two to thirty half pints, being the usual quantity in the course of an hour before breakfast. Some indeed drink fifty half pints, while others are considerably incommoded by drinking a gill, which was the case with Mrs. Snyder, wife of governor Snyder, whose death was lately announced. She was at the spring, August 1809, but her case, which was of the consumptive kind, was too far gone to admit of recovery. Not being able to take the water, she tarried but a few days, and returned to Lancaster with her companion, Miss ——
The following Latin poem written by James Ross, teacher of the languages in the Philadelphia academy, formerly of Chambersburgh, and author of an excellent grammar, with its translation in prose by the Rev. Mr. Willson, teacher of the languages in Bedford, descriptive of this spring, and the quality of its waters, &c. will be read with pleasure.
J. ANDERSON, M. D. Hos versiculos symbolum amicitiæ inscribit, JA. ROSS, IN PONTEM BEDFORDIÆ SALUTAREM.
Monte decurrens, velut amnis, alto, Fons, loquax nunquam, tacitus recedis, Abditus terris, catebrasque celans Fluminis unda. Non alis campos virides vel agros; Non greges pascis, vitulosque vaccas; Non tuæ ripæ generant leones Dente furentes. Sed tuas undas celebrant Puellæ, Femulæ et Matres, Puerique Sponsi, Has Senes undas adamant Anusque Ore bibentes. Hisque gaudentes Homines levabunt Pectoris morbos, capitis dolores; Aurium sensus, laterumque pœnas Sæpe lavando. Has bibant isti quibus est podagra; Has quibus tussis mala, nec fuganda Artibus, cura aut Medici periti; Namque levabunt. Quin et afflicti, ac oculisque lumbis Has bibant undas, stomacho dolentes; Pauperes, dites, recreentque corpus Sæpe bibendo. Has bibant undas vacui, salubres; Nil nocent salus Puerisve Nymphis: Pauperes multi hæc, simul atque dites, Dicere possunt. Bedfordiæ, (Pennsylvanorum) quarto } Kal. Septembres, A.D. 1809. } Bedford Gazette.
TRANSLATION
To John Anderson, M. D. the following Verses are inscribed, as a token of Friendship, by the Author James Ross
ON THE MEDICINAL SPRING OF BEDFORD
From the base of a lofty mountain issuing, O fountain, thy profusion of waters, thou sendest forth in silence, from thy fountain, deep in earth’s womb embowled, them mingling with the stream, which murmurs below, thou loosest. No verdant plains, nor verdant fields are nourished by thy stream irriguous. Nor flocks, nor younglings of the herd dost thou with food supply. To no prowling beasts of prey, do thy shady, thy romantick banks, afford shelter or refuge. Hence, blooming virgins gay, matrons old, and aged sires, and youths lately in wedlock joined: greatly delight to saunter along thy streams; and, in the cool refreshing shade, to quaff thy healing waters.
While, with heartfelt satisfaction, the valetudinarian, in the waters of this fountain, laves himself, the diseases of the breast—the pains of the head—the distresses of the side—and deafness, which prevents the ear from drinking in the rich melodies of musick, all shrink from the healing efficacy of the healthful element. Let those drink whom the gout torments, and those whom the distressing cough annoys, diseases, which yield not to the art or care of the physician, however learned. In drinking, they certain aid shall find. The humble cottager, and wealthy lord, however weakened by disease shall re-invigorate their systems, by drinking these waters. Tender eyes shall regain their strength—lost powers of digestion shall again return—and the enfeebled loins, with new strength be girded. Let the sons of leisure, and votaries of amusement, on these health preserving waters regale themselves. The vigorous young man, and the rosy cheeked, from them receives no harm. Rich and poor innumerous, can well attest the truths I sing.
Ibid.—Cramer.