Eaux thermales et thermalisme en dermatologie au xixe siècle: Thermal water and hydrotherapy in xixth century dermatology.

Jean-Louis Alibert (1768-1837), Pierre-Alphée Cazenave (1802-1877) and Ferdinand von Hebra (1846-1880) are among the most famous names of the XIXth century dermatology. All were interested in hydrotherapy and mineral waters. Alibert was especially fond of sulfurous waters from the Pyrenees, for treating almost every inflammatory disease, like psoriasis, chronic eczema and even hair diseases or cheloids. He mentioned very often the use of mineral waters in his two masterpieces, Description des Maladies de la peau (1806) and Clinique de l'Hôpital Saint-Louis (1833). In case patients were not able to travel and spend times at thermal stations, he recommended artificial waters made by pharmacists in specialized places in Paris, consisting in water plus minerals, in order to obtain a composition close to natural spring waters. Around 1850, Cazenave also used mineral waters and hydrotherapy, mainly sulfurous waters. In Vienna, von Hebra was more reluctant to the use of mineral water, as he believed that the time spent in baths was more important than the composition of the water itself. Adrien Doyon (1827-1907), who translated Hebra's book in French, strongly disagreed with him, as he had a dermatology private practice in Uriage, in the French Alps. Modern hydrotherapy in dermatology is clearly in relation with this XIXth century tradition. © 2020 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Use of mineral waters in the treatment of psoriasis: Perspectives of Persian and conventional medicine.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease, which is accompanied by social and emotional complications leading to considerable disability. There is no definitive cure and treatment options carry complications. Balneotherapy has been used for years in psoriasis. Antibiotic, keratolytic, and anti-inflammatory effects of these waters have been proved. Persian medicine (PM) is a source of natural remedies for skin disease. The aim of study is to explain scientific evidences of Persian mineral waters as a treatment option for psoriasis. This is a narrative review, which investigates medical manuscripts of medieval Persia from 10th to 19th centuries AD noted as credible textbooks about mineral waters. Furthermore, balneotherapy evidences searched in databases including Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane until December 2017 to obtain clinical evidences related to psoriasis. In PM, mineral waters have keratolytic activity and can regulate superficial skin layers hyperproliferation, which is recommended for psoriasis treatment. In various studies, antiproliferative, keratolytic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of these waters have been proved completely. There are scientific evidences, which demonstrate that mineral waters in Persia, can reduce clinical symptoms of psoriasis and improve quality of life in patients. Therefore, this method might be considered as treatment options for psoriasis.

Hydrotherapy and medical entrepreneurship: the "water spell" of Ricardo Jorge.

Between 1886 and 1893, the doctor and hygienist Ricardo Jorge was linked to a commercial and medical project on the waters of Gerês. Known for many centuries and used for therapeutic purposes, they were administered on an empirical basis. When new chemical analyses were first published, the empirical properties of these waters took on a new role in hydrotherapy based on their now proven mineral and medicinal qualities. The article discusses in detail Ricardo Jorge's business venture, framing it in the context of the economic collection and treatment potential of mineral waters and the revival of the phenomenon of hydrotherapy, legitimized by new developments in the chemical analysis of waters. The commercial failure to exploit the water resources highlights the difficulties of this project and the complexity of the professional practice of hydrological medicine, although it resulted in a strengthening of Ricardo's authority and prestige in the field of hydrotherapy.

Balneario de San Nicolás de Alhama (Almería). Historia y generalidades / The San Nicolás de Alhama's Spa (Almería). History and generalities

Se hace una reseña de la situación geográfica del Balneario de San Nicolás, de los antecedentes históricos del mismo y situación actual, así como de sus aguas minero‐medicinales, sus propietarios, el primer análisis realizado por un farmacéutico, la dirección médica y los pacientes que le han frecuentado (AU)

An a ccount of the geographical position of Alhama de Almería'Spa is given, including a brief history of it and its situation nowdays. An particularly reference it is made about the minero‐medicinal waters of this Spa, their proprietaries, the pharmacist who made the first chemical analysis, the sanitary direction and the patients frequented it (AU)

Estudio de las características físico-químicas de las aguas del Balneario de San Nicolás (Almería) / Study of the physical chemical characteristics of the waters of the Balneario San Nicolás (Almería)

Las aguas del balneario de San Nicolás, de Alhama de Almería, fueron declaradas de utilidad pública por Real Orden de 16 de mayo de 1877, bajo la denominación de aguas de Alhama la Seca; en 1928 fue confirmada la utilidad pública de las aguas mineromedicinales de Alhama de Almería. Existen diferentes estudios de las aguas de este balneario, especialmente en el siglo XIX, en los que se comenta el tipo de aguas y su clasificación, y la mayoría de autores hacen referencia a una temperatura de las mismas superior a 40ºC. Se analizaron las aguas correspondientes al origen del manantial, a una de las bañeras y a la fuente que se encuentra en uno de los patios. Las aguas surgen a una temperatura de 48ºC; su pH es cercano a 8. El residuo seco, a 180ºC, es superior a 600 mg/L. La dureza es cercana a 500 mg/L de CaCO3, y predomina el calcio, cuyo contenido es ligeramente superior a 100 mg/L. De los aniones, bicarbonatos y sulfatos son mayoritarios; el contenido de estos últimos, ligeramente superior a los 200 mg/L, permite considerar estas aguas como sulfatadas. Los fluoruros se encuentran en cantidad ligeramente superior a 1 mg/L, lo que indica que se pueden considerar fluoradas. Los análisis realizados nos indican que se trata de aguas hipertermales, de mineralización media, muy duras, sulfatadas y fluoradas (AU)

The waters of Balneario San Nicolás, in Alhama de Almería, were declared waters of public utility by Real Orden of 16th May 1877, under the name of Alhama la Seca. In 1928, the public utility of mineromedicinal waters of Alhama de Almería was confirmed. There are different studies of these waters, especially in the 19th century, in which the type of water and its classification are discussed, and most of authors refer to a water temperature higher than 40ºC. The water samples were taken in the spring, in one of the bathtubs and in a fountain. The waters emerge at 48ºC; its pH is close to 8. Dry residue, at 180ºC, is higher than 600 mg/L. Water hardness is close to 500 mg CaCO3/L, and calcium predominates, with a content slightly higher than 100 mg/L. In terms of anions content, bicarbonates and sulfates are the most abundant. The sulfates content is higher than 200 mg/L, so the waters can be considered sulfated. Fluorides are slightly higher than 1 mg/L, reason why these waters can be considered fluoridated. The analysis carried out indicate that these waters are hyperthermal, of medium mineralization, very hard, sulfated and fluoridated (AU)

Treatment of kidney diseases in the thermal springs of Pithecusa during the XVIII Century.

The island of Pithecusa (Ischia) is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea in the north end of the Gulf of Naples at about 30 kilometers from the same city. Pithecusa is very popular for its hot springs which even the ancients used. This report aims to analyze the renal therapeutic benefits of the Pithacusa thermal mineral spring through a review of two different manuscripts: i) "Di Napoli il seno cratero"(The gulf of Naples) of Domenico Antonio Parrino (1642-1708) and ii) "De' rimedi naturali che sono nell'isola di Pithecusa oggi detta Ischia"(On the natural cures of the island of Pithecusa known today as Ischia)of Giulio Iasolino (1583-1622). These two manuscripts published during the 18th century and both manuscripts highlight the thermal virtues of the thermal springs of Pithecusa. In the past natural remedies were important in the treatment of different diseases including that of thermal springs dating back to ancient Rome. Thermal springs were used to treat spasms, skin diseases, hair loss and various renal ailments. Both manuscripts describe the thermal springs in Ischia and their therapeutic benefits in medical diseases.

Between chemistry, medicine and leisure: Antonio Casares and the study of mineral waters and Spanish spas in the nineteenth century.

This article considers how chemical analyses were employed not only to study and describe mineral waters, but also to promote new spas, and to reinforce the scientific authority of experts. Scientists, jointly with bath owners, visitors and local authorities, created a significant spa market by transforming rural spaces into social and economic sites. The paper analyses the role developed by the chemist Antonio Casares in the commodification of mineral water in mid-19(th) century Spain. His scientific publications and water analyses put a new economic value on some Spanish mineral waters and rural springs. First the paper explores the relationship between geographic factors, regulation, and spa development in 19(th) century Spain, and considers how scientific work improved the economy of some rural areas. Then the transformation of numerous country springs into spas, and the commodification of baths as places between science and leisure is examined. Finally the location of spas across the borders of medicine and chemistry is shown, together with the complex field operations required to study mineral waters. This paper reveals an intense circulation of knowledge between the field, laboratories and scientific publications, as well as the essential role developed by experts like Casares, who not only contributed to the study of rural springs but also to their economic transformation.

The "Subtile Aereal Spirit of Fountains": Mineral Waters and the History of Pneumatic Chemistry.

The standard history of pneumatic chemistry is dominated by a landmark-discoverers-type narrative stretching from Robert Boyle, through Stephen Hales, Joseph Black, and Joseph Priestley, to Antoine Lavoisier. This article challenges this view by demonstrating the importance of the study of mineral waters - and their "aerial component" - to the evolution of pneumatic chemistry, from around van Helmont to the period before Black (1640s-1750s). Among key figures examined are Joan Baptista van Helmont, Johann Joachim Becher, Robert Boyle, Friedrich Hoffmann, and William Brownrigg.

El Balneario de Villavieja (Castellón). Historia y generalidades / The Villavieja’s Spa (Castellón). History and generalities

Se hace una reseña de la situación geográfica del Balneario de Villavieja, de los antecedentes históricos del mismo y situación actual. Se hace mención a sus propietarios, al primer análisis químico de las aguas mineromedicinales de este Balneario así como a los médicos directores, a los pacientes que lo han frecuentado y a las referencias a la acción terapéutica de sus aguas (AU)

An account of the geographical position of Villavieja’s Spa is given, including a brief history of it and its situation nowdays. An particularly reference it is made about their propietaries and the first chemical composition of the mineral waters of this spa, the medical direction of the spa and the patients frequented the spa and another ones in relationship the medically effects of the waters and muthbath (AU)

[Marie-Victor Ernest Baudrimont, a famous pharmacist from Compiègne, France]. / Marie-Victor Ernest Baudrimont, pharmacien compiégnois.

Ernest Baudrimont is a pharmacist born in Compiègne in 1821. He is the nephew of the pharmacist chemist Alexandre Baudrimont and is from a family of Compiègne pharmacists. First prize and gold medal in 1846 of the School of Pharmacy in Paris, he obtained in 1852 his Ph D in pharmacy for a dissertation on the formation and composition of mineral waters, and in 1864 is Ph D of physical sciences for a dissertation on the chlorides and bromides of phosphorus. Hospitals Chief Pharmacist in 1854, he had his first position at the Sainte Eugénie children's Hospital, today Trousseau hospital in Paris, position he held until 1875 prior to his appointment as Director of the Paris Civilian Hospitals central Pharmacy. Member of the french Botanical Society, the Society of Medical Hydrology, secretary of the Society of Pharmacy, he was also associate professor of Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy of Paris. His scientific publications focus on the mineral chemistry i.e he described the nature of white phosphorus; mineral waters and some plants chemistry. One of the major contributions of Ernest Baudrimont was his involvment to the successive editions of the dictionary of the alterations and falsifications of foodstuffs of A. Chevallier. Member of the french Academy of Medicine in 1881, he died in Paris in September 1885.

[Mineral springs on the north-east of Caucasus and its role in the treatment of soldiers of the Russian army in XIX--beginning XX c].

The article is concerned to the history of formation of sanitary-treatment stations on the North Caucasus, in Chechnya (Goryachevodsky and Mikhailovsky mineral springs) till 1917 year. The basis of the article are archive documents, scientific papers of contemporaries and official documents. Goryachevodsky and Mikhailovsky mineral springs were more than 70 years the one the best recreative base of the Caucasian standing army including the caucasian cossack troop. The sanitary-treatment stations were of great importance during the active military actions with Hill people within the territory of Chechnya and Dagestan, during the Crimean War (1853-1856), The Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and the First World War (1914-1918), when the amount of the wounded and ill soldiers increased.

[The clinical views of the humanist doctor F.P. Haas (the first quarter of the XIXth century). On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the publication of F.P. Haas' book "Ma visite aux Eaux d'Alexandre en 1809 et 1810" (M., 1811)].

This paper is devoted to the analysis of clinical principles of physician humanist F.P. Haas expounded in his book "Ma visite aux Eaux d'Alexandre en 1809 at 1810" by F.P. Haas (M., 1811). The translation of this book into the Russian language gave an idea of the clinical views of the medical profession in this country in the beginning of the XIXth century (before the Patriotic War of 1812) including relationship between doctors and their patients and medical ethics. Haas proposed a well-substantiated therapeutic strategy with the use of mineral waters taking into consideration residual assimilative capacity of the patient's organism.

The treatment of scrofula in Ferrara (Italy) in the 19th century.

The therapeutic approaches used against scrofula in the 19th Century in Ferrara are discussed. In the manuscripts and treatises of the time treasured in the town's libraries, hygienic and dietetic rules and treatment of this illness were described. In particular, baths and mineral water spas (sulphurous, ferruginous and other mineral waters, such as a bromo-iodine-salt water) and the sea-bathing establishment were recommended. The remedies reported in Campana's Pharmacopoeia ferrarese and the efficacious treatments employed in St Anna Hospital are discussed. The Committee and its President, Marquis Giovanni Manfredini, decided to cure the scrofulous in bathing establishments.

Locality and circulation in the Habsburg empire: disputing the Carlsbad medical salt, 1763-1784.

By looking at the fierce debates in the city of Carlsbad in Bohemia around the fabrication of medical salt by a local doctor, David Becher, from 1763 to 1784, the paper examines the interactions between different spheres or levels of circulation of knowledge in the Habsburg Empire. The dispute crystallized around the definition of the product, about its medical qualities and its relation with the water of the local mineral spring. The city's inhabitants contested the vision of the medical experts, fearing that the extraction of the medical salt from the spring water and its sale outside the town would have a negative effect on the number of visitors to the spa. Their vision implied a more or less 'popularized' form of alchemical thinking as it identified the mineral water with the extracted 'salt', conceived as the 'essence' of the water, produced by evaporation. The Carlsbad salt dispute highlights the complex interactions among the different networks in which knowledge circulated through the Habsburg Empire in the eighteenth century. The different actors relied on specific networks with different logics of discourse and different modes of circulation. In each case the relation between the local, the regional and the imperial had to be negotiated. The paper thus sketches out the different geographies of knowledge in the Habsburg Empire but also its localization in and around Carlsbad.