Spadacrene Anglica Or, the English spavv-fountaine. Being a briefe treatise of the acide, or tart fountaine in the forest of Knaresborow, in the west-riding of Yorkshire. As also a relation of other medicinall waters in the said forest. By Edmund Deane, Dr. in Physicke, Oxon. dwelling in the city of Yorke.

CHAP. 5.

A more particular recitall of the first foure Wells.

I Purpose to speake somewhat more in this place of the firs•• foure Springs mentioned in the former Chapter, in regard the consideration of them may perhaps giue some light to those, who shall hereafter search further into the secrets, which nature may seeme to afford in the Country hereabouts.

The first is the Dropping-well, knowne almost to all, who haue trauelled vnto this place. The water whereof distilleth and trickleth downe from the hanging Rocke ouer it, not onely dropping wise, but also falling in many pretty little streames.

This water issueth at first out of the earth, not farre from the said hanging rocke, and running a while in one entire current, continueth so, till it commeth almost to

the brim of the cragg; where being opposed by a damme (as it were artificiall) of certaine spongy stones, is after∣wards diuided into many smaller branches, and falleth from on high in manner aforesaid.

It is therefore very likely, that M^r Camden in person did not see this Fountaine, but rather that hee had it by rela∣tion from others; or at least wise (if he did see it) that hee did not marke, and duly obserue the originall springing vp of the water, when in his Britannia he saith thus: The waters thereof spring not vp out of the veines of the earth, &c.

Concerning the properties and qualities thereof, I haue nothing more to write at this time (there being formerly little tryall had of it) sauing that diuers inhabitants there∣abouts say, and affirme, that it hath beene found to bee very effectuall in staying any flux of the body: which thing I easily beleeue.

The other three are sulphureous fountaines, and cast forth a stinking smell a farre off, especially in the winter season, and when the weather is coldest. They are all noysome to smell to, and cold to touch, without any ma∣nifest, or actuall heat at all; by reason (as may most pro∣bably be thought) their mynes, and veines of brimstone, are not kindled vnder the earth; being (perhaps) hindred by the mixture of salt therewith.

Those, who drinke of their waters, relate, they verily thinke there is gunpowder in them, and that now and then they vomit after drinking thereof.

The waters, as they runne along the earth, doe leaue behind them on the grasse and leaues a gray slimy sub∣stance; which being set on fire, hath the right sauour of common brimstone. They are much haunted with Pi∣geons, an argument of much salt in them; of which in the euaporation of the water by fire, wee found a good quantity remaining in the bottome of the vessell.

One thing further was worth obseruation; that white mettall (as siluer) dipped into them, presently seemeth to

resemble copper: which we first noted by putting a siluer porrenger into one of these; vnto which Sir Francis Trapps did first bring vs. Which tincture these waters giue by reason of their sulphur.

Touching their vertues, and effects, there may in ge∣nerall the like properties be ascribed vnto them, as are at∣tributed vnto other sulphureous Bathes actually cold, participating also of salt.

The vulgar sort drinke these waters (as they say) to ex∣pell reefe, and fellon; yea, many, who are much troubled with itches, scabs, morphewes, tetters, ring-wormes, and the like, are soone holpen, and cured by washing the parts ill affected therewith. Which thing they might much more conueniently, and more commodiously doe, if at that in Bilton parke were framed 2 capacious Bathes, the one cold, the other to be made hot, or warme, by art, for certaine knowne howers a day.