The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Medicinall Waters.

There is a Spring at Pitch-ford, in this Shire, which hath an oily unctuous matter swimming upon the water thereof. Indeed it is not in such plenty as in a River neer to * 1.1 Solos in Cilicia, so full of that liquid substance, that such as wash therein, seem anoint∣ed with Oile: nor so abundant, as in the Springs neer the Cape of S. Helen, wherewith (as Josephus Acosta reports) men use to pitch their Ropes and Tackling. I know not whether the sanative virtue thereof hath been experimented, but am sure, that if it be Bitumen, it is good to comfort the Nerves, supple the Joynts, drye up Rheumes, cure Palsies and Contractions. I have nothing more to say of Bitumen, but that great the affinity thereof is with Sulphur, save that Sulphur hath ingression into Mettal, and Bitumen none at all. Here I purposely passe by * 1.2 Okenyate in this County, where are Allum springs, whereof the Dyers of Shrewsbury make use instead of Allum.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Agricola de natura, &c. lib. 1. cap. 7.
• * 1.2

  D. Jorden of mineral Bathes' pag. 26.