Medicinal Waters.
They were found on this occasion some two and fourty years since (which falleth out to be 1618.) One Henry Wicker in a dry Summer and great want of water for Cattle, discovered in the Concave of a Horse or Neats-footing, some water standing. His su∣spicion that it was the stale of some Beast, was quickly confuted by the clearness thereof. With his Pad-staffe he did dig a square hole about it, and so departed.
Returning the next day, with some difficulty he recovered the same place, (as not sufficiently particularized to his memory in so wide a Common) and found the hole, he had made, filled and running over with most clear water. Yet Cattle (though tempted with thirst) would not drink thereof, as having a Mineral tast therein.
It is resolved that it runneth through some veins of Alume, and at first was only used outwardly for the healing of Sores. Indeed simple wounds have been soundly and sud∣denly cured therewith, which is imputed to the Abstersiveness of this Water, keeping a wound clean, till the Balsome of Nature doth recover it. Since it hath been inwardly taken, and (if the Inhabitants may be believed) diseases have here met with their Cure, though they came from contrary causes. Their convenient distance from London addeth to the Reputation of these Waters, and no wonder if Citizens comming thither, from the worst of smoakes into the best of Airs, find in th•…•…selves a perfective alteration.