A Treatise of the Three Medicinal Mineral Waters at Llandrindod, in Radnorshire, South Wales, With Some Remarks on he Mineral and Fossil Mixtures in their Native Veins and Beds, At Least As Far As Respects their Influence on Water (Signed)
xliv, 336pp. Title page printed in red and black, engraved frontispiece by J S Miller and wood cut head and tail pieces in text. In a later, perhaps 19th century, binding. Bound in full calfskin leather, with gilt rules and lettering, five raised bands and red leather title label on spine. All edges coloured. Signed and inscribed by the author on the first leaf, presenting the volume to Capel Hanbury, one of the Members of Parliament for the County of Monmouth. Boards a little worn, especially around rounded corners, leather cracking along spine joints, drying on spine. Endpapers edge marks and strained, else internally remarkably clean, fresh and bright. Firmly bound and square. Llandrindod Spa, its origins in Roman times, was rediscovered in the late 17th century and popularised by a poem praising the waters which appeared in The Gentleman's Magazine in 1748. Publication of this treatise in 1756 enhanced the town's prestige immensely: the physician author claims the medicinal and restorative effects of the waters are second to none in Europe. The environment, history of the waters and social amenities are described followed by three sections on the Saline, Pump and Sulphur Waters, Cures and Remedies, and Directions for Drinking and Bathing. Plus short accounts of springs in other parts of Wales, several said to be efficacious on account of coal in the ground.