There are hand pumps all over Red Boiling Springs where visitors can pump
samples of spring water.
There are five types of water found in Red Boiling Springs: red, black,
white, freestone, and double and twist.
The first three are named because (as legend goes) of the color they will
turn a silver coin when immersed in the water.
Double and Twist received its name from the physical effects it has on a
person's body when he/she drinks the water.
Freestone is free of all minerals, a good drinking water. As a matter
of fact, Nestlé Waters North America, Inc. will
begin bottling freestone water from Red Boiling Springs in the spring of 2004.
In folk legend, the red, white and black waters had medicinal properties*:
| Red: The
"red" water is an especially good diuretic, being used with great success
in diseases of the urinary tract such as Bright's disease, diabetes,
hemorrhages from the kidneys or bladder, stone in the kidneys or bladder,
cystitis and rheumatism. It is a sulphur of considerable strength,
and the effect on cystitis is almost immediate. Wells of the "Red"
water may be found in varying strengths at a number of different spots.
It is a splendid tonic, and is recommended as such to all guests, whether
they suffer from any particular illness or not. |
| Black: The "Black" water is
a sulphur-magnesia water of decided medicinal properties. The
combination of magnesia with the hydrogen sulphide present make it
especially good water for gastro intestinal troubles. It is highly
recommended for gall stones, catarrhal condition of the gall bladder, all
forms of stomach trouble, and chronic constipation. It is
recommended as being beneficial in cases of diabetes, but is not a cure.
This water is a positive tonic laxative, and can be used by anyone with
good results. |
|
White: The
"White" water, least known of the Red Boiling group, is used only for
cases of dyspepsia, and seldom fails no matter how severe the case.
To effect a permanent cure of the patient's condition varies by use, but
it is in average cases approximately three weeks. |
The City of Red Boiling Springs doesn't recommend anyone's actually drinking
water from one of the hand pumps around town because, 1) the water hasn't been
tested recently for purity, 2) there is a danger the person might get sick,
especially if he or she winds up drinking "double and twist" water, 3) the wells
are not marked as to what kind of water is in each.
*The uses of the mineral waters of Red Boiling Springs are folk remedies and
should be regarded as such. They describe cures and health devices of long
ago.
