IIV
posiire to so high a temperature, for so
many hours, would be injurious to the constitution,
but he had been a doucher thirty
years, and he said they were in general
very healthy. In winter they employ
themselves in weaving and other occupations.
The season for taking the douches
is from the middle of June to the latter
end of September. Before or after that
time douching is considered dangerous, the
mornings and evenings being frequently
cold. The annual number of patients
varies from 1500 to 1800. A list, with the
names and residences of all the visitors
who arrive at Aix, is published by the
government every week. It is seldom that
patients remain at Aix more than three
weeks or a month at one time, the process
being too severe to be continued for a
longer period without an intermission ; but,
in obstinate cases, the physicians generally
recommend their patients to go away to
recruit, and then to renew the douchings
before the season is over. The waters are
particularly efficacious in palsey, gout,
rheumatism, sprains, and rigidity of the
joints ; also in scrophulous complaints and
glandular swellings. There are several
physicians at Aix, but I can say nothing of
their merits, from my own experience, as
I relied on the clear and ample directions
given me by Dr. Butini, of Geneva. Persons
of delicate constitutions would do well
to consult one of the resident physicians,
who cannot fail to have much local knowledge
of the effects of these powerful waters,
and can direct their application in the safest
manner.
When the community of les soeurs de
St. Joseph was broken up, two of the sisters
retired to a small house close to the church,
where they keep a well-arranged apothecary’s
shop, and where prescriptions are
carefully made up. They also attend the
sick, and instruct the female children of the
poor gratis. They appear to be about
thirty-five years of age, are dressed like
nuns, and are genteel and pleasing in their
manners, with a slight expression of melancholy
in their countenances, which renders
them extremely interesting. It is
impossible not to feel a profound respect
for persons who thus make a sacrifice of all
selfish and personal interests to promote
the welfare of others. — Such are les deux
soeurs de St. Joseph.
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