232 MINERAL WATERS AND MEDICINAL SPRINGS OF ESSEX.
have medicinal value, especially as a cure for "sore eyes," and
that it has been used for that purpose in recent years by people
in the neighbourhood. A sample obtained on the 10th September
1907 yielded, on analysis, the following results : —
This water cannot be regarded as possessing any special
medicinal value. It is an ordinary water, containing a fair
amount of calcium sulphate, which is derived, in all probability,
from selenite in the London Clay. In many places in Essex,
large crystals of this mineral are found imbedded in the
superficial layers of that clay.
Mr. Dalton regards this water as coming from the Thames
Gravel and as held up by the London Clay just below, which (he
thinks) supplies the calcium and magnesium sulphates and
possibly also the sodium chloride.
(17.)—The Stapleford Abbots Spring.—Trinder, speaking of this
as "The Forest Water," says1'23 that it
" rises on the north side of the Forest, in the parish of Stapleford Abbots, on an
ascent, and nearly full south to a good house of grey brick on the neighbouring
hill, which is about five miles from Romford."
Of the water itself, he says that "It has an earthy and also
a brackish taste. It has an earthy smell and its colour is
whitish." After giving in detail the results of fourteen experi-
ments upon it, he says124 :—
" From these experiments, it appears that this water, besides its bitter-
purging salt, is impregnated with iron and sea salt.
" In colics (whether bilious, flatulent, or nephitic), it has been used with
good effect, but especially if drunk warm or used as a clyster.
" The rustics in the neighbourhood usually apply to it twice in the year, as to
a thorough cleanser of the system ; and they say that three or four pints
commonly produces six or eight stools ; but they complain of a soreness in ano
during its operation and, therefore, I would advise those persons who are subject
to irritation to be cautious in the use of it.
123 Medicinal Waters in Essex, p. 24 (1783).
124 Op., cit., pp. 26-28.