[Headnote: HOTELS AND THEIR CHARGES.]
VICHY
on the Allier, pop. 7000, 8 hrs. by express from Paris. _Hotels:_ The largest and best are around the Parc. Of them the most elegantly furnished are:--The Nouvel Hotel, pension 25 frs.; the H. Parc, 12 to 20 frs.; Amba.s.sadeurs, 12 to 20 frs.; Mombrun, 12 to 20 frs.; and the Grand Hotel, 12 to 16 frs., all first-cla.s.s.
The following, also round the Parc, are equally comfortable, but the furniture is not so costly.
The H. des Thermes, 10 to 12 frs., adjoining the Villa Strauss, in which Napoleon III. resided; Cherbourg, 9 to 15 frs.; the Princes, 9 to 15 frs.; the G. H. de la Paix, 12 to 15 frs.; the G. H. Velay et des Anglais, 9 to 13 frs.; Royal Hotel, Amiraute, 7 to 10 frs.; and H. de la Restauration. Almost adjoining the Amba.s.sadeurs, the H.
Moliere, 8 to 12 frs., a smaller house. In all the above hotels, excepting in the first three, servants are taken at the rate of 6 frs.
per day. The above prices include everything except the charge of 1 fr. for candles at the end of the stay.
Adjoining the north corner of the Etabliss.e.m.e.nt, near the Grande Grille, is the G. H. des Bains, 9 to 14 frs. Opposite the Etabliss.e.m.e.nt, the H. Britannique, 7 to 10 frs.; the Richelieu, 8 to 10 frs.; and behind it the H. Grande Grille, 8 to 11 frs., a more handsome house.
In the Rue Pet.i.t, near the Chalets in the Boulevard National, *H.
d"Amerique, 9 to 10 frs., a clean quiet house, generally full.
In the Place de l"Hotel de Ville at the south end of the Parc are the H. d"Espagne, 6 to 10 frs., a small house served princ.i.p.ally by the family; and the Deux-Mondes, 8 to 10 frs., fronting likewise the Place Rosalie. The fraction in the prices is for service.
In the Place Rosalie are the +Source de l"Hopital+ and the Banque de Vichy, where circular notes are cashed and money changed.
In the Rue de Nimes, a busy street, separated from the Parc by a row of houses, is the H. de Nice, 8 to 10 frs.; one side faces the church. On the other side of the church is the *H. Notre Dame, 9 to 10 frs. Then follow the G. H. du Centre, 7 to 10 frs.; H. Fenelon; H.
du Regence, 8 to 9 frs.; Orleans and Milan same price.
In the Rue de Paris, the street between the town and the railway station, are the G. H. du Louvre et de Reims, 7 to 10 frs., open all the year; Univers, 8 to 10 frs.; *Rome, 7 to 9 frs.; the Suisse; H.
Dubessay; *Couronne, 8 to 9 frs.; Beaujolais; Brest, 7 to 8 frs.; Cote d"Or, 7 to 7 frs.; Globe, 7 frs., open all the year--all between the railway station and the Etabliss.e.m.e.nt.
At the end of the Rue de Paris, in the Rue de Ballore, the G. Hotel Maussant, 8 to 10 frs. In the Avenue Victoria, behind the military hospital, and in front of the petrifying spring, is the H. de Provence, 6 to 9 frs. In front of hospital, Hotel Lucas.
In the Rue de Nimes, between the Parc and the Parc des Celestins, are the G. H. Palais, 7 to 10 frs.; Geneve; Milan; Bordeaux. Near the entrance into the Parc des Celestins, the H. Venise, 8 to 9 frs. and the H. Palais-Royal.
There are a great many maisons meublees, in which furnished rooms are let at prices varying from 4 to 8 frs., and fr. for service. Lodgers can always have a breakfast prepared for them of coffee, bread, and eggs, without any extra charge, but the dinner is more troublesome.
Among the maisons meublees are the Villa Sevigne (in which Madame resided) in the Boulevard National, near the Source Larbaud.
Travellers wishing to inspect the hotels and maisons meublees before deciding which to take should alight at one of the hotels in the Rue de Paris, as they are nearest the station, and sufficiently comfortable without being expensive.
Close to the princ.i.p.al establishment, in the Rue Lucas, is one of the best apothecary shops, the Pharmacie Durin, where information regarding the different doctors can be had.
Vichy, during the season, from 15th May till the end of September, forms a most enjoyable residence. It is full of comfortable hotels presided over by civil landlords, charging various prices from 6 to 25 frs. per day, which includes wine, service, and everything else.
The best situations are the Parc and in the contiguous streets.
Tastefully-planned grounds, called the Neuf Parc, extend between the town and the Allier, crossed here by a handsome bridge, on the site where Caesar built his wooden bridge. On an eminence at the southern end of Vichy are the old town and the old parish church of St. Blaise, 13th and 14th cents. In works undertaken for the railway numerous coins have been dug up bearing the effigy of the Gallic chief Vercingetorix, as well as many Roman objects belonging to all the epochs of the empire. In 1402 Louis II., Duke of Bourbon, surrounded Vichy with a moat and fortified walls, within which he erected his castle; but of it all that remains is the great clock-tower or belfry.
[Headnote: MINERAL WATER ESTABLISHMENT.]
At the head of the Rue de Paris, on the north end of the Pare, is the +Mineral Water Establishment+, composed of two large buildings--1st, The "Grand Etabliss.e.m.e.nt," containing only first-cla.s.s baths; a parallelogram 167 ft. long by 250 broad, provided with 100 cabinets with baths, and traversed by a gallery from N. to S., having on the western side the gentlemen"s baths, and on the eastern side the ladies". At the extremity of this pa.s.sage is an inhaling-room. Each bath costs 2 frs., including service and linen. An hour and a quarter is allowed, including dressing. Below the baths are large reservoirs.
In front of the entrance to the central gallery, near the spring Chomel, is the _office_ for the taking down of the bathers" names and for the sale of the bath tickets.
2d, Separated by a narrow street is a similar edifice in which second and third cla.s.s baths are given, costing respectively 1 frs. and 60 c. each. The difference in the price of the baths arises from the quality of the accommodation and the amount of linen and towels supplied. The baths themselves are the same, and are filled too from the same springs. The two buildings contain together 350 baths and 150 shower-baths, and during the season as many as 4000 baths can be given in a single day. They commence at 3.30 A.M. and continue till 5 P.M., but at one part of the season till even later. But it must always be remembered that the external application of the water is not nearly so important as the internal. Patients may visit Vichy, at any time; but the season suited to follow with success the course of treatment is from the 15th May till the beginning of October. The month of May is sometimes rainy. August and September are generally the driest months, and the most equable. The Vichy treatment lasts from 3 to 4 weeks. The waters are taken in the morning and during the day, and baths daily or every second day. For elderly people with sanguine and irritable temperaments and delicate const.i.tutions the duration of the bath should not be more than 20 or even 15 minutes.
[Headnote: CASINO.]
At the south or opposite end of the Parc is the +Casino+, a handsome comfortably-furnished edifice. The ballroom is 60 ft. long by 38 wide and 45 high, and lighted by five large bay windows looking into the park. The decorations are of the period of Louis XIV., with elegantly-painted walls and ceiling. A gallery, running across the building in a lateral direction, separates the ballroom from the theatre, which occupies the centre of the Casino and contains seats for 800 persons. The remainder of the building is occupied by the reading, billiard, and gambling rooms, and a saloon for ladies. One entrance ticket, 2 frs.; a month, 25 frs. There is music every morning, a concert in the afternoon, and theatricals in the evening.
A great quant.i.ty of journals and reviews are at the disposal of members; also books, pianos, and music. A professor of billiards is attached to the Casino.
[Headnote: THE VICHY SPRINGS.]
+The Vichy Springs.+--The Vichy waters are stimulating, but not tonic.
They are gaseous and alkaline, their princ.i.p.al const.i.tuents being carbonic acid and the bicarbonate of soda. They differ materially from each other only in temperature. They are easily digested and readily eliminated into the system, where they restore the vitality of the organs below the diaphragm. None of the springs possess any special specific property, the best for the patient being that which agrees best with him. Nevertheless, experience has detected certain peculiarities which may a.s.sist him to discover the most suitable spring. The maximum quant.i.ty which can be taken daily with advantage is from 24 to 28 oz. The usual dose is four gla.s.ses of 5 or 6 oz., taken at different times throughout the day, and not necessarily from the same spring. The water may with advantage be mixed with the wine taken at dinner. Carafes are filled at the springs without any charge.
In the shops are sold graduated gla.s.ses of 150 to 180 grammes, divided into three equal parts. 30 grammes equal 1 oz.
+The Springs and their peculiarities.+--Under the vestibule of the princ.i.p.al establishment are three important springs--the Grande Grille, the Puits-Chomel, and the Mesdames (see plan).
[Headnote: GRANDE-GRILLE, CHOMEL, MESDAMES.]
+The Grande-Grille+, 110 Fahr., is slightly aperient, and is employed with success by persons suffering from indigestion, obstructions of the viscera, congestion of the liver, spleen, biliary calculi, and gravel.
The +Puits-Chomel+, 113 Fahr. The water of this spring possesses marked anodyne properties, which render it very valuable whenever the weakened state of the const.i.tution or its irritability requires to be moderately excited. Of all the Vichy waters it contains the least carbonic acid without being more difficult of digestion, and as, on the other hand, it is the most mineralised, it can in many cases profitably replace the other springs.
+Mesdames+, 61 Fahr., highly chalybeate, is beneficial in cases of chlorosis, amenorrha, and in debility following loss of blood. In cases where the const.i.tution has been weakened without any evident derangement it stimulates the energy of the digestive functions so as to enable the patient to recover his usual strength.
The only other spring in the establishment is the Puits-Carre, 113 Fahr., which rises in the centre of the building, and is used for supplying the baths.
[Headnote: PRUNELLE, PARC, HoPITAL.]
About 100 yards E. from the princ.i.p.al establishment, in a building opposite the military hospital, is the +Source Prunelle+, a cold spring, recommended for diseases of the liver, gravel, and calculi.
A little farther E. is the +Source Lucas, 84 Fahr.+, princ.i.p.ally employed in baths for diseases of the skin. As a drink it is beneficial where the organs are more disturbed than diseased. In the park, opposite the Hotel de la Paix, is the +Source du Parc, 71 Fahr.+, recommended for sluggish action of the digestive organs, atonic derangement of the intestines, and affections of the bronchial tube caused by chronic irritation or catarrh. At the N. end of the Casino, in front of the town hospital, is the +Source de l"Hopital+ or Rosalie, 89 Fahr., resembling very much the Grande Grille, but less exciting. It is recommended to those affected with diseases of the digestive organs, dyspepsia, gastritis, obstinate diarrha, and dysentery; and is particularly useful to literary men whose digestive functions are deranged from mental labour. It renders important service in ovarian tumours and other diseases of females.
[Headnote: CELESTINS.]
A short way up the river by the Boulevard des Celestins are the five important springs, the +Sources des Celestins+, 54 and 58 Fahr., of which the nearest is under a handsome artificial grotto. They are largely exported, and have the same action, the only question being their respective degree of efficacy. Those who chiefly frequent these springs are invalids suffering from gout, gravel, and affections of the urinary organs, whose stomachs are sufficiently sound to be able to digest the water easily. Otherwise it is best to commence with either the "Hopital" or the "Grande Grille" spring. In all cases the water of the Springs Celestins should be drunk moderately and with caution. Just beyond the Celestins, at the end of the Boulevard and near the Parc des Celestins, are the Lardy springs and establishment.
The water, 77 Fahr., which rises from a depth of 620 ft., has a stimulating action on the mucous membrane of the stomach, is easily eliminated, and is generally drunk after meals by the Vichy invalids.
"Stomach disorder, attended with heartburn and acidity, is in many cases capable of being cured or materially relieved by the use of one or other of the Vichy waters. When complicated with pain (gastralgia) and diminished power of the stomach, the Hopital spring in some cases, the Lardy and Mesdames in others, would be most likely to have a beneficial effect: in other cases, where a more energetic action is required, the Grande Grille would be preferable." --_Dr. E. Lee._
[Headnote: SOURCE HAUTERIVE. INFLUENCE OF VICHY WATER.]
3 m. S. from Vichy, on the W. bank of the Allier, is the +Source Hauterive+, 57 Fahr., used princ.i.p.ally for exportation. In therapeutical qualities it resembles the Celestins.
The princ.i.p.al use of the Vichy waters is in the treatment of gout, and in chronic diseases of the stomach and abdominal viscera, such as dyspepsia, chronic hepatic disease, biliary calculi, fatty degeneration or cirrhosis, and in haemorrhoidal affections, which are so often connected with congestion of the liver. They are equally serviceable in enlargements of the spleen and in many cases of hypochondriasis. Moreover, this spa is specially adapted for the cure of some of the chronic diseases of women connected with disordered menstruation, and for the anomalous "critical complaints" which often set in at the period of life when this function ceases. "The complaint for which nine-tenths of the English visitors drink these springs is gout; but it should be distinctly understood that Vichy water is not a specific for gout; it can only act on the gouty diathesis by improving the tone of the digestive organs, augmenting the secretions, and correcting the abnormally acid condition of the blood." --_Madden"s Health Resorts._ "The Vichy waters do not cure gout. They have, however, a very beneficial effect when administered with caution in cases of either hereditary or acquired gout, whether articular or internal, acute or chronic. The proper time to use the waters is in the interval of attacks, and as far as possible from the last attack.
If too near the last attack, a repet.i.tion is to be feared, and there is almost as much danger in provoking nature as in resisting its action in a crisis." --_Dr. Daumas._ "We may then sum up the effects of a Vichy course, when judiciously prescribed, as restorative to the digestive and a.s.similative functions, and invigorative to the general health. The tone of the stomach is soon improved, digestion becomes easier and more rapid, pain and weight after food disappearing. The bile flows more freely. The bowels become regular. Diarrha, if previously present, ceases. The consequence of these changes is better a.s.similation, and therefore flesh is often gained. With the improvement in nutrition the colour returns to the cheeks and energy to the mind." --_Dr. P. James._
CHEMICAL a.n.a.lYSIS OF THE PRINc.i.p.aL SPRINGS.
GG Grande Grille P Park Ch Chomel H Hopital Md Mesdammes Ce Celestins L Lucas Hr Haute-rive
+------------------+------------------------------------------------+Acids and BasesNAMES OF THE SPRINGS.contained in +-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+each litre.GGChMdLPHCeHr+------------------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+Carbonic Acid4.4184.4295.0295.3485.0714.7194.7055.640Sulphuric.164.164.141.164.177.164.164.164Phosphoric.070.038traces.038.076.025.050.625a.r.s.enic.001.001.002.001.001.001.001.001Hydrochloric Acid.332.334.222.324.344.324.234.334Silica.070.070.032.050.055.050.060.071Protoxide of Iron.002.002.012.002.002.002.002.008Lime.169.169.235.212.239.222.180.168Strontia.002.002.002.008.003.003.003.002Magnesia.097.108.134.088.068.064.105.160Potash.182.192.098.146.151.228.163.098Soda2.4882.5361.9572.5012.5002.5002.5602.368+------------------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+TOTALS7.9978.0437.8668.8778.6878.3028.3279.039Salineingredientsin each litre.+------------------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+Free Carbonic Acid.908.7681.9081.7511.5551.0671.0492.183Bicarb. of Soda4.8835.0914.0165.0044.8575.0295.1034.687Potash.352.371.185.282.292.440.315.189Magnesia.303.338.429.275.213.200.328.501Strontia.303.003.003.005.005.005.005.003Lime.434.427.604.545.614.570.462.432Protox. of Iron.004.004.026.004.004.004.004.017Sulphate of Soda.291.291.250.291.314.291.291.291Phosphate.130.070traces.070.140.046.091.046a.r.s.eniate.002.002.003.002.002.002.002.002Chloride of Sodium.534.534.355.518.550.518.534.534Silica.070.070.032.050.055.050.060.071+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+TOTALS7.9147.9597.8118.7978.6018.2228.2448.956+------------------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+-----+
The Larbaud spring, which is not given in this a.n.a.lysis, differs only slightly from the Celestins.
In a garden of a house in the Boulevard Victoria is a petrifying spring, containing a large quant.i.ty of the carbonate of lime.