You'll not find Chariton Mineral Water on the shelves of the Hy-Vee Pharmacy this year if you're feeling the need for a post-Thanksgiving perk-up. But back in November of 1873, bottles of this newly discovered cure-all would have been available at the new infirmary of Drs. Heed and Baird, located on the second floor of the new Mallory Opera Block on the northwest corner of the square.
These were the days of intense interest nationwide in the curative powers of spring water. Two years later, the famed Colfax Springs would bubble forth east of Des Moines and a curative resort sometimes referred to as the Saratoga of the West would be developed. A smaller-scale but similar resort was developed at Lineville. And even, for a time, campers encircled a spring near Lacona to test the powers of its water.
The spring in question near Chariton was located on Smith H. Mallory's Brook Farm, which stretched up to a mile north from city limits, but I've no idea where. Chariton Mineral Water never, for some reason, got off the ground. But here, to your left, is an advertisement published in The Chariton Patriot of Nov. 5, 1873, to show that it once existed:
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As will be seen by reference to the advertisement of the Chariton Infirmary, that institution has added a new feature to its treatment of diseases in the utilization of mineral water that is found in abundance in this vicinity. It has been known to some of our citizens for some time that a spring of this singular production of nature was to be found just north of the city, but our citizens will doubtless be surprised to learn that through the enterprise of Doctors Heed & Baird, it has been discovered that this fluid is so impregnated with valuable medical properties as to render it among the very best mineral waters in the United States.
The spring is on the farm of S.H. Mallory, about a mile from town, and having been leased by the gentlemen above named, they proceeded to procure a reliable scientific analysis of the water. They sent a quantity of it to a noted St. Louis chemist and at an expense of near $100 have procured the following statement of its medical contents.
Chloride of potassium, .85647; Chloride of sodium .05353; Chloride of magnesium 2.04993; Sulphate of lime .81958; Bicarbonate of lime 2.95055; Bicarbonate of iron 3.36095; Bicarbonate of magnesia 3.37815; Phosphate of alumina .32137; Silicic acid .25808; Total sum of solid substances 14.64862; free carbonic acid 2.97219.
The chemist says, "there is also present in traces byrita, strontia, manganese and lithia, and that "the amount of free carbonic acid is equal to 7 3-10 cubic inches to the pint."
In the analysis the solid constituents of the water were calculated for 16 fluid ounces, or one pint, which is generally better understood than percentage. The chemist says that the amount of free carbonic acid would be much greater in the water fresh from the spring as considerable was lost in analyzing by filtering and transposing.
As to the effect of these substances on the system, the doctors say that they are tonic, alterative, laxative and diuretic, acting on the liver, bowels kidneys and bladder, organs from which arise many of the most serious diseases. Doctors Heed and Baird have leased the spring and propose using the water in their practice at the Infirmary and believe, as will doubtless prove to be the case, that it is a very valuable auxiliary in the treatment of the diseases to which they pay special attention. The afflicted in this part of the country need go no further than Chariton to get the benefit of the very best mineral water, as well as skillful medical treatment, as they can be accommodated in both these respects at the Chariton Infirmary.
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