Kama Mineral Springs.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VII, 15 August 1903, Page 487

Kama Mineral Springs.

VISIT OF DR. WOHLMANN. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WIIANGAREI, August 4. Dr. Wohlmann, Government Balneologist, has just completed a rather extensive exploration of tjie mineral springs of the Whangarei district, devoting his chief attentions to the Kamo mineral springs and sanatorium. He visited the Ohae-awai Springs before coming here, and took samples of the water for analysis. He was shown the native quicksilver in the sands around the springs, but will have to analyse the water before he can say that the mercury is combined with the spring water. If it is, he says, then the springs are unique, and of very great value. His report bn the Kamo Springs will be highly favourable as to their therapeutical virtues. If these springs were in England he says they would be of immense value, and if they could remove them to Rotorua they would be just what they wanted there, namely, a first-class drinking mineral water for internal treatment. These waters, too, were invaluable for certain complaints where the Rotorua waters were not suitable. The “gas” bath was now becoming very popular on the Continent, and at Kamo there was enough gas to make hundreds of baths if required. The gas is the great therapeutic agent at Kamo, corresponding to the hot sulphur waters of Rotorua. The “champagne” bath at Kamo he considers a most valuable spring, and he has expressed the opinion that in regard to the large swimming baths the gas escaping from the springs should be eaught in gasometers and recharged into the waters so that the water, when being bathed in should be fully saturated with gas, and the bather should enjoy his “soda water” bath at full strength. By conserving the gas in suitable holders, all sorts of baths could be supplied here, from an ordinary dry gas bath to the needle bath charged with gas, which would exceed in its invigorating effects an electric brush passing over one’s body. I understand a movement is on foot to induce the Government to take over these baths, so that they could be under expert management, for it is fully realised that very few people here know anything at all about the uses of these waters, or how' they should be used for different complaints, and least of all is known about the way in which to control and use carbonic acid gas, which, while being one of the verybest of all the therapeutical agencies, is also one of the most dangerous unless controlled by experienced persons. It is quite expected that Dr. Wohlmann’s visit to the district will bear important results ultimately. He takes a very thorough interest in his work, and nothing seems to be too trivial or too laborious for him. The cheerfid manner in which he visited different persons’ properties to pass his opinion in regard to their springs quite charmed everybody who came in contact with the eminent balneologist, and it does not require any great foresight to see that the doctor will become very popular wherever he goes. He is an Englishman of the best school, though his name belies his nationality.