An Experimental and Practical Enquiry into the Opthalmic, Antiscrophulous, and Nervous Properties of the Mineral Water of Llangybi, in Carnarvonshire

Name of traveller

Diederich Wessel Linden (active 1745-1768)

Reason for travel

  • medical study

Date of travel

1766

It is to be observed, that dry or wet seasons have very little effect upon Llangybi Mineral-water Spring [sic], to lessen or increase the quantity. (Linden 18)

Content

  • agriculture: thanks to rich soil, various types of grain can be grown in abundance in the area
  • history: use of the Langybi spring for medical purposes dates back as far as St. Cybi
  • industry: mining described as in its infancy in Caernarfonshire
  • people:
    • the Revd. Mr. Williams of Ty Newydd, Llanystymdwy, and William Price of Rhiwlas are credited with the renewed use of the Llangybi springs for medical purposes
    • provides a variety of case studies and medical histories of his patients at Llangybi
  • recreation: observes a general lack of good lodging houses
  • terrain:
    • geographical description of surrounding area
    • Caernarfon described as the metropolis of the county and praised for its politeness and hospitality
    • healthy, generally mild air around Llangybi perceived as conducive to people suffering from lung diseases
    • describes mineral properties of the Llangybi spring and their medical benefits in curing a broad variety of ailments, especially eye diseases
  • transport:
    • safe roads between Caernarfon and Llangybi, but the same cannot be said for the roads further east
    • regrets that not more visitors travel to north Wales for want of good roads
  • compare with the author's descriptions of the medicinal virtues of the wells in Holywell and Llandrindod Wells
  • highly condensed Welsh translation: Hanes ferr o gynnedfau meddyginiaethawl dyfroedd Llangybi; A elwir yn gyffredin Ffynnon Gybi, yn agos i Bwllheli, yn Sir Gaernarfon; oddiwrth amryw brofiadau a wnaethpwyd o honynt yn y flwyddyn 1766. Gan Diederick Wessell Linden M.D. Ynghyd a byrr gofrestr o'r clefydau a iachawyd yno. Caerfyrddin [Carmarthen]: I. Ross, 1771. Print.

Nationality of traveller

German

Language of publication

English; translation: Welsh

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

report; medical study

Citation

Linden, Diederic[h] Wessel. An Experimental and Practical Enquiry into the Opthalmic, Antiscrophulous, and Nervous Properties of the Mineral Water of Llangybi, in Carnarvonshire. To which Is Annexed, an Essay on the Prize Question, Proposed by the Royal Academy of Bourdeaux, For the Year 1767, on the Subject of Analizing Mineral Waters. London: C. Moran, 1767. Print.

Entry created: 23 April 2015
Entry last updated: 23 September 2016