Bad Ems

Ems (Bad Ems), a balneological resort in Germany, near the city of Koblenz, in the valley of the Lahn River, which flows into the Rhine, at an altitude of 80 m above sea level. Ems is surrounded by mountains that protect it from winds. The mountains are covered with vineyards and orchards. The climate of Ems is temperate and mild. Average temperatures are: in April +9.8°, May +14.1°, June +17.4°, July +18.8°, August +17.7°, September +14.4°, and October +9.2°. The therapeutic agents of Ems are 20 weakly mineralized salt-alkaline springs, which are similar to each other in salt content but differ in temperature. Some springs are used for drinking, others for baths. The table on page 395 provides data on the chemical composition of the main springs. The indicated springs also contain traces of cesium, rubidium, aluminum, and boric acid. Ems is richly equipped with bathhouses, inhaloria, pneumatic chambers, etc. Especially well-organized in Ems is the so-called "Gurgel-cabinet", i.e., rooms for gargling the throat and nose. The following diseases are indicated for treatment in Ems: catarrhs of the nasopharynx and upper respiratory tract, consequences of pleurisy, pulmonary emphysema, asthma, catarrhs of the stomach and biliary tract, diseases of the urinary tract, gout, rheumatism, etc. The water of "Kranchen I" is exported in the amount of about 4 million bottles per year. The "Emser-Pastillen" lozenges are also well known. Ems has a large number of boarding houses, hotels, and a Kurhaus. The treatment season is from May to October.