VICHY  , a

town of central France in the department of Allier, on the right bank of the Allier, 33 M . S. by E. of Moulins by rail . Pop . (1906) 14,520 . Vichy owes its importance to its mineral waters, which were well known in the time of the Romans . They afterwards lost their celebrity and did not regain it till the 17th century, in the latter half of which they were visited and written of by Madame de Sevigne . Within the town or in its immediate vicinity there are between thirty and forty springs, twelve of which are state property, four of these having been tapped by boring . The waters of those which are outside the town are brought in by means of aqueducts . The most celebrated and frequented are the Grande Grille, L'HBpital, the Celestins, and Lardy . The most copious of all, the Puits Caere, is reserved for the baths . All these, whether cold or hot (maximum temperature, 113° F.), are largely charged with bicarbonate of soda; some also are chalybeate and tonic . The waters, which are limpid, have an alkaline taste and emit a slight odour of sulphuretted hydrogen .

They are recommended in cases of stomachic and

liver complaint, also for diabetes, gravel and gout . Large quantities are bottled and exported . A luxurious bathing establishment, the property of the state, was opened in 1903 . In addition to this, Vichy has the hydropathic establishments of Lardy, Larbaud and L'Hopital, and a large military hospital, founded in 1843 . A fine casino and two public parks add to its attraction . The promenade commands a splendid view of the mountains of Auvergne . Cusset, about r m. distant, has similar mineral waters and a bathing establishment .