URAL RESORTS

URAL RESORTS. The Ural Mountains within their geographical boundaries are very rich in natural factors for the development of resort construction—both balneological and climatic. The western slope of the Urals is particularly rich in mineral springs. Here numerous outlets of salt springs are known, which in their origin are associated with salt deposits of Permian age. These brine outlets are especially numerous on the upper Kama in the Usolye-Berezniki and Solikamsk area. The main component of these waters is sodium chloride, some of the outlets also contain hydrogen sulfide, sometimes in significant quantities (up to several tens of milligrams). South of Chusovaya, in the area of gypsum distribution (Perm, Kungur, Krasnoufimsk district), quite a few sulfur springs are known, sometimes with a significant hydrogen sulfide content (e.g. Klyuchi—about 150 mg). The area of their outlets extends southward approximately to Sterlitamak. In 1934, during drilling for oil near Krasnokamsk (Perm district), very highly concentrated salt water (about 230 g per liter) with an exceptionally high content of free hydrogen sulfide (951 mg H₂S per liter) was obtained. Of the most famous springs in this district, the following should be mentioned: Klyuchevsky (see below), Krasnoyarsky, Suksoonsky-Kishertsky district, Samarsky-Shuchyeozersky district, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Krasnousolsky, Asinsky and Romanovsky in the Bashkir ASSR. In total, about 100 mineral springs are known along the western slope of the Ural ridge, not counting the brine-raising wells of the Usolye district. On the eastern slope of the Urals, numerous outlets of mineral springs are also known, from which two groups can be distinguished. One, in the area of the Kabakovsky plant, in type approaches the springs of the upper Kama, although of much lower concentration (e.g. the most famous Yelovsky—mineralization over 4.0°, mainly sodium chloride and sodium sulfate with a noticeable hydrogen sulfide content). The second group, associated with the area of distribution of brown iron ores (Alapaevsk, Kamyshevlovo, Shadrinsk districts), consists of iron springs of low mineralization. In total, about 40 outlets of mineral springs are known on the eastern slope. Finally, in recent years, cold radioactive springs have been discovered in the area of the Ilmen Ridge (near the city of Miass). About 20 outlets of radioactive springs with radioactivity up to 220 M.E. were discovered here. However, the balneological resources of the Urals are not exhausted by the mineral spring outlets listed above. In the steppes of southern Trans-Urals (Chelyabinsk Oblast), numerous mineral lakes of various compositions are known. Over 200 mineral lakes have been surveyed, of which more than 20 have been recognized as having all the data for development for resort purposes. Most of these lakes have huge reserves of therapeutic mud. In the southern Urals in Bashkiria there is an extremely interesting balneological factor—the hot mountain 'Yangantau' with outlets of hot gases and steam used for treatment by the local population. The climate, conditions of the Urals allow for the development of steppe climate-kumis resorts here, as well as semi-mountain-forest climate stations. Southern Urals, as well as the zone of mountain lakes of the Urals (between Sverdlovsk and Miass), have suitable climatic, and completely exceptional landscape, and chorological conditions for this. However, the resort resources of the Urals described above are used quite insufficiently and are relatively little studied. At present, the following resorts operate in the Urals: N. Sergi (st. Nizhneserginskaya of the Perm Railway, line Druzhinino-Berdyaush), one of the oldest (used since 1833) and most well-equipped resorts of the Urals. The spring belongs to weak salt waters and contains free hydrogen sulfide. The formula of the spring, according to Kurlov-Karstens, H²S₁₁H₂O, M₆,₈. The resort is located on the western slope of the Urals, at an altitude of 325 m above sea level. The unfavorable aspects of the resort should include rainy summers. Indications: diseases of the stomach with low acidity and secretion, diseases of the liver and biliary tract and diseases indicated for heat treatment. Kur'ya (18 km north of st. Bogdanovich of the Perm Railway—main line) is located on the eastern slope of the Urals, on a high rocky bank of the Pygama River, at an altitude of 189 m above sea level, on the border of forest and steppe. The climate of the resort (forest climate) with wide application of hydro- and physiotherapy. For hydrotherapy, water from a 'mineral' spring, formerly considered iron-rich, is used. The formula of the spring is M₀₄7-—iron is contained in quantities that almost have no balneological significance—from 0.8 to 3.5 mg per 1 liter. Season—year-round. Indications: diseases of the cardiovascular system, functional neuroses, anemia, exhaustion—after illnesses, etc. The healing locality Klyuchi (60 km from st. Kungur of the Perm Railway) is located in the center of a large village of the same name, not well-equipped. The mineral springs are valuable for their composition—high hydrogen sulfide content (about 150 mg). There are 4 springs in total. At present, work is being carried out in Klyuchi to increase the yield and achieve a stable hydrogen sulfide content. Season from May to October. Indications: chronic diseases of bones, joints, muscles and peripheral nerves and gynecological diseases, mainly in combination with heart diseases, some forms of metabolic diseases (gout, obesity), skin diseases and poisoning with heavy metals. In addition, in Sverdlovsk Oblast, the following are used: Usolye springs in the local hospital, where both local and visiting patients are accepted. The waters of the Krasnoyarsky, Suksoonsky and Samarsky springs (Kungur, Krasnoufimsk district) are used primitively by the population. In Chelyabinsk Oblast, the following points function. Resort Lake Gor'koye (7 km from st. Alakul of the South Ural Railway, 70 km from Chelyabinsk), located on the shore of a bitter-salt mud lake; the character of the area is forest-steppe. The mud reserves are large. The mud is characterized by a very high water content (80%). The colloid complex is 4% of the weight of raw mud, iron sulfide—0.1-0.2%. The climate of the resort is continental with hot and dry summers. Indications—usual for mud resorts.—The healing locality Lake Medvezhye (18 km from st. Petukhovo of the Omsk Railway), on the shore of a very mineralized mud lake. The mud reserves are very large, humidity of mud—58%, colloid complex—8% of the weight of raw mud, iron sulfide—0.176%; the mud in quality is not inferior to the best therapeutic muds of the Union. The character of the area and climate differ little from Lake Gor'koye. The resort has recently begun to function regularly, is relatively little equipped. Indications—usual for mud resorts.—The Troitsk kumis treatment area is located in the forest-steppe area around the city of Troitsk. There are several kumis treatment institutions for adults and children here. The climate is continental with hot and dry summers and cold winters. The season in various sanatoriums varies, mainly from May 15 to October 1. Kumis is prepared in their own state farms. Indications—usual for kumis resorts (see Kumis). In addition, in the area of the mountain lakes of the Urals, there are 3 sanatoriums: Chelyabinsk—for tuberculosis patients, Kisevach (mountain-forest climate station on the shore of an exceptionally beautiful lake of the same name)—for patients of the same type as the resort Kur'ya (see above), and the Sunukul sanatorium. The sanatoriums operate year-round.—On the territory of the Bashkir ASSR is located the Shafranovsky kumis treatment area (see Shafranovo).