Taking the waters. September 1874. Marx to Engels on a daily diet of spring water, coffee & pilsner
Marx suffered ill health for much of his later life and became keen on water cures. He visited spas at Buxton and Harrogate and in September 1874 visited Karlsbad to take the waters.
MARX TO ENGELS IN LONDON
Karlsbad, Austria, 1 September 1874 Germania, am Schlossberg
Dear FRED,
By next Wednesday I shall have been here for two weeks and my powder, ALIAS MONEY, will just suffice for a third week. If you should write to me, please use the above address, but put Miss Eleanor Marx on the envelope. The cure has done wonders for Tussy; I am feeling better but my insomnia has not yet been overcome.
We are both living in strict accordance with the rules. We go to our respective springs at 6 every morning, where I have to drink seven glasses. Between each two glasses there has to be a break of 15 minutes during which one marches up and down. After the last glass, an hour’s WALK, and finally, coffee. Another cold glass in the evenings before bed. I am not allowed to drink anything but pure Pumpenheimerb; Tussy, on the other hand, DAILY receives a glass of Pilsner beer, which makes me envious.
Marx was in Karlsbad taking a health cure. The town was well known for its water springs and its Pilsner beer. Marx clearly made an impact as there is a statue of him in Karlsbad
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