Thomas Guidott

Thomas Guidott (September, 1638–1706), an English "doctor of physick" and writer, became one of the 17th century's most prolific physical scientists. He used the analytical techniques of his time to detail and document the properties of the hot mineral springs at Bath, Somerset, and touted the waters of Sadler's Wells, in A true and exact account of Sadlers Well, or, The new mineral-waters lately found out at Islington (London, 1698).

Guidott was born to Francis Guidott, in Lymington, Hampshire and attended Dorchester Free School before studying Chemistry, Physics and Medicine at Wadham College, Oxford.

In 1668 Guidott moved to Bath and set up an extensive medical practice there. In 1669 he published his first book on Bath, recording both the history of the city and some case studies of the curative properties of the hot spring mineral waters that rose in the city and which had since Roman times fed a spa complex there.

During the 1670s he deepened his interested in the waters, in 1676 writing his famous work A discourse of Bathe, and the hot waters there. Also, Some Enquiries into the Nature of the water.

This work brought the health-giving properties of Bath's waters to the attention of the aristocracy, among whom the town became a popular health resort.

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