A Treatise on Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, and ChocolatePaulli, Simon
History
A Treatise on Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate
Paulli, Simon
Chocolate -- Early works to 1800; Coffee -- Early works to 1800; Tea -- Early works to 1800; Tobacco -- Early works to 1800
Therefore, they are all of the same Species and Kind.
But Physicians may object, that I am still bewildered, and at a Loss;
since the _Chinese Tea_, and our _Chamelæagnus_, produce different
Effects: For, as all the Effects which the _Chinese_ or _Indians_
ascribe to their _Tea_, seem to arise from the Diversity of its
Parts, some of which are moderately warm, others excessively dry,
some gross, and some subtle: Hence, both _Tea_ and the true _Myrtle_,
prevent Intoxication; nay, an Infusion of _Tea_ surprizingly keeps
those who drink it in _China_, from sleeping for some Nights. It may,
therefore, be objected to me, that the _Chamelæagnus_ is so far from
preventing or removing Drunkenness, that it forthwith intoxicates
the Person who drinks the Ale in which it has been boiled; but these
Effects are as diametrically opposite to each other, as those others
are of the _Chinese Tea_ removing an _Hemicrania_, and Head-achs,
and the _European Chamelæagnus_ exciting them: I answer, all this is
true; but, at the same time, it is to be remembered, that _Galen_
every where demonstrates, of how great Efficacy, the Diversity of
Parts, in a compound Body, is; a memorable Example of which he has
given, in _Acorns_ arrived at perfect Maturity, in _Tr. de Composit.
Medicament. Loc. 1. Lib. 6._ I shall not affirm, that this Diversity
of Parts alone, is sufficient to account for all the Effects produced
by Tea, and the _Chamelæagnus_: But I am of Opinion, that both
considered, with respect to their whole Substance, and the Mixture
of Parts peculiar to each, act not so much by their weak Heat, as by
their excellent drying Virtues; so that they produce their respective
Effects only by their primary or secondary Qualities. But I can easily
prove, whence this Disagreement of Qualities derives its Origin. We
are, therefore, to consider, that the _Chamelæagnus_ abounds with a
Salt, and a glutinous Sulphur, of which, according to _Dodonæus_, the
Seeds and Fruit cannot be destitute: But, I deny that this Sulphur
is, in the least, offensive to the Brain and Nerves; and affirm, that
like the Wreaths of _Myrtles_, wore by the _Lesbians_, it, by its
Fragrance, comforts and revives the Brain; for, if it was otherwise,
I do not see how Ministers and Ambassadors to the Courts of _China_,
should often, by the Use of _Tea_, be enabled to attend Business for
whole Nights, without sleeping: This Account, however, must either be
confirmed, or refuted, by Experience. _Diogenes Laertius_ informs us,
that _Democritus_, when nothing else could be of any Service to him,
protracted his Life three Days longer, only by the refreshing Smell of
Bread, newly taken from an Oven. Thus, also, the moderate Use of Wine
revives, corroborates, and, by its Sulphur, dries the Nerves; which
is sufficiently known by Dancers, who frequently bath their Feet in
Wine, in order to strengthen them; and by Musicians, who take the same
Measures with their Hands: And if other Persons would frequently bathe
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