The third Virtue it is said to be possessed of, is, that it frees the Kidneys from Stones and Gravel; for which Reason, according to _Martinius_, the _Chinese_ are Strangers to nephritic and arthritic Disorders. _Betony_ remarkably produces this Effect, and, at the same time, is a powerful Preservative against the Gout. The other Qualities of _Tea_, enumerated by other Authors: I shall not here mention, that I may, at more Length, compare it with _Betony_. The Reader may, however, consult my _Quadripartitium_, and _Antonius Musa_, who, in _Libell. de Betonica_, affirms, that _Betony_ is possessed of so excellent medicinal Virtues, that it cures no less than forty-seven Disorders; which none of the _Chinese_ have ever dared to assert, concerning their _Tea_: The _Asiatic Tea_ is, therefore, far inferior to the _European Betony_. The same Author affirms, "That _Betony_, previously taken, prevents Intoxication." By which Words, _Musa_ insinuates, that it guards against a Surfeit, and, consequently, frees us from Drowsiness; so that the whole Substance of it is equally grateful and refreshing to the Brain with _Tea_. It were to be wished, that this Physician had directed the Method of preparing _Betony_, in order to prevent Intoxication; by which Means the _Europeans_ would, in all Probability, have been encouraged to greater Care and Diligence in cultivating, drying, and separating the small from the large Leaves of our _Chamelæagnus_, a Decoction of whose Flowers would have been as grateful to them as that of the _Chinese Tea_ is to them. But if any should foolishly dread the Use of the _Chamelæagnus_, which, however, is much used, and greatly extolled in _Denmark_, and the Lower _Saxony_; such Persons may, I think, substitute _Betony_ in its Room. But, if a Physician should order an _European_ Cobler, or Day-Labourer, frequently to use a Decoction of _Betony_, they would sneeringly bid him use his insipid Water himself. But the Custom of drinking _Tea_ only prevails, because it is a new Thing, unknown to the Forefathers of the _Chinese_, and is imported from _Asia_ into _Europe_, whose Inhabitants of all Ranks are so excessively fond of it, on account of its grateful Bitter, and sub-astringent Taste: The same may be said of the _Indian Chocolate_, and the Water impregnated with the _Chavva_ of the _Persians_, since these three Liquors have generally no more grateful a Taste, than a Decoction of coarse _European_ Pears, or what the _Germans_ call a _Pear-souse_.