An important article on the “toxic effects of tea” was contributed by Dr. Morton[17] in 1879. He said that the bad effects of tea tasting were known and recognised by the tea tasters themselves and that few could carry on the business for many years without breaking down. The immediate effects of moderate doses were increased rapidity of pulse, increased respiration, agreeable exhilaration of mind and body, a feeling of contentment and placidity, and an increase of intellectual and physical vigour with no noticeable reaction. The immediate effects of an excessive dose, were a rapid elevation of the pulse and marked increase of respiration; there was no period of exhilaration, but immediate and severe headache, dimness of vision, ringing in the ears, and dulness and confusion of ideas. Following this a severe reaction with exhaustion of mind and body, tremulousness, nervousness and dread of impending harm. The effects of continued doses were--continuance of tremulousness, extreme susceptibility to outside impressions, constipation and diminution of urine. Dr. Morton concluded that tea--like other potent drugs--had its proper and improper uses, in moderation it was a mild and pleasant stimulant followed by no harmful reaction but that continued and immoderate use led to serious symptoms including headache, giddiness, ringing in the ears, tremulousness, nervousness, exhaustion of mind and body, disinclination to mental and physical exertion, increased and irregular action of the heart and also dyspepsia. Dr. Bullard[18] of Boston made inquiry into the subject of poisoning from excessive tea drinking and found that the prominent symptoms were loss of appetite, dyspepsia, palpitation of the heart, headache, nervousness and various forms of functional nervous symptoms of an hysterical or neuralgic character; he found that usually speaking five cups of tea a day on an average were required to produce symptoms of tea poisoning. A more recent investigator Dr. Wood[19] found in his practice at the Brooklyn Central Dispensary that of 1000 consecutive cases applying for general treatment, 100 or 10 per cent. were found to be “liberal indulgers in tea,” and suffering from its deleterious effects; of those 100 patients:-- 45 complained of headache. 20 ” persistent giddiness. 20 ” despondency. 19 ” indigestion. 19 ” palpitation of the heart. 15 ” sleeplessness. Dr. Wood found that when tea had been used for a considerable period in excess, the symptoms were giddiness, mental confusion, palpitation of the heart, restlessness, sleeplessness, hallucinations, nightmare, nausea, neuralgia, with prostration and anxiety. In three of Dr. Wood’s cases there was a tendency to suicide.