As to the pretended Obstructions which Chocolate is said to occasion from its astrictive Quality, they are so far from being afraid of it in _America_, that they have found by Experience a Vertue directly contrary to it; for several young Women, subject to the Whites, have been cured of this Distemper, by eating a Dozen _Cocao_ Kernels for Breakfast every Morning. It is well enough known that Obstructions are the Cause of this Disease, which instead of being encreas'd by Chocolate, were entirely taken away. Then as to those strange Disorders which are said to arise from its immoderate Use, we shall bring in the Sequel so many Facts directly contrary to these Chimerical Fears, that all Persons of good Sense will be disabused, and convinced of the salutary and wonderful Properties of this Fruit; which shall be the Subject of the following Chapter. FOOTNOTES: [1] _Ludov. Ramira_, Relat. ad Hurtad. ad Append. cap. [2] _Paulus Zachias_, de Malo Hypocondriaco, Lib. 2. Cap. 15. CHAP. II. Of the real Properties of Chocolate. Without talking in the Dialect of the _Peripateticks_, about the Qualities of Heat and Coldness, now-a-days so much decry'd, it will not be difficult to prove that Chocolate is a Substance, 1. Very temperate. 2. Very nourishing, and of easy Digestion. 3. Very proper to repair the exhausted Spirits and decayed Strength. 4. _Lastly_, Very suitable to preserve the Health, and prolong the Lives of old Men. These four Articles shall be sufficiently demonstrated in the four following Sections. SECT. I. Chocolate is very Temperate. Nothing is so great an Argument that _Wheat_, _Rice_, _Millet_, and _Manioc_, are salutary and temperate, as their being used by whole Nations together. If any of these Substances had any predominant evil Quality, it would soon appear to the Prejudice of the Health of Numbers; the People who subsist upon it, would soon leave it off as a very dangerous and hurtful Aliment.