[98] By long boiling, water is certainly freed from some of the earthy and saline substances it may contain, and thereby rendered considerably softer; but it is by no means altered in these respects by infusing with Tea. See Percival’s Experiments and Observations on Water, p. 27 et 33. [99] This is particularly remarked, as one of the good effects of Tea, by De Blegny, who wrote in 1680, which he probably copied from Alex. Rhod. Sommaire des divers Voyages, &c. printed in 1653. See also Chamberlayn on Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate, p. 40. Le Compte’s Memoirs and Observations, p. 227. Home’s Principia Medicinæ, p. 5. Cheynæi Tractatus, p. 89. Percival’s Experimental Essays, p. 130. Tissot on the Diseases of Literary and Sedentary persons, p. 145, & seq. Dr. Kirkpatrick, in his notes upon this Work, relates the case of a Lawyer, who had been troubled for some time with the gravel and stone, and taken many medicines in vain; till at length he resolved to try the effects of Tea, an account of which is given by himself in the following words. “I had never used myself to Tea, so that the drink was new to me. I took a quarter of an ounce of fine bohea Tea, and, pouring a quantity of boiling water upon it, suffered the infusion to stand till it grew cold. I then poured it off clear, and drank three cups of it in the morning, at the distance of about an hour between each, two cups fasting, one after breakfast, and a fourth two hours after dinner. The first day, the only effect produced was a more plentiful discharge of urine; but the second day I voided in the morning twelve large fragments, a nucleus of the size of a small pea, with some gravel; and what gave me more satisfaction was, that the use of the Tea kept my body open as in perfect health.” [100] See Percival’s Experimental Essays, p. 126. Duncan, in his Avis Salutaire, takes occasion to be merry upon the use and influence of Tea and hot liquors; whilst he would not deprive voluptuous persons of their idol, he would prevent it from burning its adorers, as _Moloch_ did. Methuselah, he observes, who lived near 1000 years, was a water-drinker; but, since the time of Noah, the first wine-drinker, the life of man is contracted, and diseases augmented. [101] See Dr. Walker’s excellent Remarks, in Memoirs of the Medical Society, Vol. II. p. 43. [102] Essays on Husbandry, p. 166. [103] Vol. I. p. 202, and 299. [104] If we include the quantity smuggled into this kingdom, the consumption might be calculated at half a million more. [105] Compare Sir George Staunton’s Embassy, vol. I. p. 22. * * * * * * Transcriber’s note: The change noted in the ERRATUM at the end of the book has been applied to the etext. In the original text the latin and english botanical descriptions were placed side by side in two columns. In this etext the english description has been indented and placed under the latin one. (Part I Section I and Section VIII).