Coffee speeds up the metabolism, increases the body heat and heat elimination, and perhaps urges us on to greater activity. But, as the English pharmacologist Dixon remarks in his “Manual of Pharmacology,” “Caffeine decidedly facilitates the performance of all forms of physical work.” Yet certain athletes are reported to have had their performances injured by coffee drinking, while Osborn holds that coffee interferes with the best muscular efforts. Take Hobson’s choice here, you have an authority either way and we do love some one to give our opinions an affidavit. It may be observed that coffee also increases the rate and depth of our respiration. The following gracefully and euphoniously named aromatics have been found in roasted coffee--pyrol, quinol, methylamin, acetone, furfuryl alcohol, a derivative of saligenin, phenols, valeric acid, pyridin and trimethylamin. You are no doubt much surprised and edified to know that. Some of these compounds are toxic, but they occur in coffee in amounts far too small to be dangerous to health. Some have accused these formidably named derivatives of bad effects but the work existing shows caffeine to be the only coffee constituent of importance in its physiological effects. It is agreed that caffeine is very rapidly changed by the body into less active substances and disposed of, so there can be no cumulative effect even of that. In old age, as in youth, coffee, like other stimulants, should be used in moderation if at all. As a whole then what can we conclude about the use of coffee by adults? Science has not found it harmful when taken in non-excessive amounts. Heart patients, neurotics, the young and the aged should avoid it. It has not been proven to cause pathological changes in the heart, blood vessels or kidneys. It is a valuable cerebral stimulant and antidote for mental fatigue, lacking as it does the bad effects of most stimulants. It also stimulates respiration and speeds up the metabolism, while its effects on digestion cannot be said to be definitely deleterious. Tea, because of its tannin content, is probably worse than coffee gastrically. Finally caffeine is rapidly oxidized and has no cumulative poisonous effect. Most important of all we must remember that individuals differ. They are constructed of different proteins and have cellular and glandular processes differing from individual to individual. What one can do with impunity another will find bringing him nearer to the undertaker daily. In this as in all other matters dietetic common sense and sound judgment in appraising our own state of health and the reactions of our organism to various stimuli will always surpass slavish subservience to systems or morbid efforts to avoid all harm and achieve an impossible all good.