CHEMICAL SCIENCE. 257 



ON THE CHEMICO-PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF COFFEE. 



[A .report of some elaborate investigations of the action of coffee upon 

 the human organism, with a statement of their results, by Julius Leh- 

 mann, lias been translated from the German, and published in the 

 Philadelphia Medical Examiner. The latter part we copy in full.] 



If we now consider the results of all the investigations and experi- 

 ments, we arrive at the conclusions : 



1st. That the use of the decoction of coffee produces two important 

 actions in the system, which are difficult to harmonize ; viz., stimulating 

 the vascular and nervous systems to greater activity, and at the same con- 

 siderably retarding the metamorphosis. 



2cl. That the stimulating effect above mentioned, so valuable to us 

 from its reviving the wearied spirit, and disposing to thought and pro- 

 moting a feeling of comfort and cheerfulness, is due to the opposing modi- 

 fications of the action of empyreumatic oil and caffein. 



3d. That the retarding of the metamorphosis is mainly due to the 

 oil the caffein showing this only when it exists in large quantities. 



4th. That increased activity of the heart, trembling, dizziness, delirium, 

 intoxication, &c., are the effects of caffein. 



oth. That the increased action of the perspiratory organs, of the kid- 

 neys, of the peristalic action, and of the brain, are the effects of the 

 empyreumatic oil. 



If the decoction be too strong, that is to say, if it is prepared in such a 

 way as to contain too great a quantity of both substances for the system, 

 then occur the effects peculiar to both, trembling, activity of the heart, 

 congestion, &c. If we consider these two chief actions of coffee, 

 which are peculiar to some other substances, such as tea, cocoa, spirituous 

 liquors, &c., though in a modified degree, we observe that they are at 

 variance with the general law, that the greater the expenditure of mental 

 and bodily, activity, the greater the waste or rather the metamorphosis 

 of the system. Whether this excitement of the vascular nervous system 

 occasions more rapidly the destruction of the processes of life, or how 

 these tv.'o opposing effects are to be explained, remains for the future to 

 discover. 



Concluding Observations. One who is familiar with the general laws 

 above mentioned will find it difficult to comprehend the strength, busy 

 life and good health of the poorer classes, when he considers these in 

 connection with the very small amount of actual nourishment that they 

 are able to obtain. And, in fact, the existence of such persons would 

 have been inconceivable, if no means of supporting their health and 

 strength had been provided, besides that small amount of actual nour- 

 ishment. Limited to that alone, there would have been a great dispro- 

 portion between the amount received and that thrown off; the tissues 

 must have suffered a continual waste, even to the dissolution of life. 



