‘THIA CHINENSIS. 
imported 100 lbs. Since then the consumption has gone on re- 
gularly increasing. In 1734 the quantity imported was about 
632,000 lbs., in 1768 it was nearly seven million pounds. In 
1800 it was twenty millions, and during the last four years of 
the East India Company’s charter, the average quantity import- 
ed was over thirty-one millions. Since the abolition of the mo- 
nopoly, the consumption has increased more rapidly, the amount 
imported having nearly reached fifty million pounds, 
CHEMICAL AND MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND USES. 
Volumes have been written for and against this article. 
Some authors attributing to it the most pernicious qualities, 
such as inducing nervous tremors, dyspepsia, dropsy, &c., 
whilst others again have been as lavish in its praise. That the 
use of tea may be abused, there can be no doubt; but it is 
equally certain that a moderate employment of it, and especially 
of the better kinds of black tea (which, it may be noticed, is the 
only kind used by the Chinese) far from being prejudicial, has a 
positive power in calming nervous irritation, and aiding the di- 
gestive functions, and giving, after fatigue, a new life and tone 
to the system. The green tea is very apt to affect the nervous 
system of those unaccustomed tu its use, but at the same 
time it does not appear that its constant employment is attended 
with any ill effects, 
Tea is often administered warm, to aid in the production of 
diaphoresis, but does not seem to have any greater power than 
any other mild infusion. From several analysés made of it,’ it 
is shown to consist of a bitter extractive, mucilage, resin, gallic 
acid, and tannin, and a peculiar principle called Theine, on 
which its properties depend. This substance, which is also 
found in coffee and chocolate, as well as in the Mate, is a highly 
azotized principle, and has probably a much greater influence on 
the system in aiding the assimilation of food than is generally 
supposed ; and hence the great use made of the various plants 
containing it, by almost all nations, 
The properties of tea are not of so decided a character as to 
render it capable of very extensive application as a medicine, 
and its almost exclusive use is as a grateful beverage at the 
evening and morning meals, As a medicine, however, tea may 
sometimes be given advantageously in diarrhea, and a strong 
infusion will often be found to relieve nervous headache. 
