192 FLORA HOMCOPATHICA. 
who were desirous to keep themselves awake, but in the day, 
for the sake of its other agreeable qualities. Before this time 
Coffee was scarcely known in Persia, and very little used in 
Arabia, where the tree grew. But, according to Schehabeddin, 
it had been drunk in Ethiopia from time immemorial, and 
where tradition says its power of causing wakefulness was 
first noticed by a shepherd from the effects on his goats. It not 
long after reached Mecca, where it was introduced as at Aden 
by the dervishes, for the same purposes of religion. 
It seems, however, that after a time the people of these cities 
became so fond of this beverage, that it was drank publicly in 
houses set apart for the purpose, where there was singing, 
dancing, and music; these were called coffee-houses. The 
use of it gradually extended to all parts of Arabia, particularly 
to Medina, and then to Cairo, in Egypt. Coffee-drinking 
advanced afterwards through Syria, and was adopted at 
Damascus and Aleppo; and one hundred years after its intro- 
duction at Aden, namely, in 1554, it was first drunk at 
Constantinople, two private individuals having opened coffee- 
houses for the public sale of this beverage. At length the 
more rigid Mahometans began to disapprove of its habitual 
use, as occasioning frequent disorders, and for nearly resem- 
bling wine in its effects. The chief mufti declared that roasted 
Coffee was a kind of coal, and therefore forbidden by the 
law of Mahomet. Government found it necessary to inter- 
fere and restrict the use of it, but this prohibition was soon 
abandoned. 
“‘M. Galand says it is of greater use in uniting men in 
society in stricter ties of amity than any other liquor; and he 
observes, that such protestations of friendship as are made at 
such times are far more to be depended on than when the 
mind is intoxicated with inebriating liquors. He computes 
that as much is spent in private families, in the article of Coffee 
at Constantinople, as in wine at Paris; and relates, that it is 
customary there to ask money to drink Coffee, as in Europe 
