COFFEA ARABICA, ORD. X. Cymose. + yer 
therefore! may protract the time of watchfulness beyond the usual 
hour of rest. By habit, however, these and other unfavourable 
effects both of Coffee and tea, are often subdued, though certain 
constitutions may suffer much in the struggle, anda morbid irrita- 
bility of the nervous system has not unfrequently been the conse- 
quence. : 
The complaints said to have been produced by the frequent or 
excessive use of Coffee are head-achs, vertigo, tremors, imbecility, 
pimples on the face, weakened vision,* and according to professor 
Murray, apoplexy. It has been said that it produces or aggravates 
hysterical and hypochondriacal affections; and therefore Tissot" 
cautions literary and sedentary people against its use. It is also 
accused of favouring an hemorrhagic disposition, especially in 
feverish, choleric, plethoric, and emaciated constitutions. 
How far these disorders were really caused by the use of Coffee, 
appears to admit of much doubt; and therefore until its ill effects 
are experienced, this catalogue of disorders ought not to alarm those 
who perceive no ill effects from its use. As an article of diet it 
is very generally drunk, and found, with very few exceptions, not 
only to be innocent but salubrious: to a stomach oppressed with 
animal food a cup or two of strong Coffee affords considerable 
relief, consequently it promotes digestion ; this effect, and that of its 
obviating drowsiness, are better ascertained than any other ascribed 
to this article. : 
A great variety of substitutes for Coffee has been recommended, 
which it would be unnecessary here to enumerate. The fact is, that 
in most farinareous matter, on being roasted or burnt to that degree 
to which Coffee too frequently is, the peculiar sapid principle is 
totally dissipated by the heat, and nothing but the more fixed part 
common to all remains. 
& See Lin. Amoen Acad. vol. 6. p. 176. F. Hoffman. Med. Syst. T. 4. P. i. 
209. Plaz. Diss. de potus coffe abusu, &§c. Simmerman. Erfahr. P. 2. p. 347., 
Willis. Pharm, Ration. p. 203, 
h Santé des gens de lettres. p. 200. 
