272 DIETETICAL PROPERTIES. 



been found exceedingly irritating to the delicate mem- 

 branes of the digestive organs and nervous system. 

 Milk and coffee act similarly upon the skin and other 

 organs,, its use with coffee making it a more perfect food 

 than when milk is used with tea. But while, like tea, it 

 increases the respiration, yet again, unlike it, its effects 

 are not lasting, as by the use of coffee the rate of the 

 pulse is increased, and the action of the skin's pores 

 diminished, thereby lessening the quantity of the blood 

 circulating in the organs of the body, it distends the veins, 

 but contracts the capillaries, thus preventing a waste. , 

 According to Professor Johnstone, " Coffee arouses, ex- 

 hilarates and keeps awake, counteracts the stupor oc- 

 casioned by fatigue, disease or opium, allays hunger to a ! 

 certain extent, gives to the wearied increased strength 

 and vigor, and imparts a feeling of comfort and repose. 

 Its physiological effects upon the human system appear 

 to be, that while it makes the brain more active, it 

 soothes the body generally, retards the change and waste 

 of tissue, making the demand for food consequently less. 

 The Gallse, a wandering nation of Africa, during their 

 incursions, are obliged to travel over immense deserts, 

 and being also desirous of falling upon the towns and 

 villages of their victims without warning, carry nothing 

 to eat with them but the roasted and pulverized beans of 

 coffee, which they mix with grease to a certain consist- 

 ency, that will permit of its being rolled into masses about 

 the size of billiard-balls, which they keep in leather- 

 bags until required for use. One of these balls so pre- 

 pared supports them for an entire day when on a marauding 

 excursion or in active war better than a loaf of bread or 

 a meal of meat, claiming that they prefer it to grain or 

 meat because it cheered their spirits as well as fed them. 

 Eaten in this manner, coffee undoubtedly affords much 



