220 CHEMICAL, MEDICAL AND DIETICAL PROPERTIES. 



special study, inform us that the substance known as 

 kreatine is diminished by overwork and fatigue, and that, 

 therefore, as theine and kreatine are chemically about one 

 and the same property, the theory is accepted that the 

 theine in tea supplies best that which is lost to the 

 system by the wear and tear of life, the property termed 

 caffeine in coffee being identical with both, serving the 

 same purpose. While Liebig suggests that theine con- 

 tributes to the formation of taurine, a compound peculiar 

 to bile, and Lehman found that its administration is 

 followed by a slight augmentation of urea. It has also 

 been proven that theine and quinine are similar in 

 nature, and that on analysis these substances are shown 

 to contain the same proportions of carbon, nitrogen, 

 oxygen and hydrogen, and, as is well known, quinine is 

 about the only remedy used in intermittent and malarial 

 fevers and ague. These facts being settled beyond dis- 

 pute, it can be readily understood why it is that tea is so 

 soothing and beneficial to those who may feel feverish, 

 tired or debilitated. And while it is not claimed that tea 

 alone will cure fever and ague, it -certainly acts as a 

 preventative. 



In the early stages of fever it is found very valuable 

 when given in the form of a cold infusion, it being not 

 only considered an excellent diluent at the commence- 

 ment, but also when administered in the form of " a 

 tincture," prepared by macerating the leaves in proof 

 spirit and adding a teaspoonful of the mixture to a small 

 cup of water. This preparation is given to the patient 

 at short intervals during the night, after the acute symp- 

 toms have subsided, and is often of great benefit during 

 the latter stages. For this purpose, in hospitals and 

 other institutions, the leaves which have been used once 

 for the regular infusion, may be macerated in alcohol and 



