CHEMICAL, MEDICAL AND DIETICAL PROPERTIES. 221 



a tincture of sufficient strength obtained at a cheap and 

 economical rate. In a peculiar state of the brain, 

 termed " sthenic excitement," a condition clearly border- 

 ing on inflammation, more especially when produced by 

 alcoholic stimulants, intense study or long-continued 

 application of the mind to any particular subject or 

 literary research, an infusion made from Green tea will 

 quickly act as a salutary remedy. While, on the con- 

 trary, in periods of diminished excitement, a morbid 

 vigilance and increased nervous disturbance is certain 

 to follow its use, much better results being produced by 

 small quantities repeated than by large ones in such 

 cases. 



In cases of poisoning by arsenic and antimony, fatal 

 results have been prevented by the prompt administration 

 of a strong infusion of tea, its power as an antidote in such 

 cases depending on the tannin decomposing the poisonous 

 substances. While it is nearly as valuable an antidote to 

 poisoning by opium as coffee, it is, however, only useful 

 in combatting the secondary symptoms, and should 

 never be administered in such cases until the stomach 

 pump or other means have removed the opium from the 

 stomach. In some forms of heart disease, tea proves a 

 useful sedative, while in others it is positively injurious. 

 Many cases of severe nervous headache are instantly 

 relieved by a cup of strong Green tea taken without the 

 addition of either milk or sugar, but should be only 

 occasionally resorted to in such cases, it being much 

 better to avoid the cause. 



The almost total absence of gouty and calculous dis- 

 eases in China and Japan is claimed to be attributable to 

 the constant and inveterate use of tea by the inhabitants 

 of these countries, in confirmation of which Prout says : 

 " Persons of a gouty or rheumatic nature, and, more 



