CHEMICAL, MEDICAL AND DIETICAL PROPERTIES. 223 



waters. It is for the purpose of qualifying the water 

 expressly that tea is so generally used in China, as very 

 little good drinking water is to be met with in any part 

 of that country. 



With brain-workers it has always been a favorite 

 beverage, the subdued irascibility, the refreshed spirits, 

 and the renewed energies which the student so often 

 owes to it, have been the theme of many an accomplished 

 pen. Yet it is impossible to speak too strongly against 

 the not uncommon habit frequently adopted by ardent 

 students when prosecuting their studies far into the night, 

 to resist the claims of nature for repose, and keep off 

 the natural sleepiness by repeated libations of tea. That 

 it answers the purpose for the time being cannot be 

 denied, but the object is often attained at a fearful price, 

 the persistent adoption of such a practice being certain 

 to lead to the utter destruction of the health and vigor 

 of both body and mind. Less injury in such cases will 

 result from the use of coffee, there being this difference 

 between the morbid states of the nervous system pro- 

 duced by coffee and that resulting from tea. The effect 

 of the former generally subsides or disappears entirely 

 on relinquishing its use, while that caused by tea is more 

 permanent and often incapable of being ever eradicated. 



That tea does not suit all temperaments, constitutions 

 and all ages is no valid argument against its general use. 

 That it is less adapted to children than adults is admitted ; 

 indeed, for very young children it is entirely improper, 

 producing in them, like all narcotics, a morbid state of 

 the brain and nervous system in general. It is also 

 unsuited to those of an irritable temperament as well as 

 for those of a leuco-phlegmatic constitution, such persons 

 illy bearing much liquid of any kind, particularly in the 

 evening, prospering best on a dry diet at all times, and 



