TEA. 31] 



lays down his load, refreshes himself with 



tea, and pursues his way. If it were so per- 

 nicious as some have pretended, the ill- 

 effects must have been felt by the Chinese, 

 who, on the contrary, tell us that it is from 

 their custom of drinking tea, that they are 

 exempt from the gout, the scurvy, and the 

 stone. We are told also, that no people are 

 more free from inflammatory disorders. They 

 pronounce it diuretic, and therefore good for 

 the dropsy; but they acknowledge that it 

 prevents sleep in those who are not accus- 

 tomed to it. In Japan it is considered the 

 best antidote against weakness of sight, and 

 most complaints of the eyes. Valmont Bo- 

 mare observes, " that tea taken in substance, 

 or infused in water and milk, is useful in 

 fluxes and dysenteries, and that it excites 

 perspiration ; on the other side he observes, 

 that the great drinkers of water tea, both in 

 India and in Europe, are generally thin, and 

 have sometimes convulsive movements ; but 

 that those who only take tea as a remedy are 

 very much relieved in colds. 



Those who take it regularly for breakfast, 

 should add plenty of sugar and milk : it may 

 then afford nourishment as well as refresh- 

 ment. 



