Foods and Cooking. 151 



but in man intermediate. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly 

 true that many persons eat too much meat. 



Tea. Tea owes its stimulating effects to a substance 

 called thein. This is a stimulant to the nervous system. 

 Strong tea is likely to produce nervousness and dyspepsia. 

 Boiling the tea leaves also brings out the tannic acid that 

 they contain, and produces bad effects. 



Coffee. Coffee owes its stimulating effect to a sub- 

 stance called caffein, which is considered the same as thein. 

 Coffee is used in the army and in penitentiaries, not as a 

 luxury, but as a matter of economy in food supply. Coffee 

 used to excess, frequently causes palpitation of the heart. 

 Its stimulating action makes it unsuitable for the young 

 and growing, and exact observations of its effects would 

 probably show that every one would be in better health 

 without it. 



Cocoa and Chocolate. Cocoa contains a stimulant called 

 theobromin. But unlike tea and coffee, cocoa and the prep- 

 aration from cocoa known as chocolate are true foods by 

 virtue of the fat and proteid contained. With some people, 

 however, they cause digestive disturbances. 



Beef Tea. Beef tea and various beef extracts are very 

 helpful. There is not enough nourishment in them to 

 maintain strength without other food. But many of the 

 soups and drinks made from these preparations are bene- 

 ficial. They refresh the tired system wonderfully. If 

 the man who feels "fagged out" and takes a drink of 

 liquor to "brace him up," as he says, were to take a cup of 

 hot bouillon, he would find himself braced up for the time, 

 without any bad reaction, or permanent injury to the sys- 

 tem, such as follows the use of alcohol. 



