(.98 3 
SECTION XVI. 
I swat finifh thefe remarks with fome reflections on 
this herb, confidered in another light. 
As luxury of every kind has augmented in proportion to the 
increafe of foreign fuperfluities, it has contributed more or lefs 
its fhare towards the production of thofe low nervous difeafes, 
which are now {fo frequent. Amongft thefe caufes, excefs in 
fpirituous. liquors is one of the moft confiderable ; but the firft 
rife of this pernicious cuftom is often owing to the weaknefs 
and debility of the fyftem, brought on by the daily habit of 
| drinking Tea’; the trembling hand feeks a temporary relief ‘in 
fome cordial, in order to refrefh and excite again the enfeebled 
fyfiem ; whereby fuch almoft by neceffity fall into a habit of 
intemperance, and frequently intail upon their offspring a va- 
riety of. diftempers, which otherwife ponenpiz would not have 
occurred. 
oe Nietaet bad SERENE refulting from the atvera énflom 
of Tea-drinking, particularly affects the poor labouring people, 
| white daily earnings: are {canty enough to procure them the 
~ necefiary conveniences of life, and wholefome diet. Many 
7s See Percival’s Experimental Effays, p. 126. Duncan, in his Avis Salutaire, 
ee takes eccafion to be merry upon the ufe and influence of Tea and-hot liquors ; 
Bad. he would not deprive voluptuous perfons of their idol, he would prevent it 
= burnii ing its adorers, as-Malach did. Methufelah, he abferves, who lived near 
<< _ 1000 years, was a water-drinker ; but, fince the time of Noah, the firft wine- 
 @rnke s ue Eee of man is contracted, and difeafes augmented. 
of- 
