2 1 8 Tea produces Scurvy , weak Nerves , a?id bad Teeth. 
are ? if we, being iilanders, are fubjecft to this diftemper, let 
us eat lefs animal food : we fhall furely find better eftecfts 
from vegetables, bread, milk, and cold water, thefe being good 
of their kind, than from tea. We often fee that acids will 
prevent the fcurvy ; and that fugar, which is the concomitant 
of tea, will produce it. This is frequently feen among west 
Indians, who are fond of fweetmeats ; boys in grocers fhops ; 
and, what is remarkable, men who break fugar for the grocers, 
are obferved to be more than commonly afflicfted with this di- 
ftemper. If sugar abounds with salts, it muft confequently 
be productive of the scurvy. It is alledged by fome ingenious 
gentlemen, that as warm liquids promote perfpiration, which 
is more particularly neceflary in bodies fubjedt to the fcurvy, 
the infufion of tea ought therefore to be recommended. This 
is as if a proper degree of perfpiration could not be excited by 
warm clothing, exercise, wholfome meats, and drinks. 
The relaxed habit which is brought on by drinking tea, ener- 
vating the powers of nature, and difabling her to throw off 
what is pernicious, does really cherish this diftemper, inftead 
of DESTROYING it. 
The being much expofed to moift air, without proper ex- 
ercife, as it obftrudts the natural fecretions, it will bring on this 
diftemper ; and in moft feafons of the year, our atmofphere is 
chiefly compofed of watery particles. But if any one fhould 
tell you 1 am going out of my depth, you muft not there- 
fore lofe fight of the argument, nor let my reputation fufter in 
your efteem for a few miftakes. You have feen how the hands 
of your women-wafhers are fhriveled by hot water 3 you feel 
how 
