In treating of this substance, I would not be understood to be
either a partial advocate, or a passionate accuser. I have often
regretted that Tea should possess any pernicious qualities, as the
pleasure which arises from reflecting how many millions of our
fellow-creatures are enjoying at one hour the same amusing repast;
the occasions it furnishes for agreeable conversation; the innocent
parties of both sexes it daily draws together, and entertains without
the aid of spirituous liquors; would afford grateful sensations
to a social breast. But justice demands something more. It stands
charged by many able writers, by public opinion, partly derived from
experience, with being the cause of many disorders; all that train
of distempers included under the name of NERVOUS are said to be, if
not the offspring, at least highly aggravated by the use of Tea.
To enumerate all these would be to transcribe volumes. It is not
impossible but the charges may be partly true. Let us examine them
with all possible candour.
The effect of drinking large quantities of any warm aqueous liquor,
according to all the experiments we are acquainted with, would be,
to enter speedily into the course of circulation, and pass off as
speedily by urine or perspiration, or the increase of some of the
secretions. Its effects on the solid parts of the constitution
would be relaxing, and thereby enfeebling. If this warm aqueous
fluid were taken in considerable quantities, its effects would be
proportionable; and still greater, if it were substituted instead of
nutriment[89].
That all infusions of herbs may be considered in this light seems
not unreasonable. The infusion of Tea, nevertheless, has these two
particularities. It is not only possessed of a sedative quality
(SECT. II. EXP. III. IV.), but also of a considerable astringency
(SECT. II. EXP. II.); by which the relaxing power ascribed to a mere
aqueous fluid is in some measure corrected. It is, on account of the
latter, perhaps less injurious than many other infusions of herbs,
which, besides a very slight aromatic flavour, have very little if
any stypticity, to prevent their relaxing debilitating effects.
Tea, therefore, if not too fine, nor drank too hot, or in too great
quantities, is, perhaps, preferable to any other vegetable infusion
we know. And if we take into consideration likewise its known
enlivening energy, it will appear that our attachment to Tea is not
merely from its being costly or fashionable, but from its superiority
in taste and effects to most other vegetables.