If these suggestions are admitted, they will assist us in determining
when and to whom the use of Tea is salutary, and to whom it may be
deemed injurious. Those, for instance, who either from a natural
propensity to generate a rich inflammatory blood, or from exercise,
or diet, or climate, or all together, are disposed to be in this
situation: to these the use of Tea would seem rather beneficial, by
relaxing the too rigid solids, and diluting the coagulable lymph of
the blood, as a very sensible and ingenious author very justly styles
it[92].
There are idiosyncrases, certain particularities, which are
objections to general rules. There are, for instance, men of this
temperament, strong, healthy, vigorous, and with not only the
appearance, but the requisites of firm health, to whom a few dishes
of Tea would produce the agitations familiar to an hysteric woman;
but this is by no means general: in common they bear it well, it
requisites them, they endure fatigue after it, as well as after the
most substantial viands. Nothing refreshes them more than Tea, after
lasting and vehement exercise. To such it is undoubtedly wholesome,
and equal at least, if not preferable, to any other kind of regale
now in use.
But, if we consider what may reasonably be supposed to happen to
those who are in the opposite extreme of health and vigour; that
is, the tender, delicate, enfeebled, whose solids are debilitated,
their blood thin and aqueous, the appetite lost or depraved, without
exercise, or exercising improperly; in short, where the disposition
of the whole frame is altogether opposite to the inflammatory; the
free and unrestrained use of this infusion, and such accompanyments,
must unavoidably contribute to sink the remains of vital strength
still lower.
Between these two extremes there are many gradations; and, every
thing else being alike, Tea will in general be found more or less
beneficial or injurious to individuals, in proportion as their
constitutions approach nearer to these opposite extremes. To descend
into all the particulars would require experience and abilities, more
than I can boast. Suffice it to say, that, except as a medicine,
or after great fatigue, large quantities are seldom beneficial,
nor should it ever be drank very hot; and, as hath been already
mentioned, the finer Tea, the green especially, is more to be
suspected than the common or middling kinds.