Litchfield Enquirer

Tea. By some, the use of this exotic is condemned in terms the most vehement and unqualified, while others have either asserted its innocence, gone so far as to ascribe to it salubrious, and even extraordinary virtues. The truth seems to lie between these two extremes: there is, however, an essential difference in the effects of green tea and black or of bohea; the former of which is much more apt to affect the nerves of the stomach than the latter, more especially when drank without cream, and likewise without bread and butter. That taken in a large quantity, or at a later hour than usual, tea often produces watchfulness, is a point that cannot be denied; but if used in moderation, and accompanied with the addition just now mentioned, it does not sensibly discover any hurtful effects but greatly relieves an oppression of the stomach, and abates a pain of the head. It ought always to be made of a moderate degree of strength; for if too weak it certainly relaxes the stomach. As it has an astringent taste, which seems not very consistent with a relaxing power, there is ground for ascribing this effect, not so much to the herb itself, as to the hot water, which not being impregnated with a sufficient quantity of tea, to correct its own emollient tendency, produces a relaxation, unjustly imputed to some noxious quality of the plant. But tea, like every other commodity, is liable to damage, and when this happens, it may produce effects not necessarily connected with its original qualities.

Coffee. It is allowed that coffee promotes digestion, and exhilarates the animal spirits; besides which, various other qualities are ascribed to it, such as dispelling flatulency, removing dizziness of the head, attenuating viscid humours, increasing the circulation of the blood, and consequently perspiration; but if drank too strong, it affects the nerves, occasions watchfulness, and tremor of the hands; though in some phlegmatic constitutions it is apt to produce sleep. Indeed, it is to persons of that habit that coffee is well accommodated; for to people of a thin and dry habit of body it seems to be injurious. Turkey coffee is greatly preferable in flavor to that of the West Indies. Drank only in the quantity of one dish, after dinner to promote digestion, it answers best without either sugar or milk; but if taken at other times, it should have both: or in place of the latter rather cream--which not only improves the beverage, but tends to mitigate the effect of coffee upon the nerves.

"Coffee having the admirable property of promoting perspiration, it allays thirst and checks preternatural heat.

The great use of coffee in France is supposed to have abated the prevalency of the gravel. In the French colonies where coffee is more used than with the English, as well as in Turkey, where it is the principal beverage; not only the gravel, but the gout, those inveterate tormentors of the human race, are scarcely known.--It has been found useful in quieting the tickling vexatious cough, that often accompanies the small pox, and other eruptive fevers."

Now the fact is, that the great merit of coffee depends upon the nature of the stomach into which it is taken, and it will be found in all cases, excepting head ache, asthma and nervous irritability--that the good effects arise from its purgative quality. Whenever it causes a gentle laxity of the bowels, it will be found wholesome, and the reverse when it constipates. A good deal depends upon the way coffee is prepared: --the English in general only drink coffee water, and not that essential and well prepared beverage properly called coffee. One cup of the powder should be put to two of boiling water and only boiled once, then clearly strained.

Chocolate Is a nutritive and wholesome composition, if taken in small quantities, and not repeated too often; but is generally hurtful to the stomach of those with whom a vegetable diet disagrees. By the addition of vanilla and other ingredients it is made too heating, and so much affects particular constitutions as to excite nervous symptoms, especially complaints of the head. Medical Adviser.