eing contracted from the
roughness and restringency of such decoctions. The force of the heat,
or the brain's propulsion of its nervous juice, being inferior to the
resistance of the whole ramified fibres thus encreased by the sudden
contraction and unequal motion, the flow of the animal spirits must be
greatly impeded and disordered. In fact, the influx suffers a
suspension, until the fibres, by relaxing again, admit their empty
tubes to receive their appropriated liquids. Thus even green tea must,
especially if taken strong and often, stop the natural circulation of
humours, and produce the attendant defects of depression of spirits,
deficiency of secretion, loss of appetite, decrease of strength, waste
of body, and, finally, a total want of effective vigour in all the
animal functions. But, as above observed, bohea tea possessing in
greater quantity the pernicious ingredients, the vessels are thrown
into momentary spasms and convulsive vibrations, by the relaxing power
of the narcotic salts, and the contracting force of the astringent oil
and earth. And here it must be noticed, that oil mixed with salt is
rendered astringent: thus all vegetables, where a mixture of both
prevails, are reckoned stimulating. The narcotic power of the salt is
derived from its hindering the flux of the animal spirits through the
nerves.

The stomach and bowels being weakened by the above causes, windy
complaints or flatulencies are consequently produced. This caused Dr.
Whytt, in his advice to patients afflicted with such diseases, to
desire they would abstain from India tea, as one of the flatulent
aliments chiefly to be avoided.

If the slightest external motion alone produces the following changes
in the body, what effects may not be ascribed to the constant use of
teas, which we find, as before stated, operate internally? A person in
perfect health, having his nostrils only touched with a feather, cannot
avoid his body being so convulsed as to produce what is commonly called
sneezing. But if the number of muscles agitated, the force and
straining of the body by sneezing, are considered; the slightness of
the cause must excite no little astonishment; for this action is
occasioned by the muscles of the scapula, abdomen, diaphragm, thorax,
lungs, &c. and if the sneezing continues, an universal explosion of the
liquids ensues: tears, mucus, saliva, and urine, are excreted. Thus,
without any moist, cold, hot, dry, sulphur, salt, or any o