native tea possessing the power of conveying nutrition
into the most minute channels of the body, the liquids must derive from
it the greatest renovation.

From this combined effect upon the solids and liquids, the strength of
the greater vessels is increased, and thus is the whole aggregate body
invigorated; for every artery derives its energy from its sides, which
are composed of the minutest vessels. To enter into a complete detail
of its medicinal principles, would require a volume itself; we must
therefore avoid any further enquiry of its effects as a physical
remedy, in order to leave a few lines for its consideration as an
aliment.

The qualities of an aliment chiefly depend on their nature affording
that nourishment which is proper to the time of taking and the state of
the body. Indeed, without their possessing these relative properties,
either meats or drinks are injurious instead of beneficial. For this
reason physical necessity, more than tyrant custom, has caused a
thinner aliment to be taken in the morning and evening than what forms
the meals of dinner and supper. This necessity arises from the state
of the body being in the morning just recovering its spirits from a
comparative state of relaxation and imbecility, and in the afternoon
from the stomach being enfeebled by recent digestion. That the body,
immediately after sleep, is in a relaxed state, may be perceived by the
perturbation the spirits experience from any surprise or violent action
instantly succeeding. Fits and faintings have frequently been the
consequence of persons of quick sensibilities being wakened. In such a
state of relative debility, gross and solid food must oppress the
spirits, and thus render the body incapable of deriving nourishment
from such an untimely aliment. But if what is taken is light, pure, and
apt for producing chyle, the stomach being capable of digesting it,
must turn it to the most wholesome nutrition. To attain this end,
foreign teas, from their lightness, have been universally adopted; but,
as we have found, from their nature, how ill adapted they are to be
given when the nerves are already too weak to bear their violent
astringency, such should be used as are possessed of the most
nutrition, without a tendency to irritate the relaxed fibrillae.

When the stomach is enfeebled by recent digestion in the afternoon, to
take then another meal of solid aliment must evidently tend to depress
the digestive powers, and