eration that the Aliment
undergoes in the Mouth; for the _Saliva_ that mixes with it in
Mastication, and dilutes it, cannot be deny'd to be an admirable
Ferment[2]; and the Tongue which moves it, and the Teeth which grind it,
and break it, must be own'd to be the first Instruments of Trituration.

Now since Nature is commonly uniform in her Operations, and since there
is a great deal of reason to suppose that Nature compleats Digestion by
the same means that she has begun it, let us suppose it is really so for
a Moment, and apply it to the present Subject, and then we shall see by
what Evidence Chocolate ought to be of an easy Digestion.

In the first place, bitter and alkaline Substances, such as these
Kernels, are stomachick and analogous to the _Saliva_ and the Ferment
which dissolves the Aliment in the Stomach; how then can it be of hard
Digestion with these Qualities?

In the second place, if one considers attentively the Kernels as they
are roasted, broke, and ground extremely fine upon a Stone, afterwards
melted and dissolved in boiling Liquor, which serves as a Vehicle for
it; it then seems very likely that the Stomach will not have much Labour
left to do. In short, by it Digestion is more than half finished.

Experience confirms these Reasonings very much, for the Digestion of
Chocolate is soon brought about without Trouble, without Difficulty, and
without any sensible rising of the Pulse; the Stomach very far from
making use of its Strength, acquires new Force. And I can farther say,
upon my own Knowledge, that I have seen several Persons who had but weak
Digestion, if not quite spoiled, who have been entirely recovered by the
frequent Use of Chocolate.

SECT. III.

Chocolate speedily repairs the dissipated Spirits and decay'd
Strength.

If Chocolate did not produce this Effect, but only as it is very
nourishing, it would but have this Property in common with the most
juicy Aliments, and such as are most proper to furnish a good Quantity
of Blood and Plenty of Spirits: but its Effects are far more speedy; for
if a Person, for Example, fatigued with long and hard Labour, or with a
violent Agitation of Mind, takes a good Dish of Chocolate, he shall
perceive almost instantly, that his Faintness shall cease, and his
Strength shall be recovered, when Digestion is hardly begun. This Truth
is confirmed by Experience, tho' not so easily explained by Reasoning,
because Chocolate sensibly appears to be soft, h