Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-09-04
OLD SERIES VOL. re. NO. so
COFFEE, ITS PROPERTIES, &C.

In the two last numbers of the "New Jcr-
seq Medical Reporter" there is very inter-
esting article on Coffee, '',s medicinal, dis
injecting, and dieetic properties" BY j..
Paul, M, D., of Trenton. We will pass over
its history, as that has been presented 10 our
readers before, but there are some new points
respecting its use, which we have seen in no
other work, and since 15o, ,ooo, 900 lbs. of cof-
fee are consumed in these United States ev-
cry year, no person can be neutral in respect
10 anything which may be said abou, this
plant.
As an antifebrfuge, it has long had a high
character when drank early in the morning.
1t is used for this purpose 10 prevent feyers,
by those living in marshy situations in a
tropical climate; and in Batavia it is used for
quinine. at has been recommended 10 re-.
lieve obstinate spasmodic asthma, by taking
one ounce or a strong infusion without milk
or sugar, the same 10 be repeated, fresh made,
mended this, we must say, was not afraid 10
prescribe anything. tln headache, from
weakness Of stomach, contracted BY seden.
lary habits, close attention, or accidental
drunkenness, if coffee can be drunk within
All hour after dinner, it is said 10 be of sin
gulaI use" This may be true, but it would
not be wise 10 use too strong infusion.-
Mr.. Harmon speaks in high terms of the use
Of coffeine for those who are depressed in
spirits. In diarrhGa and infaulle cholera,
Dr.. Pckford, speaks highly of its valuable
effects. He gives one half TO two scruples
of coffee, in two ounces Of water, adding one
ounce of syrup and giving tablespoonful
every hour. In bilious diarrhpa, it should
be given in small doses, as in large doses il
has purgalve effect. For whoopingcaush
DR.. Jules Guyot recommends its use i, is
given hot, well sugared about four times every
day. He states that he has cured sixty ca.
ses with it, and the most obstinate yielded
in four days. The "Souhern Medical and
Surgical JOURNAL" for 1885, states that coffee
should not be used by nursing mothers, as il
has a tendency TO lesson milk secreions
while tea has a contrary effect. We mus
say, however, that our knowledge of coffee
as medicine, is but limited, and while i
may affect person favorably in one case, il
might affect another person unfavorably.-
| There is great tendency 10 run certain
medicines above the standard value, such as
cod.liver oil and qunine, and ii may be cof'
| fee.
AS dsinfectant, coffee has been highly
auded in the "Medical Gdeette." for 1s49, q
writer asserts it possesses property o. rem
dering animal and vegetable etfluvia not only
innoxious, but actually destroying them; i
overpowered the smell of musk and castor
also the eftiuvia of decaying meat and sui
phuretled by ydrogen. The way to use i, is tC
take hot roasted coffee irto the places where
the eflinva is given of.
DR.. Jackson, says, that coffee should no
be used for food; except in a strong extract
and the cup only half filed with this, tn,
other half being geing good milk, and th'
whole well sweetened with sugar. This h
calls "a good alimentary drink" The us
of large doses of weak tea and coffee, s.
common at every meal in our country, h
deprecates as destructive 10 the appetite b.
rendering mole nutTiicions food unpalalable
there by tending 10 impoverish the blood
"The limited and moderate use OF Coffee Ia
ked conjoinlly with more nutritious food, i
not 10 be Forbidden" says Doctor Paul, ''bu
lis immoderate use, 10 the exclusion of othe
proper nourshment, is positively injurious
He believes tha, coffee is injurious to child
rem and TO persons Of highly nervous TEN
perament. They should partake of simpl
and wholesome aliment that does not siimu
late the appetite with false satisfaction
People whose lives are devoted 10 sever
physical labor should also be careful in ih
use of coffee, they should use it but seldor
and never without plenty of milk and sugar
and when they drink ii, the evening me;
should rather be chosen, when they are f
tigued and depressed, than the breakfas
which is the one, by unaccoun,able custom
al which coffee is now generally taken,