The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-05-15
GETTING. TIPsY ON TEA.


No longer, 1t seems, may we speak of tea
as the cup which cheers, but not incbriates,
says the New York Tribune. 1t may, in
deed, still cheer. It certainly does inebri-
ate with most disastrous effects; ranking,
as an intoxicant, a good scond to alcohol
itself. Many lay observers have long sls-
peeted that such was the case. Their sus-
pcions are now confirmed by professional
authorities in manner so startling as to
make it seem desirable that concerted ac-
ton should be taken to check the evil To
some. perhaps, the idea of temperance
crusade against the teapot will appear gro
tesQue. Yet, in all seriousness, that very
thing is urgently needed.
According to statistics recently furnished
to the Medical News by DR.. James Wood,
Of Brooklyn of all the patients applying for
treatment at the chief iispensary Of that
city. no less than ten per cent are tea
dsunkards. They are not aware Of the fact.
No one asks to be cured of what we may
call teamania. But the symptoms of their
sence in tea, and that presumption, on in
sonce n tea. and that presumption. on in
ay Is frn by her
sornnia. palpitation of the heart. mental
confusion. night mare. nausea, hallucina-
sometimes from suicidal impulses, surely
formidable list Of symptoms. These pa
tients are of both sexes and all ages, and
confess drinking, from q pint and half to
fifteen pints of tea each day. Another in
tereSting fact is that nearly one-third of
them are. of Irish birth, and it is safe to
assume that of the nearly two thirds of
American birth, large proportion are of
Irish parentage. For in ireland itself tea
poisoning has long been recognized as a
widely prevalent evil. contributing largely
to the number of inmates of insane asy-
lufns: and here. as most housekeepers
know, the most inveterate and inurdinate
to fin, rnfc IF
IRISH origin. 1t is an interesting question,
worthy of Investigation, whether this prev
is because. they use tea more freely than
o:tser PEOPLE, or because their nervous tenn
permanent is more susceptible to its effects.
The evil of tea drinking is due, however,
not only to the amount consumed but also
to the manner in which it is prepared. An
unmeasured quantity of the leaves, says
an unmeasured quantity of boiling water
added. In. any time from ten to thirty
minutes this infusion is used. Thsn new
have been left to scsik and mote water is
added, and SO on. Sometimes leaves are
thus kept soaking FOR day or more. Tie
result is that the deCOction is loaded not
only with them, but with from to II per
cent of tannin, ard with other even more
deieterious substances. This form OF prep
servants and among shop and factory girls,
who also are great tea drinkers, and IS too
small means, who do not wish to waste a
single leaf SO long as there is any strength
in it.
Against this particular phase of the evil
crusade may well be directed Teadrink-
ers should be taught how to prepare the
beverage properly, so that it will be COM
paratively innocuous and should be warned
that such decoctions as they have been
making are nothing else than rank poi
Aons. Physicians doubtless give such adj
vice to their patients whom they find suf-
ferins from tea intoxication. But the mis-
tress Of the household should give. it to her
and the city missionary and the dispenser
Of charity anoiiH the poor should make
visit This is no light matter. There il
serious reason to believe that many cases
of suicide and insanity are diTectly due to
teapoisoning, while the number OF chronic
invalids from the same cause in this city
alone is to be reckoned by thousands. 1T is
high time for the evil to be recognized and
checked f7