Year: 1863

Physiology of Tea Drinking.


That tea has an influence over the tis.
sues of the body is now among the thing6
admitted in physiology. This influence
| is of 3 conservative nature, and its value
to the poor can scarcely be overrated.-
To them tea is virtually tissue, and makes
supply of food, that would otherwise
be inadequate to maintain the weight Of
the body, sufficient for that purpose.
Doubtless an unlimited supply Of food
capable ofreplacing any effete tissue would
be preferable to a substance which simply
goes to prevent tissues from becoming
efete; but this is impracticable-the nm
limited supply of nitrogenous food being
thing that as yet neither Providence
nor politicians have given to u.s. Doubt
less, too, alcohol has, in common with tea
aud other substances, this power of re-
tarding the waste Of the tissues Of thg
body; probably it acts differently. Ger.
tainy it is open to strong objections which
cannot be made against tea. This pre-.
servatiye power of tea over the tissues
has not hitherto been explained. Per-
haps it may not be altogether unconnect-
ed with another influence Of tea, which
we propose to notice-namely, an inau-
ence over temper, or rather the mood, or
speaking physically, after our fashion.
over the nerves.


Nothing affects the wear of tissue more
than mood, and tea has strange infu-
enee over mood strange power Of
changing the look of things, and changing
it for the better so that we can believe
and hope, and do, under the influence Of
tea, what we should otherwise give up in
diseouragement or despair-feelings un-
der the influence of which tissues wear
rapidly. In the language of the poor,
who in Lop1on, we are told spend an
eighth of their income in buying tea, it
produces feeling of comfort. Neither
the philosopher nor the phianthropist will
despise this property of tea, this power
of comforting comfort or removing e1-7uli.
of promoting those happier feelings Of
our nature under which We can do most
and bear most. There is 40 denying tka
considerable dependence Of our moods
and frames of mind upon substances; and
as moods arc as importans as muscles as
they affect as largely a mans ability for
the great ends Of life, we cannot regard
the cheapcning of substances-when de-
void of noxious qualities-as other than
a most imnogtant. ,5eneft to the poor, and
met interostir.. 6 pertinent for medl-
e., observers to watch.


Tea is indeed great fact in our pres
ent mode OF life. 1t has been the max.
ing of an additional meal amongst US
since the "goOd old days" when people
lived on three meals day Justice has
scarcely been done to the magnitude of
the change which has happened since the
time when gentlemen-aye, and ladies.
too-tool; beer at their early breakfast,
when they dined at eleven, supped be-
tween Eve and SIX, and went to bed at
ten. Tea and coffee have been the priu-
cipal causes Of this revolution.


One of the most important results of
the use OF tea is the prolongation of the
social evening. At the time of evening
leisure it gives the feeling of morning
Iightsomeness and freshness. 1t has
something like the effect of sleep upon
Us. 1t removes that heayisegs which fol-
lows the principal meals and would take
US to bed at ten" 1t postpones the
hour Of sleep. As consequence of the
postponement of the hour Of sleep, follows
inevitably the postponement Of the hour.
Of waking. Early rising has probably
no such enemy as tea.


There arc not a few people who break
fast when their fathers used to think of
dinner, who dine when their f-thers sup
ped, and who take their ealiven.ag. cup
at the hour when their fathers were get
ting stupid and making ready for bed.
| No doubt there is some evil in all this,
but there is more good. The mere alter
alton in the hours of sleep, or even tho
taking Of an additional hour for that
purpose, are not necessary evils. Tho
question of evil or good turns upon tho
character Of our waking hours, and We
believe We are not saying too much for
our present life VIXEN we say that life
never was so active and fruitful of good
results as now. OF course the increased
consumption Of tea which is to happen
may involve some physiological conse-
qucnces Of djsagreeablc nature, hEt not
many for the class to whom the Cheap.
cning Of tea will be tAo greatest tempta-
ti5a are not troubled with nerves.n-
They have so much hard work to do, and
so little Of luxury in their lot that the
adition Of a little good tea to their fare
can only be great comfort and great
boon, for which they will bless the pana
Of Mr.. Gladstone Lancet.


tJfAn Englishman on the continent
had hired 4 smart travelling servant, and