SECTION XI.
If these suggestions are admitted, they will assist us in determining when and to whom the use of Tea is salutary, and to whom it may be deemed injurious. Those, for instance, who either from a natural propensity to generate a rich inflammatory blood, or from exercise, or diet, or climate, or all together, are disposed to be in this situation: to these the use of Tea would seem rather beneficial, by relaxing the too rigid solids, and diluting the coagulable lymph of the blood, as a very sensible and ingenious author very justly styles it[92].
There are idiosyncrases, certain particularities, which are objections to general rules. There are, for instance, men of this temperament, strong, healthy, vigorous, and with not only the appearance, but the requisites of firm health, to whom a few dishes of Tea would produce the agitations familiar to an hysteric woman; but this is by no means general: in common they bear it well, it requisites them, they endure fatigue after it, as well as after the most substantial viands. Nothing refreshes them more than Tea, after lasting and vehement exercise. To such it is undoubtedly wholesome, and equal at least, if not preferable, to any other kind of regale now in use.
But, if we consider what may reasonably be supposed to happen to those who are in the opposite extreme of health and vigour; that is, the tender, delicate, enfeebled, whose solids are debilitated, their blood thin and aqueous, the appetite lost or depraved, without exercise, or exercising improperly; in short, where the disposition of the whole frame is altogether opposite to the inflammatory; the free and unrestrained use of this infusion, and such accompanyments, must unavoidably contribute to sink the remains of vital strength still lower.
Between these two extremes there are many gradations; and, every thing else being alike, Tea will in general be found more or less beneficial or injurious to individuals, in proportion as their constitutions approach nearer to these opposite extremes. To descend into all the particulars would require experience and abilities, more than I can boast. Suffice it to say, that, except as a medicine, or after great fatigue, large quantities are seldom beneficial, nor should it ever be drank very hot; and, as hath been already mentioned, the finer Tea, the green especially, is more to be suspected than the common or middling kinds.