Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1885 — Tea an Irritant Drug. [ARTICLE]

Tea an Irritant Drug.

The experience of every confirmed tea-drinker, when soundly interpreted, supplies condemnation of the beverage; the plea commonly and blindly urged on its behalf being, when understood, an eloquent expression of such condemnation. “It is so refreshing;” “I am fit for nothing when tea-time comes round until I have had my tea, and then I am fit for anything. ” The “fit for nothing” state comes on at 5 p. m., when the drug is taken at the orthodox time, or even in the early morning, in the case of those who are accustomed to have a oup of tea brought to their bedside before rising. With blindness still more profound, some will plead for tea by telling that by its aid one can sit up all night long at brain-work without feeling sleepy, provided ample supplies of the infusion are taken from time to time. It is unquestionably true that such may be done; that the tea-drinker is languid and weary at tea-time, whatever be the hour, and that the refreshment produced by “the cup that cheers” and is said not to inebriate is almost instantaneous. “What is the true significance of these facts ?” The refreshment is certainly not due to nutrition, not to the rebuilding of any worn-out or exhausted organic tissue. The total quantity of material conveyed from the tea-leaves into the water is ridiculously too small for the performance of any such nutritious function; and, besides this, the action is far too rapid, there is not sufficient time for the conversion of even that minute quantity into organized working tissue. The action cannot be that of a food, but is purely and simply that of a stimulating dr irritant drug, acting directly and abnormally on the nervous system.— W. Matt leu Williams,in Popular Science Monthly.