Part 7

If it should be said, that _Tulpius_ informs us, that the _Chinese_ dissolve a few Grains of Salt, or Sugar, in their Infusions of _Tea_, I answer, we here enquire not what is done, but what ought to be done; not what is palatable, but what is conducive to preserve Health, and restore it when lost. Though I do not altogether disapprove of _Salt_ in _Tea_, yet I absolutely condemn _Sugar_. How ill the _Europeans_, especially those of the _Northern_ Countries, consult their Health, by mixing their _Mustard_, and their Sauces of _Vinegar_, and _Horse-Radish_, designed as a Preservative against the _Scurvy_, with _Sugar_, I have already shewn, in _Class. 3. Quadripartit. Botan._ For the same Reason, _Sugar_, mixed with an Infusion of _Tea_, infringes and impairs its Virtues; so that, by this means, we drink, not a medicated Water, but little more only than simple _European_ Water, edulcorated with _Sugar_. This, no doubt, is an excellent Remedy against Intoxication; but certainly if we read both antient and modern Authors, we shall find, that Drunkenness may be removed by drinking cold Water. Besides, an Intoxication, next to Madness, may be greatly alleviated by wrapping up the _Scrotum_ in Cloths dipped in cold Water. Hence we have but little Reason to bring _Tea_ from _China_, _Tartary_, and _Japan_, at an extravagant Price, which might be far better laid out, in relieving poor indigent Families at Home. But the present _Europeans_ are vastly different from what they were before the _Asiatic_ Effeminacy was known among us. The _Europeans_ might, perhaps, be indulged in the perpetual Use of _Tea_, provided their Regimen was the same with that of the _Asiatics_. Now, Regimen includes all the five Non-Naturals, which are Air, Meat and Drink, Excretion and Retention, Motion and Rest, Sleep and Watching, and the Passions of the Mind. Now, all these, in _Europe_, are vastly different from what they are in the _Indies_, as is obvious from the faithful and impartial Accounts, given us by _Martinius_, and _Mandelslo_. This Subject is excellently handled by _Hippocrates_, in _Tr. de Aere, Aquis, & Locis_, who joins these three together, with great Judgment, and for very sufficient Reasons; since each of the three has Atoms, in a manner, peculiar to itself, which it continually sends forth, and diffuses even to a great Distance: So that some Bodies, according to _Bartholine_, may, by means of the Atoms they emit, propagate the Sphere of their sympathetic Actions, to the Distance of a Thousand Miles. About the _Equinoxes_, and _Solstices_, the sudden Changes of the State of the _Atmosphere_, and the Variety of Vapours exhaled from the Earth, produce surprizing Alterations in Health. And these Exhalations rise sometimes in such large Quantities, as to be condensed, and by their own Weight to fall down, in the Form of sulphureous Showers: A memorable Instance of this we had in _Norway_, where, on _May 19, 1665_, a violent Tempest, accompanied with uncommon Thunder, and thick Clouds, broke out: During this Storm, there fell from the Clouds, a Substance, highly similar to Sulphur, which not only floated on the Water, but also seemed to cover the Earth. When _Stobæus_ subjected this Matter to an Examination, he found, after drying, and passing it through a Sieve, that when it was become moderately warm, on an heated Tile, it emitted a fetid Smoak of the same Colour with that of the Spirit of _Nitre_, in Distillation. But this Matter could not be fused by the strongest Fire; by which Means, however, it became inodorous, and like small Sand, though before it resembled a fetid, coarse Sulphur, reduced to Powder. The same Author, in his Letters also, informs me, that, when about as much of the recent Matter, as would lie on the Point of a Knife, was laid upon a red hot Tile, it was spontaneously kindled, made a Kind of Noise, and emitted a reddish fetid Smoak. Next Day _Stobæus_ endeavoured to sublime this crude and sulphureous Matter, by itself, without any Addition, in order to discover, whether Flowers of Sulphur could be obtained from it; but his Labour was in vain; for though the Matter became red hot by due Degrees of Fire, yet no Flowers appeared; only the first Steam, which, in the Alembic, appeared reddish, in the Water, assumed a dark ferruginous Colour: Then, by augmenting the Fire, a whitish Spirit appeared, which gave a similar Colour to the Water. This Steam and Spirit appeared in Distillation to be of an acrid Taste; so that _Stobæus_ justly concluded them to contain a volatile Salt, of a particular Kind. The same Author informs me, in his Letter, that the Rain which fell, during the Thunder, smelled of Sulphur: And from this Observation, he thinks, the Chemists Doctrine, concerning the Generation of Thunder, may be confirmed. As every Substance does not act upon every other Substance, nor sulphureous Things on those of the same Nature, he put this Matter into Spirit of _Turpentine_, and digested it by a gentle Fire; by which Means, it gave the Liquor a a yellowish Colour, and a Smell, very like that of Balsam of _Sulphur_: But of these I shall not treat at greater Length, since I am perswaded that Miracles have ceased, and that Providence disposes of second Causes according to wise and stated Laws. Hence it is, that about the _Vernal_ and _Autumnal Equinoxes_, or _Solstices_, all Sorts of Diseases, and especially those of the endemial or epidemical Kind, rage; such as the _Scurvy_, _Measles_, and _Small-Pox_, as also the _Plague_, though often these Disorders are confined to one City. A memorable Instance of this, we have in the Cities of _Hambourg_ and _Amsterdam_, which, in 1663, and 1664, were afflicted with a Pestilence, which, however, did not spread itself to _Denmark_, _Sweden_, _Britain_, _France_, and _Germany_. But, as the _Plague_ is imported from _Africa_, it is probable, that the Salubrity of the Atmosphere, in those Countries which escaped, checked the sulphureous, saline, and pestilential Atoms, which first contaminated the Air of _Amsterdam_, and then that of _Hambourg_. But all Countries differ so widely, with respect to Air, Water, and Situation, that none of them, even the most contiguous, are exactly alike, and conspire in producing the same Effects. Thus, among the _German_ Wines, the _Rhenish_ is the best; though it also differs in Goodness, according to the particular Parts in which it is produced. The like holds in the _French_ Wine, the worst of which is reckoned that of _Orleans_; for which Reason, _Quercean_, in his _Diæticum, Cap. 6._ tells us, "That in the Oeconomy of the King of _France_'s House, it is enacted, by a domestic Law, that the Steward shall give the King no _Orleans_ Wines;" which, however, has a very grateful Taste. The same holds, not only in Ales, but also in other Things: Thus, the _Noremberg_ Cakes, on account of the peculiar Qualities of the Water with which the Meal and Aromatics are made up, are far better, and more pleasant to the Taste, than those prepared in the same Manner, in any Part of _Europe_. This is what the Philosophers have been at so much Pains to account for. The Air, Water, and Situation, also constitute the Reason, why _Tea_ in _Europe_ does not produce the same Effects it does among the _Asiatics_, especially the _Chinese_. Many Persons of Rank and Distinction have informed me, that they could never be sensible of the so-much-extolled Virtues of _Tea_, nor perceive that it prevented Sleep, or rendered them more brisk, and fit for Business. One or two Persons, however, subject to Catarrhs, have confessed to me, that they have become far better by the long Use of _Tea_. Thus, I have heard, that a certain Ambassador to the _Dutch_, who before laboured under a Difficulty of Hearing, had his Disorder totally removed, by the large Quantities of _Tea_ he drank at the _Hague_. I, myself, have found _Tea_ to be diuretic. I own, two or three Persons who have travelled, not only through _Europe_, but also through the _East Indies_, have affirmed to me, that in _Japan_, the drinking of _Tea_ infallibly removes Intoxication, and prevents Sleep; but this Effect is not at all produced by it in _Europe_. Thus, I have been informed, that Strangers, upon their Arrival in _Muscovy_, can drink such large Quantities of _Brandy_, as would put an End to their Lives in other Countries. Thus, it may happen, that the _Chinese_, or _Japonese Tea_, with the Assistance and Concurrence of other Things, may produce a particular Effect, which _Tea_ will not do in _Europe_. But all these Effects are produced by _Betony_, an Herb universally known in _Europe_: Thus, it is certain, that our _Chamelæagnus_ is the _Tea_ of the _Chinese_, or _Japonese_. But to illustrate my Subject the better, I shall make a few Remarks on the peculiar Genius, Regimen, and Method of living used among the _Indians_ and _Chinese_. The _Indians_ then are fond of moistening Aliments, which guard against the Heat of the Sun; such as Cherries, Fruits of all Kinds, Pot-Herbs, Fishes, Oysters, Crabs: Besides, _Michael Boym_, a learned Jesuit, in his Flora Sinensis, mentions various Fruits which are not produced in _Europe_; whereas Nature has furnished the _Chinese_ with others, either like to, or exactly the same with, those of the _Europeans_. The former of these, and the other similar Delicacies of the _East Indies_, do, in all Probability, give rise to new Diseases in _Europe_. This Jesuit speaks of _China_ in the following Manner: "The Kingdom of _China_ is, as it were, a Compound of the whole Globe, or rather, a Gem, in which more Riches are to be found than in all the rest of the World besides. In the _Southerly_ Parts of the Country, the Heats are most intense, and produce large Quantities of all the _Indian_ Fruits, such as Dates, Mangas, Ananas, and others: Whereas the _Northern_ Parts produce Figs, Chesnuts, Nuts of all Kinds, Peaches, Apricots, and Pears of various Kinds." Thus provident Nature has furnished the _Southermost_ Parts of _China_ with Fruits intirely unknown to the _Europeans_; whereas, the _Northern_ Parts produce such as are known in _Europe_, and suited to its Soil and Climate: Since, in the former, the Heats are very intense, but not so in the latter. Thus Nature seems to have prohibited us the Use of the former of these Fruits, by placing us at such a Distance from them, and to have indulged us in the Use of the latter, by placing us so near them; for the Precept, of sometimes using Things to which we are not habituated, does not hold in this Case: Since, being _Europeans_, we ought to use the Regimen, Aliments, and Drinks, peculiar to _Europe_; for it is no less generally than justly observed, that the natural Produce of any Country is best suited to the Constitution of its Inhabitants. Thus _Tea_ seems by Nature adapted to the Inhabitants of _China_, _Coffee_ to those of _Persia_, _Chocolate_ to those of _America_, and _Ale_ and _Wine_ to those of the different Parts of _Europe_. Thus the antient Inhabitants of _Saxony_ and _Megapolis_, before they became fond of foreign Delicacies, used to say proverbially, _Drink Wine, and reap Benefit from it; drink Ale, and become fat; drink Water, and die._ It is also certain, that in former Times, the Inhabitants of _Iceland_ and _Norway_, when they used a simple Regimen, and were Strangers to foreign Luxury, enjoyed good Health to an incredible Age; whereas, their Posterity are not only weaker, but hardly live beyond the thirtieth, fortieth, or fiftieth Year of their Age: So that the _Lyric_ Poet seems to have made a just Prophecy of our own Generation, in the following Lines:

_Damnosa quid non imminuit dies? Ætas Parentum pejor avis; tulit. Nos nequiores, mox daturos Progeniem Vitiosorem._

_Europeans_ then must have their Constitutions impaired, and their Strength exhausted, by living like the Inhabitants of _Asia_, _Africa_, and _America_; especially since _Macrobius_, in _Lib. 7, Saturnal. Cap. 4._ shews, that the most simple Aliments are the most salutary, and easily digested. Besides, _Socrates_ ordered his Pupils to abstain from such Meats and Drinks as created an Appetite after Hunger and Thirst were satisfied. But, according to the _Chinese_, _Tea_ produces an Appetite after Hunger and Thirst are satisfied; therefore the drinking of it is to be abstained from. The same holds true with respect to _Chocolate_, and _Coffee_. But I return to the _Chinese_, who are accustomed to Water-drinking, and a frugal Life. Hence, their Physicians, whom _Martinius_, in the Preface of his _Atlas Sinicus_, seems to prefer to those of _Europe_, no doubt, enjoin them the Use of _Tea_, in order to prevent the Generation of excrementitious Humours; or, when generated, to carry them off by Stool, or Urine; for, it is certain, from what has hitherto been said, that _Tea_ is moderately heating, bitter, drying, and astringent. If it should, for these Reasons, be said, that _Tea_ is justly to be commended for a Weakness of the Stomach, I answer with _Celsus_, in _Lib. 1. Cap. 8._ "Our Countrymen ought not to be believed, who, when indisposed, covet Wine, or Water, and instead of charging their own Luxury, lay the Fault on the Stomach, which has no Share in it." This Passage is equally applicable to _Tea_, _Coffee_, and _Chocolate_, and seems to insinuate, that such Persons, in order to satiate their Thirst, falsly accuse their Stomachs. If this were more carefully adverted to by the Patrons of the _Chinese_ Delicacies, and especially those who look upon _Tea_ as a _Panacea_, they would use it more sparingly, especially in a bad State of Health; because _Celsus_, in _Chap. 3._ of the same Book, tells us, "That Changes ought to be gradually and slowly made; since that to which the Patient is not accustomed, proves, hurtful, whether it be soft, or hard".

But the _Chinese_ Method of using _Tea_, is not agreeable to the Custom of the _Europeans_, and therefore hurtful to them.

Hence the _Germans_, _Saxons_, and Inhabitants of other Nations, in the _Baltick_ Sea, being neither accustomed to much Wine, nor to dilute it with Water, are generally seized with malignant Fevers, when they go into _France_, or _Italy_; because every fixed Substance fixes such as is volatile; whereas, such as is volatile, resolves that which is fixed. Hence the thick and fœculent Blood of the _Germans_, consisting of saline, sulphureous, fixed, and volatile Parts, and being changed by the Regimen of _France_, and the Heat of the Sun, is subtilized by the _Tartar_ and _Sulphur_ of the _French_ Wine, especially in such _Germans_ as took great Care of their Health, when in their own Country; and in those who enjoyed good Health, their Blood is not only subtilized, but also ferments, undergoes an Ebullition, and is despumated. Hence arise Spots of different Colours, produced by the Blood variously corrupted. But these I have considered more fully in my _Digressio de Febribus Malignis_. This Doctrine is warmly inculcated by _Hippocrates_, who, in _Lib. de Fract. Senectut. §. 6._ tells us, "That the Age and Constitution of one Person, differ widely from those of another." But this Assertion, how true soever, is but little adverted to by most of the _Europeans_. But I think it incumbent upon me, for the Reasons now alledged, to warn them against the Abuse of _Tea_; especially since we find, that this Herb does, by no means, answer the Encomiums bestowed upon it by the _Chinese_ and _Japonese_. I own _Tea_ is of a more drying Quality than many _European_ Herbs; but, for this very Reason, the constant Use of it is so far from procuring Longevity, especially in Persons of a middling Age, that it rather accelerates old Age; which, according to _Macrobius_, in _Lib. 7. Saturn. Cap. 11._ is, "an Exhaustion and Dissipation of the vital Liquor, by Length of Time; for old Age is dry, for Want of natural Moisture, and sometimes moist through a Redundance of peccant Humours, produced by Coldness of Constitution." Since then _Tea_, by Means of the Sulphur it contains, is of a more heating and drying Nature than _Ginger_, _Cinnamon_, _Pepper_, _Cubebs_, _Cardamomis_, or _Arabian Castus_; hence, it necessarily follows, that it is injurious to old Persons, and such as are of a dry Constitution, and loose Texture of the solid Parts. On account of this dry Constitution, and natural _Marasmus_ of old People, which no Art can prevent, they become thirsty, and more addicted to tippling, than in their younger Years: Hence arises the _German_ Proverb, _If a young Man knew the Pleasure of drinking in old Age, he would be saving in his younger Years._