A Treatise on Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate — A Closer Reading

_Tobacco_, _Tea_, _Coffee_, and _Chocolate_.

TOBACCO, TEA, COFFEE, _and_ CHOCOLATE.

I. The Advantages and Disadvantages attending the Use of these Commodities, are not only impartially considered, upon the Principles of _Medicine_ and _Chymistry_, but also ascertained by _Observation_ and _Experience_.

II. Full and distinct Directions laid down for knowing in what Cases, and for what particular Constitutions, these Substances are either beneficial, or hurtful.

III. The _Chinese_ or _Asiatic Tea_, shewn to be the same with the _European Chamelæagnus_, or _Myrtus Brabantica_.

_The Whole Illustrated with_ COPPER PLATES, _exhibiting the_ Tea _Utensils of the_ Chinese _and_ Persians.

Written originally by SIMON PAULI;

Now Translated by Dr. _JAMES_.

_Ante omnia scire convenit Naturam Corporis; quia alii graciles, alii obesi sunt, alii calidi, alii frigidiores, alii humidi, alii sicciores, alios adstricta, alios resoluta, alvus exercet._

Celsus, _Lib. 1._ _Cap. 3._

Printed for T. OSBORNE, in _Gray's Inn_; J. HILDYARD, at _York_; M. BRYSON, at _Newcastle_; and J. LEAKE, at _Bath_.

As _Nicolaus Monardus_, in _Simpl. Med. Histor._ has given so full and accurate an History and Description of _Tobacco_, that others have only borrowed their Accounts of it from his Works, we shall, in the Words of that Author, in _Cap. 14_, inform the Reader what _Tobacco_ is, where it is produced, and to what Uses it is applied.

"The Plant _Tobacco_, says he, was formerly used by the _Indians_, and especially by the Inhabitants of _New Spain_, for the Cure of Wounds. A few Years ago it was imported into _Spain_, rather for the Decoration of Gardens, than on Account of its medicinal Virtues: But it is now more celebrated for the latter, than used for the former.

"This Plant is among the _Indians_ called _Picelt_; for the _Spaniards_ first called it _Tobacco_ from a certain Island of that Name, where great Quantities of it were produced.

"It rises to a great Height, and is sometimes as tall as the _Lemon-Tree_. Its Trunk is strait, and sends out many large Branches, which bear Leaves almost resembling those of the _Lemon-Tree_, but larger, like those of the _Burdock_, of a faint green Colour, and a little rough and shaggy, as the Whole of the Plant is. The Tops of the Branches bear Flowers of the Shape of a small Bell, which are white at the Extremities, but of a purple Colour in the Middle; and when these Flowers fall off, they are succeeded by small Heads, which resemble those of the _Black Poppy_, and contain a very small cineritious blackish Seed. The Root is thick, divided into many Parts, internally of a ligneous or woody Nature, Saffron-coloured, bitter, and easily deprived of its Bark: But I am acquainted with no medicinal or other Quality of which it is possessed.

"The Plant grows in most Places of the _Indies_, and especially those of a moist and shady Nature, and in light well cultivated Soils: It may be sown at all Seasons; but when it appears above Ground it is to be preserved from the Cold, and may be transplanted for the Decoration of Garden-Walls; for, like the _Citron-Tree_, it continues green through the whole Year.

"The Leaves are only used; though when these cannot be had, some use the Seeds in their Stead. The Leaves are preserved by passing a Thread through them, suspending them in a shady Place, and thus drying them, after which they are used either whole or reduced to Powder.

"_Tobacco_ is hot and dry, and consequently heats, resolves, cleanses, and is a little astringent, as will appear from these following Virtues, of which it is possessed.

"The Leaves of _Tobacco_ heated and applied, prove an excellent Remedy for a _Cephalæa_, and _Hemicrania_, provided these Disorders arise from a cold Cause, or Flatulences, but the Use of them is to be often repeated, till the Disease is removed. Some, before the Application of them, anoint the Head with the Oil obtained from the Flowers of the _Orange-Tree_. The same Remedy is beneficial for a Rigidity of the Neck or _Tetanus_, and for Pains of the whole Body, arising from the same Cause.

"When a Tooth-ach proceeds from a cold Cause, the wiping the affected Tooth with a Linen-Cloth, soaked in the Juice of _Tobacco_, and then putting a Piece of the Leaf, made up in Form of a Pill, into the Hollow, not only removes the Pain, but also prevents the spreading of the Corruption.