Whatever Things agree in Form and Virtues, are of the same Species:
The _Cha_ of the _Tartars_, the _Thee_ of the _Chinese_, and our _Chamelæagnus_, agree in Form and Virtues:
Therefore, they are all of the same Species and Kind.
But Physicians may object, that I am still bewildered, and at a Loss; since the _Chinese Tea_, and our _Chamelæagnus_, produce different Effects: For, as all the Effects which the _Chinese_ or _Indians_ ascribe to their _Tea_, seem to arise from the Diversity of its Parts, some of which are moderately warm, others excessively dry, some gross, and some subtle: Hence, both _Tea_ and the true _Myrtle_, prevent Intoxication; nay, an Infusion of _Tea_ surprizingly keeps those who drink it in _China_, from sleeping for some Nights. It may, therefore, be objected to me, that the _Chamelæagnus_ is so far from preventing or removing Drunkenness, that it forthwith intoxicates the Person who drinks the Ale in which it has been boiled; but these Effects are as diametrically opposite to each other, as those others are of the _Chinese Tea_ removing an _Hemicrania_, and Head-achs, and the _European Chamelæagnus_ exciting them: I answer, all this is true; but, at the same time, it is to be remembered, that _Galen_ every where demonstrates, of how great Efficacy, the Diversity of Parts, in a compound Body, is; a memorable Example of which he has given, in _Acorns_ arrived at perfect Maturity, in _Tr. de Composit. Medicament. Loc. 1. Lib. 6._ I shall not affirm, that this Diversity of Parts alone, is sufficient to account for all the Effects produced by Tea, and the _Chamelæagnus_: But I am of Opinion, that both considered, with respect to their whole Substance, and the Mixture of Parts peculiar to each, act not so much by their weak Heat, as by their excellent drying Virtues; so that they produce their respective Effects only by their primary or secondary Qualities. But I can easily prove, whence this Disagreement of Qualities derives its Origin. We are, therefore, to consider, that the _Chamelæagnus_ abounds with a Salt, and a glutinous Sulphur, of which, according to _Dodonæus_, the Seeds and Fruit cannot be destitute: But, I deny that this Sulphur is, in the least, offensive to the Brain and Nerves; and affirm, that like the Wreaths of _Myrtles_, wore by the _Lesbians_, it, by its Fragrance, comforts and revives the Brain; for, if it was otherwise, I do not see how Ministers and Ambassadors to the Courts of _China_, should often, by the Use of _Tea_, be enabled to attend Business for whole Nights, without sleeping: This Account, however, must either be confirmed, or refuted, by Experience. _Diogenes Laertius_ informs us, that _Democritus_, when nothing else could be of any Service to him, protracted his Life three Days longer, only by the refreshing Smell of Bread, newly taken from an Oven. Thus, also, the moderate Use of Wine revives, corroborates, and, by its Sulphur, dries the Nerves; which is sufficiently known by Dancers, who frequently bath their Feet in Wine, in order to strengthen them; and by Musicians, who take the same Measures with their Hands: And if other Persons would frequently bathe their Feet and Hands with Wine, impregnated either with _Rosemary_, _Sage_, or _Betony_, it is incredible, how much it would contribute to their Health. Besides, it may happen, that, by this Means, malignant Disorders may be prevented. This Redundance, therefore, of a volatile Sulphur in the _Chamelæagnus_, which palpably affects the Smell of those who walk in Copsy Ground, disturbs the Brain, intoxicates, and produces Head-achs. Thus, in Wine-Vaults, a Person is intoxicated by drinking, sooner than elsewhere, because the Wine, though contained in close Casks, sends forth sulphureous Exhalations, which escape the Sight. It is certain, that the _Tartars_ import their _Cha_, or _Chamelæagnus_, into _China_; but, it is not, to me, probable, that they prepare it in the same Manner with the _Chinese_: For, if we consider the Customs and Regimen of the _Tartars_, we find them intolerably addicted to Drunkenness; notwithstanding which, they are very robust and hardy: Hence, if they eat Herbs crude, and also boiled, as they do their _Baltracan_, it is probable, they toast their _Cha_, or dry it, and use it, whether after a _Crapula_, or not, and whether they are afflicted with a Pain of the Head, or not; provided they are intoxicated with it, as the Country People of _Europe_ are with the _Chamelæagnus_ In order to correct this intoxicating Quality of the _Chamelæagnus_, the _Chinese_ gather the Leaves in the _Spring_, and not in the _Summer_: Now, it is sufficiently certain, from chemical Observations, that the sulphureous Parts of Herbs are easily exhaled.