Tea-Drinkers' Disceases.

Southland Times, Issue 9359, 27 October 1886, Page 4

Tea-Drinkers' Disceases.

It is not a little curious tbat the di»eaßßs arising fiom the wrocg use of tea should he met with in greater fnqienoy ia countries foreign to its growth. Kecen'ly in Frarce M. Eloy has reminded medical men how vast is the Dumber of diseases owning au aileg - ance to the dominion of Queen Tea. The list of headings in M. E oy's paper is well calculated to arouse attemiou, and we hope, to le'id to some abatement of this widespread disorder. Amcr'c-i a-H Eugltod ate the two countries that are afflicted most wuh the maladies p.ri -in jr fiom the excessive consump. tio;« of tea. 'ibf. pridomicja: cc cf n»rv. a* «ys ems is a charac. eristic of ' th. hrn ; ' general ix^iiation of the J'aiKaons of tue nervous system may be observed ; or the weakness may be noted more especially in the brain as distinguished from the spinal cord. Perversion of tha seme of hearing is not at all an uncommon symptom — patients healing voices tbat have uo rtal or otj ctive existence. The irritability that overtakes women co frequently may sometimes be clearly traced to an excessive indulgence in afternoon tea. It is a mistake to suppose t! at it if the poor sempstress who is the chief sufferer from • theiim. 1 No doubt the tannin which tea that has been standing long contains does a great amount of mischief, but the derangement thtt it cau.-es hardly belong* to tha f class of diseases with which we are at present concerned. The habit of tea drinking i« one that grows on its victims like the similar ones of opium or alcohol. Taken in strict modera'ion, and with due precautions in the mode of preparation, tea is, like alcohol, a valuable stimulant ; in its abuse there is aho a ccitain analogy. There is bardly a morbid symptom which may not be traceable to tea as its cause. — Lancet.