The medical properties of these two beverages are considerable. Tea is
used advantageously in inflammatory diseases and as a cure for the
headache. Coffee is supposed to act as a preventative of gravel and
gout, and to its influence is ascribed the rarity of those diseases in
Prance and Turkey. Both tea and coffee powerfully counteract the
effects of opium and intoxicating liquors: though, when taken in
excess, and without nourishing food, they themselves produce,
temporarily at least, some of the more disagreeable consequences
incident to the use of ardent spirits. In general, however, none but
persons possessing great mobility of the nervous system, or enfeebled
or effeminate constitutions, are injuriously affected by the moderate
use of tea and coffee in connection with food.