The hostility which has been manifested against the use of tea has been extended, with equal rancour, against that of coffee; and, probably with equal injustice. The principle upon which its qualities depend is more stimulant than that of tea, and certainly exerts a different species of action upon the nervous system, although it is very difficult to define the nature of this difference. If taken immediately after a meal, it is not found to create that disturbance in its digestion which has been noticed as the occasional consequence of tea; on the contrary, it accelerates the operations of the stomach, and will frequently enable the dyspeptic to digest substances, such as fat and oily aliment, which would otherwise occasion much disturbance. The custom of taking coffee immediately after dinner, so universally practised by the French, no doubt must counteract the evil effects which the peculiar form of their diet is calculated to produce. Coffee, like tea, has certainly an antisoporific effect on many individuals; it imparts an activity to the mind which is incompatible with sleep: but this will rarely occur if the beverage be taken for several hours before our accustomed period of repose.

It seems to be generally admitted, that it possesses the power of counteracting the effects of narcotics; and hence it is used by the Turks with much advantage, in abating the influence of the inordinate quantities of opium they are accustomed to swallow. When our object is to administer it as a promoter of digestion, it should be carefully made by infusion; decoction dissipates its aroma. The addition of milk is one of questionable propriety; that of sugar, or rather sugar-candy, may be allowed 1.

1 Coffee has been often imitated by the torrefaction of various grains. In the " Fourth Century of Observations" in the "Miscellanea Curiosa," we find a critical dissertation on the coffee of the Arabians, and on European coffee, or such as may be prepared from grain or pulse. Dillenius gives an account of his own preparations made with peas, beans, and kidney-beans; but says, that made of rye comes nearest to true coffee, and was with difficulty distinguished from it. This fact is curious, inasmuch as a spurious coffee has been lately vended, which is nothing more than roasted rye. The article is well known, under the name of "Hunt's Economical Breakfast Powder".

I have known some persons who have never taken this beverage without suffering from acidity in the stomach: where this happens, the practice must be abandoned.