Intoxicating Property of New Tea.

Manawatu Herald, 1 August 1896, Page 4

Intoxicating Property of New Tea.

Although Cowpcr speaks of "the cups that cheer, but not inebriate," thero is ovidonco of tho intoxicating power of tea. Tho Baltimore American gays that in China tea ici mroly used till it is a year old i cm:.'o of tho peculiar intoxicating propo'l'ty which now tea possesses. Thrco or iV'U* grains of theme are contained in less thr.n hsif an ounce of good tea and may bo t:.:( a in <•:, Cay by most full grown persons v.i.hoat unyleasant effects. But if twice t ii.i quantity, or oight grains a day, bo t.'l.vu the pulse becomes moro frequent, ti:o i:c:ivC boats moro strongly, and trembling cones on. At the same time the iiiui^ination is excited, and after awhile tlio thoughts wander, visions begin to be seen, ami a peculiar state of intoxication comes on. All these symptoms aro followed by and pass off in a deep sleep. Whether tho tannin in tea contributes in any degree) to its exhilarating or narcotio action ia not known.