The Abuse of Coffee.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 466, 26 April 1890, Page 6

The Abuse of Coffee.

Dr. F. Mendel (the ‘ British Medical Journal ’ says) has recently enjoyed opportunities of studying the results of an un' bridled abuse of coffee, and his results are now published. The great industrial centre round Essen includes a very large female population. While the women of the working classes in this country are often addicted todosing themselves with tea that has stood too long, it appears that the workmen’s wiveß at Essen drink coffee from morning till night. Some consume over a pound of Ceylon coffee weekly, and one pound contains over sixty-four grains of caffeine. In consequence, nervous, muscular, and circulatory disturbances are frequent. The nerve symptoms are characterised by a feeling of general weakness, depression of spirits, and aversion for labour even in industrious subjects, with headache and insomnia. A strong dose of

coffee cau&es the temporary disappearance of all these symptoms. The muscular symptoms consist of distinct muscular weakness, and trembling of the hands even during rest. The circulatory symptoms are marked by a small, rapid, irregular pulse, and feeble impulse of the apex of the heart. Palpitation and heaviness in the precordial region are frequent. The hands and feet feel very cold, and the complexion becomes sallow. Dyspeptic symptoms, chiefly of the nervous type, are very common. These coffee-drinkers cannot be cured by simple abstention from their favourite drink, with substitution of milk as a beverage. They require rest from work, open air exercise, cold ablutions followed by friction, and small doses of brandy.