Tim W wrote:
> From: [1878] Corson, Juliet - Twenty-Five Cent Meals for Families of Six
>
> We donot know of any pleasanter accessory to a meal than a cup of good tea
> or coffee.
>
> The physiological action of very strong tea is marked; moderately used it
> excites the action of the skin, lungs, and nervous system, and soothes any
> undue action of the heart; used to excess, it causes indigestion,
> nervousness, and wakefulness. No doubt its effects are greatly modified by
> climate, for the Russians drink enormous quantities of very strong, fine
> tea. A recent war report gives the following account of its use in the army.
>
> "The Russian soldiers are said to live and fight almost wholly upon tea. The
> Cossacks often carry it about in the shape of bricks, or rather tiles,
> which, before hardening, are soaked in sheep's blood and boiled in milk,
> with the addition of flour, butter and salt, so as to constitute a kind of
> soup. The passion of the Russian for this beverage is simply astonishing. In
> the depth ofwinter he will empty twenty cups in succession, at nearly
> boiling point, until he perspires at every pore, and then, in a state of
> excitement rush out, roll in the snow, getup and go on to the next similar
> place of entertainment. So with all the army. With every group or circle of
> tents travels the invariable tea kettle, suspended from a tripod; and it
> would be in vain to think of computing how many times each soldier's
> pannikin is filled upon a halt. It is his first idea. Frequently he carries
> it cold in a copper case as a solace upon the march."
>
> Dr. Edward Smith sums up the physiological action of tea as follows:
>
> "1 A sense of wakefulness.
>
> "2 Clearness of mind, and activity of thought and imagination.
>
> "3 Increased disposition to make muscular exertion.
>
> "4 Reaction, with a sense of exhaustion in the morning following the
> preceding efforts, and in proportion to them.
>
>
These tidbits are so interesting. Much of Corson's output has
become rather fragile (and is probably therefore somewhat hard to
find). It is kind-of like old newsprint.