A Dissertation upon Tea: explaining its nature and virtues, by many new experiments; and demonstrating the various effects it has on different constitutions. To which is added, the natural history of tea; ... Also a discourse on the virtues of sage and water; and an enquiry into the reasons, why the same food is not equally agreeable to all constitutions ... The Second Edition by SHORT, Thomas (1690-1772) - 1753

London: Printed for Dan. Browne [and others], 1753. Small 4to. [4],199,[1]pp. Expertly bound to style in half period russia and marbled paper covered boards, spine with raised bands, red morocco lettering piece Rare early English work on the medicinal uses of tea. Thomas Short (d. 1772) was a physician at Sheffield who specialized in the curative effects of spa waters. First published in 1730, the work covers the history of tea, including its importance in Japan and China and its first appearance in England. Short discusses the curative uses of tea in preventing such ailments as the spitting of blood, scurvy, dropsy, and indigestion. He advises its use as an antidote against the effects of chronic fear or grief and stresses that "[t]ea, if moderately drunk, and of a due strength, is generally more serviceable to the fair sex than to men" (p. 61). Short also points out the ill effects of tea, which include tremors and should on no account be used for obstructions of the liver, spleen, or pancreas. Included is "An Appendix Containing a Dissertation on Sage and Water" in which Short describes the various types of sage and its medicinal properties. The present scarce second edition not to be confused with Short's more common Discourses on Tea, Sugar, Milk, Made Wines, Spirits, Punch, Tobacco, etc , published the same year. ESTC N2348.