The Virtue and Use of Coffee With Regard to the Plague and Other Infectious Distempers

AT this time, when every Nation in Europe is under the melancholy Apprehension of an approaching Plague or Pestilence, I think it the Business of every Man to contribute, to the utmost of his Capacity, such Observations, as may tend to the Service of the Publick. Upon this foot, I have some Months since published my Thoughts of the Plague in general, upon an Hypothesis which many of the Learned concur with, tho' some few dissent from it: However, I find, that the Remedies prescribed by the Physicians of both Opinions, are little different from each other. It is remark'd by several Learned Men abroad, that Coffee is of excellent Use in the time of Pestilence, and contributes greatly to prevent the spreading of Infection: And one of them, in a Letter to me, observes, that in some Parts of Turkey, where the Plague is almost constant, it is seldom mortal in those Families, who are rich enough to enjoy the free Use of Coffee, but that the Poorer Sort, who want that Benefit, seldom escape. Again, the same Person observes, that Coffee is not subject to be destroy'd by any Insect, or is subject to rot, as most other Seeds or Grains will do; and therefore justly concludes, that it is of great Virtue and Use in all Distempers, which are supposed to be occasioned by Insects, or unwholesome Air. And it is likely, if the true Virtue and Use of Coffee had been known in London in the Year 1665, when the Plague raged there, that Dr. Hodges, and other Learned Men of that time, would have recommended it. But since it is now become a Liquor known to most people, I have thought fit to republish its History, with several Additions and Remarks; especially how far it is useful in Pestilential Cases, with an Account of the best Method of roasting the Berries, and preserving them after roasting: And for the Satisfaction of the Curious, have prefix'd a Figure of the Tree, Flower, and Fruit, which I delineated from a growing Tree in the Amsterdam Gardens.

AN
Historical Account
OF
C O F F E E.
COFFEE, of late Years, is grown so much in request throughout England, Holland, and other Parts of Europe, that I need say little to recommend its History to the World: The general Use of it rather seems to command this Work, that by our having a more familiar Knowledge of it, we may relish it the better. And again, what yet prompts me further to this Undertaking, is the Opportunity I have at this time to present the World with a perfect Figure of the Tree that produces this celebrated Fruit; which is not done here by any random Guess, or according to the uncertain Report of others, but drawn by my own Hand from a growing Tree. Source: Wikipedia

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