Body Quote by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
“When I have supped too heavily of an evening, I drink in the morning a large number of cups of coffee, and that as hot as I can drink it, so that the sweat breaks out on me, and if by so doing I can't restore my body, a whole apothecary's shop couldn't do much, and that is the only thing I have done for years when I have felt a fever.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal correspondence, 1690s
He describes using intense coffee to combat fever, believing its heat and sweat-inducing effect can restore health when other remedies fail.
In simple terms: He drinks very hot coffee to break a fever, trusting its heat.
Key Takeaway
Use simple, immediate remedies when modern medicine is unavailable.
Themes
health
self‑care
traditional remedies
Mood
practical
cautious
Type
historical
medical
When to use this quote
- illness recovery
- cold weather
- early modern medicine
- personal health rituals
Key Concepts
physiology
thermoregulation
folk medicine
Questions to Reflect On
- Is relying on heat a safe way to treat fever?
- What alternatives could be more effective?
A Different Perspective
Coffee may cause dehydration or mask serious illness.
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