Whiskey, spirits, distilled alcohol, aquavits, the original purpose was to heal the body and prolong life. As early as the BC era people were looking for a way to extend their lives and live better. The thought was to concentrate the essence of plants and grains. Somehow at some point in time, things had gotten watered down. If we could only get them back to their original form, we could drink the elixir and live forever.
This came to the forefront during the middle ages when they were no purity laws or food standards and the water was undrinkable. They used to eat in the dark so they could not see the maggots as well. Beer was drunk by all. It was appropriate to give beer to children. Not only was it safe to drink it was/is a good source of calories when other nutrition is scarce. Many drank their supper and were glad to at least have that.
Herbs, greens, and other plants were used as medicines. Great research was done on the boiling distilling and concentrating of them to somehow purify them into an elixir of life. These early/standard remedies of the day allowed for the synthesis of modern chemical medicines.
Beer was discovered as a way to prolong the life of grain and wine for grapes. Along with the same line barley, rice, wheat, and corn were all so fermented and distilled. Famers could ferment their unused crops. The drink could then be shipped long distances without it spoiling. Beer and wine can and will eventually go bad. Liquor, specifically whiskey, never will. Drink whiskey and you won’t either.
This was all in the name of science, in the name of curing one’s ailments. It was a way of extending the life of an agricultural product. As time and technology progressed, as the world got over its wars and battles, whiskey and alcohol were more and more needed. Smokeless gunpowder, cleaning wounds, anesthetic, and improving morale, to name a few uses.
Whiskey was/is a preservative. It never went bad. It was always good. So of course, it would preserve you. A quick google search reveals that whiskey will cure a cold, cough, headache, gout, various infections, sour throat, constipation, fever, food poisoning, toothache, and much more. It can heal diseases. It could heal whatever it is that ales you. (Unless you ask a bartender trying to close up at 2:00 am.)
Alcohol specifically whiskey was used as a medicine during the civil war. The distillers shipped their products directly to hospitals and doctors. It was in such demand for its medical uses that it was hard to find any to drink. It was the primary medicine for the 1918 pandemic outbreak. (Probably the 2020/21/22 one as well.) Even as late as the 1920s / 30’s whiskey was used as a medicine. Doctors during probation could order as much as a pint a day per patient. It was after all truly believed to be medically necessary.
In the spirit of our ancestors, the ones that studied,
survived, and drank 4 times the volume of alcohol than we do, I raise my
glass. After all, one should respect
their elders and follow their lead. To
all the whiskey, bourbon, scotch, rye drinkers out there; get another
bottle. Live long and prosper.
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