01/7Whiskey as a remedy during Spanish flu

Whiskey: To drink or not to drink? This question is probably currently in every spirit lover’s mind, as nowadays it is suggested to stay away from alcohol as it acts as an immunosuppressant. But do you know that in 1918 whiskey was prescribed by medical experts themselves when the deadliest pandemic of its time hit the whole world?

Spanish flu is said to be the mother of all pandemics as it swiped away 3-5% of the world’s population. It is estimated that between 1918 and 1920, 50-100 million people lost their lives.

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02/7​Whiskey: A medicine

​Whiskey: A medicine

As Spanish flu seeped deep into the United States of America, people restored to their old school remedy; whiskey. It was recommended in small quantities and was said to have medicinal benefits. Doctors, nurses and frontline workers regularly used whiskey to safeguard themselves from influenza. Some physicians believed whiskey helped stimulate the heart and respiratory system that are weakened by illness, while others thought that its sedating effect brought some comfort to the patients.

Since there were no antibiotics available in 1918, a range of treatments from aspirin and strychnine to Horlicks, Vicks Vaporub and whiskey were used to treat patients.

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03/7​TOI in 1919

​TOI in 1919

According to an article published in The Times of India newspaper on April 4, 1919, whiskey not only acted as a stimulant but a sedative too.

The article said, “The demand for an increased issue of whisky emanates from those who would use sickness and death rate as an additional argument in favour of a relaxation. If whisky’s sale is permitted, it is certain that much of it will be consumed for other than purely therapeutic purposes. Whiskey is not only a stimulant but a sedative too. It induces a sense of well-being and freedom from anxiety, which is certainly a help in resisting infection.”

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04/7​Increased sale of whiskey

​Increased sale of whiskey

A liquor dealer in Syracuse was quoted in a 1918 newspaper report: “We have sold more than three times the amount of whiskey since the epidemic began. They take it with yeast cakes, with soda, with quinine and with a dozen other things, and some take it straight. Some of our customers say physicians have advised the use of whiskey and others say their friends have used it with good results. Even people who have never drunk whiskey in their life are taking it now.”

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05/7​Treatment during Spanish flu

​Treatment during Spanish flu

US Navy nurse Josie Mabel Brown recalled serving in 1918 at the Naval Station Great Lakes near Chicago and said, “There were so many patients we didn’t have time to treat them. We didn’t take temperatures; we didn’t even have time to take blood pressure. We would give them a little hot whiskey toddy; that’s about all we had time to do. They would have terrific nosebleeds with it. Some were delirious and some had their lungs punctured. Then their bodies would fill with air. You would see them with bubbles all through their arms. Oh, it was a horrid thing. We had to wear operating masks and gowns all the time. It was 16 hours a day until the epidemic was over. I suppose no one knows how many died. They just lost track of them.”

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06/7Can whiskey be used as a medicine?

Can whiskey be used as a medicine?

There was no scientific backing behind whiskey as medicine during the Spanish flu. It was widely prescribed by doctors only because it acted as a sedative and provided some relief from the illness by inducing an intoxicating effect. There is no connection between whiskey and the medicinal benefits it provides to the patient. In 1917, even the American Medical Association said that alcohol itself was of no medicinal value. In today's time, if you notice COVID related symptoms, it is best not to self-medicate as it can worsen the symptoms and invite more trouble.

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07/7​Bottomline

​Bottomline

The times have changed. We have more medicines now and much more research has already been done about the efficacy of alcohol as a pain killer or cure than was done in the time of Spanish flu. It is a known fact that binge drinking and excessive consumption of whiskey weakens the immune system. On the other hand, mixing alcohol and painkillers can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding, which can worsen your illness and slow down the recovery.

It is advised to avoid alcohol during times like these when COVID-19 has grappled the whole world. If you have recently got vaccinated or are planning to get vaccinated soon, it is best to talk to your doctor about alcohol consumption.

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