Calling all antiquarians!

[IrishAyes]

3. Wow. Thanks. I guess I'm too young for the earlier era (the author's) and

too old for yours, maybe; since I didn't understand the reference. Awkward.

But I'm sure you have hit the nail on the head! Of course strict church folks in the 1800's weren't about to admit using spirits even as medicinals - although they commonly did. They'd need a suitable euphemism. Since whiskey plays such a large part in folk medicine, I'm sure that's what they did. Although of course for the kids it would be cut with a lot of sugar.

One time in the middle of nowhere without transportation late on Friday, I developed a terribly abscessed tooth. So I took a new bottle of whiskey and used it as a mouthwash which of course I swallowed. When I gradually figured out what it would take to stop the pain but leave me sober enough to take care of myself, that's the level I maintained. By the time Monday rolled around that bottle was gone gone gone, but I never really got drunk enough to matter and never had a hangover either. Monday in the dentist's chair was hell day for me!