There are several ways to use honey, but who has heard of it for curing a hangover? An account of a dramatic employment in this connection is given by the famous Vermont doctor Jarvis. It is in his Folk Medicine, described as a book which "swept America" about four decades ago. The good doctor tells how a man in his forties had been drinking from December 27th to January 10th. He was paralysed drunk, when seen. First he was given six teaspoons of honey. And at intervals of 20 minutes given the same dose again. In a bedside bottle there was still one drink left. It was still there three hours later. The dosage of honey went on, as above (Lor').
The book says that he was seen again next morning at 8.30. The man had slept straight through the night, something he hadn't done for 20 years (but he had taken that last drink in the bottle). Believe it or not, the previous day's routine of three more doses of six teaspoonfuls of honey. Then he was allowed a soft-boiled egg. More honey. For lunch: four teaspoonfuls of honey, a glass of tomato juice and a piece of ground beef. For dessert: more honey.
Then, we are told, a friend brought him a pint of liquor. He pushed it away and said he didn't want it any more, and never took a drink again. The doctor tells us that folk medicine believes over-indulgence in alcohol to be evidence of potassium deficiency in the body. As honey is a good source of potassium, he says, the craving for alcohol is counteracted by taking honey regularly. He gives a list in which sherry, port and vermouth are described as "very acid"; beer, too; while whiskey is "weakly acid". He doesn't condemn the labourer for his beer after a hard day, nor begrudge the businessman his evening cocktail. There is endless food for thought in this off-beat volume. It was published this side of the Atlantic by W. H. Allen. Folk Medicine by D. C Jarvis, M.D.
Irish beekeepers may not make such claims, but they produce fine honey. The Co Dublin Beekeepers' Association starts its 1998 beginners' course on February 10th at Litton Hall, Wesley House, Leeson Park, but you must book before January 31st. Phone 2888873.