On his western tour a hundred years ago, President Harding arrived in San Francisco. He had been exhausted and feeling generally unwell for the past few days. Upon arrival in San Francisco he was examined by doctors who found that he had pneumonia and that his heart was causing problems. He was confined to bed rest at the Palace Hotel and he was treated with liquid caffeine and digitalis. The President initially responded well to the treatment and seemed to be improving.
July 29, 1923: Bed Rest for Harding
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Liquid caffeine- black coffee? 😂
Probably more concentrated than that. Doctors were great believers in the utility of stimulants at that time.
Some farmer stories I’ve heard is that the wife would keep the coffee on back of wood burning stove all day and by supper time, it was thick! I’m sure strong also. I remember one job that always had the pot on. If it burned in bottom, he would just add a lil water. I’m sure they were all getting high concentrations of caffeine!
Army coffee had only two virtues: black as the Pit and hot as hell. If it didn’t keep you alert you were already dead.
Probably more concentrated than that. Doctors were great believers in the utility of stimulants at that time.
Stimulants and bed rest. Sounds like a plan.