06/08/2026
Newspaper Exploration
The Aiken Recorder
June 1, 1886
"Beverages for Workers in the Hot Weather"
As good health is of the highest importance to all who labor for their daily bread, it will be well to heed just now the following good advice from a “farmer’s wife” in the Practical Farmer:
Cold water is not desirable, as too much of it causes intense perspiration, which is weakening. Iced milk is most acceptable, but it is so good they are apt to drink in such quantities as to destroy the appetite for more substantial diet. Egg-nog is very nourishing. Hot coffee is good in moderation especially when they are unloading hay and mowing away.
Another wholesome drink is oat meal water. Take two teacupful’s of oat meal and turn over them two quarts of boiling water; stir quite often; let it cool; add a quart of milk and a lump of ice; it makes a splendid beverage and serves for nourishment as well as drink.
If a man gets overheated of sunstruck take a quarter of a teaspoonful of cayenne and stir into a cupful of milk and give to drink. On no account let him drink cold water.
Great care should be taken about drinking too much cold water in the hot weather by everyone. Lemonade is a very good drink taken in small quantities, as the acid is agreeable. Small sips are more effectual in quenching thirst than large draughts.
