The Way it Was

Travel Medicine-1843: A Cure for Seasickness

A letter to the Editor of Lancet, July 6, 1843

Sir:

On a recent aquatic excursion I was, as usual very sick. I tried brandy, soda water, coffee, etc, without the slightest benefit.

A lady aboard was using brandy and salt for some purpose which I did not inquire about, but by mistake she put the salt (one teaspoon) in a wineglass about half full of vinegar. This I mistook for my brandy, which was by its side, and swallowed.

In a few minutes I was delighted to find the sickness much abated and on taking a second dose was perfectly relieved, having soon afterwards a good appetite, and feeling not the slightest nausea after eating a hearty dinner and drinking two glasses of sherry.

I recommended the same remedy to a gentleman who was also very sick. It did not so completely restore him as it had done to me, but he told me that although he had made many voyages, was always sick, and had tried everything that is usually recommended, he had never experienced so much benefit as he had from the vinegar and salt.

I have no opportunity of giving it a more extensive trial, but hope that some of the readers of Lancet will give us the result of further experience, with information as to whether the salt or the vinegar, taken singly, will have the same effects.

Yours,

A Freshwater Sailor