02-06-2005, 08:01 PM
Actually, whether waterborne diseases were as major killers in pre-modern times as is assumed from modern experience has been questioned recently. I woin't pretend I fully understand the argument as it was explained to me - something to do with population density and the virulence of intestinal bugs. At any rate, the assumption that crowded pre-modern cities invariably succumbed to the runs is dubious, though the case is far from closed.<br>
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You also need to factor in that people had a good appreciation of what constituted 'good' water. They had to drink lousy stuff every now and then, but not by choice. In Roman times, much effort was expended on getting good water (as was done in the middle ages, but the political structure of the medieval city - separate from its surrounding countryside - as opposed to that of the Roman civitas - ruling its pagus - made aqueducts problematic.) I've drunk from the Aqua Virgo and I'm still alive.<br>
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Finally, I'm not sure they were aware of the sterilising effect of alcohol. Preferring clean wine to dirty water must have come naturally, but I doubt we can read a medical intent into it. Otherwise, would they have mixed their wines as freely with water? (2 parts wine to 5 parts water sounds insufficient to me if you want to kill germs).<br>
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I guess alcohol consumption must hae been quite common. We should look at Mediterranean traditions here - in Italy, diluted wine was a common beverage for everyone up to the last century. However, in financial straits, or in logistically tight corners, water must have been the drink of necessity. I personally speculate the Romans drank much - whenever I read about the 'thick, syrupy, heavy wines of Antiquity' that allegedly needed dilution I can't help wondering how they managed that in the Moselle valley. I rather suspect they liked the soft-drink feeling of drinking large quantities of cool liquid in summer. But that is pure speculation on my part. <p></p><i></i>
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You also need to factor in that people had a good appreciation of what constituted 'good' water. They had to drink lousy stuff every now and then, but not by choice. In Roman times, much effort was expended on getting good water (as was done in the middle ages, but the political structure of the medieval city - separate from its surrounding countryside - as opposed to that of the Roman civitas - ruling its pagus - made aqueducts problematic.) I've drunk from the Aqua Virgo and I'm still alive.<br>
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Finally, I'm not sure they were aware of the sterilising effect of alcohol. Preferring clean wine to dirty water must have come naturally, but I doubt we can read a medical intent into it. Otherwise, would they have mixed their wines as freely with water? (2 parts wine to 5 parts water sounds insufficient to me if you want to kill germs).<br>
<br>
I guess alcohol consumption must hae been quite common. We should look at Mediterranean traditions here - in Italy, diluted wine was a common beverage for everyone up to the last century. However, in financial straits, or in logistically tight corners, water must have been the drink of necessity. I personally speculate the Romans drank much - whenever I read about the 'thick, syrupy, heavy wines of Antiquity' that allegedly needed dilution I can't help wondering how they managed that in the Moselle valley. I rather suspect they liked the soft-drink feeling of drinking large quantities of cool liquid in summer. But that is pure speculation on my part. <p></p><i></i>
Der Kessel ist voll Bärks!
Volker Bach
Volker Bach
