[katana]

Considering the "quality" of the water available in the towns and cities (outbreaks of Typhus and Cholera were not uncommon) hard liquor, ale, beer, and wine were the safe bet to drink. Maybe the author thinks Perrier was around in 1830 or that boiled and distilled water tastes just dandy.

In Europe alcohol is still treated as a normal part of most peoples' diets and a meal without it uncivilized. Or shall we be like the teetotaling Wahabbis and Taliban? There's sober behavior we can all emulate. /s

[ansel12]

If alcohol dehydrates you, then how does that work?

I can take you to the desert and give you all the booze you want, and you will die.

[AustralianConservative]

But alcohol wasn’t banned under Prohibition – the sales were. I personally see good and bad parts to Prohibition, but wouldn’t support it for alcohol. That doesn’t mean my opponents are idiotic though.

[ansel12]

Considering the "quality" of the water available in the towns and cities (outbreaks of Typhus and Cholera were not uncommon) hard liquor, ale, beer, and wine were the safe bet to drink. Maybe the author thinks Perrier was around in 1830 or that boiled and distilled water tastes just dandy.

That was inaccurate and silly. You cannot replace fluid replacing drinks with booze.