I am suspicious of her specific situation, but generally, you make a good point.
My maternal grandmother nearly died of flu in 1918 (while waiting for her husband to return with three purple hearts, and possibly without one arm).
Her breathing passageway was almost completely shut. They saved her life by pouring Vick’s Vapo-Rub directly down her throat.
P.S. To her surprise, the medics found a way to save his arm. He only lost a couple of fingers. He was the sole survivor of his artillery platoon.
Wow, what a story. Or several stories in one!