Beef Tea for Invalids

[NH Civil War Gal]

From the Museum of Civil War Medicine in Frederick, MD. I'm a member and I encourage you all to join, so they can keep on bringing exhibits like this to the public.

#MuseumMonday

During the 19th century, beef tea was a common remedy for invalids and patients, thought to provide strength to the ill. It was often prepared for patients with a double boiler such as this one on display at the Museum.

In 1863, "The New York Times" published an article about care Union soldiers received during the Civil War, citing their "beef-tea diet" as part of "their daily fare in hospital, its excellence and variety, and the admirable arrangements for their comfort."

 

[donna]

I found several recipes for this. Thanks for adding.

 

[lupaglupa]

This is not much different than giving sick people chicken soup! Broth is easy to digest and full of nutrients. It make sense.

 

[Rhea Cole]

A young lady from Murfreesboro TN had her cook make up "chicken water" to take to the CSA hospital in town. That turn of phrase has always struck me as odd.

 

[NH Civil War Gal]

I wonder how many of these boilers survive, complete.

 

[Rhea Cole]

I wonder how many of these boilers survive, complete.

I don't know how many, but this is where I would expect to find one… or a lot of them.

About the Museum | The Arabia Steamboat Museum | Kansas City

The Arabia Steamboat Museum is a unique Kansas City attraction: a time capsule of life on the American frontier in the mid-19th century, and the largest single collection of pre-Civil War artifacts in the world.

www.1856.com

 

[Rhea Cole]

1800's Tin Portable Field Cook Stove - Double Boiler - Soup Warmer - Original | eBay

Made from durable tin, this stove is built to last and withstand the rigors of outdoor use. This item falls under the categories of Antiques and Primitives, and is sure to be a valuable addition to any collection.

www.ebay.com

 

[Kearny The Magnificent]

For anyone interested in trying it: