"THEY ALL SAY 'I MUST HAVE A DRINK!'"

THE 'GIMMIES' CAN BE CURED WITH LIQUOR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 22 , 1922, Dr. E.S. Kippel of the President Garfield* described an "insidious disease" that was raging on his ship on her last two voyages.  He claims the malady appears to be "beyond control."

The disease, he calls the "gimmies," results in stomach pains, headaches, ear aches and creaking bones.  The good doctor says his patients, both men and women, have one common symptom.  

They all say, "I must have a drink!"

*The President Garfield, originally SS Blue Hen State, was renamed in 1922.  In 1944, the ship became Refuge & served as a hospital transport.

SOURCE

"Gimmies Malady Haunts U.S. Ship, Liquor Cures It," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 22, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

U.S.S. Refuge

US Navy Photo

Navsource.org/