iarbonelseye010 wrote:
Historical blurp here.
Important thing to remember if your story is set in a medieval-type setting:
In most places in the middle ages, water was not the safest thing to drink due to lack of purification capabilities. Most people drank Ale (alcoholic drink made from fermented barley), beer (think that was made from fermented wheat...not sure), or something similar on a daily basis. This is similar to the modern day European casual consumption of alcohol (not that European water isn't safe). This fact brings up two points when dealing with an alcoholic character.
Important thing to remember if your story is set in a medieval-type setting:
In most places in the middle ages, water was not the safest thing to drink due to lack of purification capabilities. Most people drank Ale (alcoholic drink made from fermented barley), beer (think that was made from fermented wheat...not sure), or something similar on a daily basis. This is similar to the modern day European casual consumption of alcohol (not that European water isn't safe). This fact brings up two points when dealing with an alcoholic character.
People assume this, but you have to remember that as recently as the 70s people on camping trips drank from the streams without feeling concern.
Furthermore, you may be surprised to know that-if my science book is right-the air and water before the industrial revolution was significantly cleaner than it is today. Besides this, the actual disease spread during the day were mostly spread through poor hygienic practices, not water spread illness. And, to my knowledge, Anthrax is not known to exist at the time.
Besides all this, in a fantasy world, illness can operate on an entirely different basis. Perhaps the gene pool isn't degenerate enough to be susceptible to illness.
Actually, though, I like the idea of this character learning to live on goats milk. It's good for you: can't go wrong with that!
