SC - Is drinking water "period"

[CorwynWdwd@aol.com]

Unto the List, 

The following was posted to the Meridian List.  I contacted the person who 
wrote it (we then had a nice discussion about the knowledge of germs, etc., 
in "period") and asked if they minded if I cross-posted it.  (see 2nd 
paragraph). Since we often discuss recipes for "documented" drinks at feasts 
- - I pose the question: Is my goblet full of water "period"??

Rayne   

Original Post: Actually, people in period did NOT drink water.  They didn't 
have our
facilities for cleaning and sanitizing the water, so drinking water would be
a pretty good way to catch a pretty nasty disease.  Fermenting or brewing it
basically takes care of these problems, or so I understand, so that is why
ale and wine were staple drinks.

Reply to my comments and request to cross-post:  I have no problem if you 
cross-post it, although I admit that I haven't researched the topic 
extensively.  Even if they didn't know that there were germs or viruses, or 
bacteria, or whatever in the water, you would think that they would realize 
that if they drank the water, they would get sick.
But then, they also had a lot more instances of food poisoning and such, so
maybe it was just a common place occurrence that they didn't attribute it to
the water at all.  Also, they may not have believed in 'bugs', but they DID
believe in foul 'humours' in the air and water, that made people sick.