small fact for march 23rd  

Well, I am certainly no expert on the Alps, but I thought the brandy in the cask was sugared and that it was alcohol because it wouldn't freeze and you cold have something to five you some initial warmth after the dog dug you out? Hmmm... Good thought though. If it is just brandy that would be stupid. But then -- do they even still do that?

lol that's a nice one yvonne
i really did not know those facts about drinking
but i can't imagine myself giving up a small glass of scotch from time to time:)

When it's excessively cold , a drink can help to generate some heat inside the body, but during a frostbite drinking does negatively affect our blood circulation.It's definitely not on.By the way,wish you a very happy birthday.

Quite right. if you are cold, drinking alcohol will dilate the blood vessels and increase heat loss which is exactly what you don't want to happen! Gentle warmth applied to the exterior of the body is what's needed.

Makes you wonder how these legends come into effect. You're right. Alcohol is not the right answer to this. It also dehydrates you. But I guess you could mix it with snow, would be like mixing it with water. LOL.

We know so much more now than we did in the olden days. It probably was a bit to not down you but to revive you a bit for the journey to the lodge. You have your information correct. Just remember the time it was done. We do things differently now. Love St Bernards.

Unless I'm mistaken (and since I'm not taking the time to research this, I very well may be) the brandy was not really intended for drinking purposes as much as it was for sterilization. IE if the snowbound person had an injury or such, they could use the alcohol to clean the wound and then wrap it until they get back to safer conditions.

Thanks for your information but I do think that I would only have a small amount of any alcohol if I needed to warm up I find that whiskey helps me when I am cold but I have had a small amount of brandy in my coffee and this does definately keep me warm for a couple of hours.

I thought the purpose was to help ward off shock. I'm not sure if this is still done. I would be curious to see the reports of damage victims suffered from the alcohol after being rescued from such horror. Alcohol was probably used to calm the nerves and not really looked at as medicinal in saving a life? I'm not really sure.

You are right in that drinking alcohol will affects the blood circulation increasing the speed of frostbite.The Saint Bernard should be carrying stirrups so we can ride the animal back to civilization!