Old Memories.: Hello everyone. I found... - Lung Conditions C...

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Old Memories.

Notmyfullname profile image
55 Replies

Hello everyone. I found this site by looking for "malt on a spoon" because my sister and I were reminiscing about our childhoods in the 1950's. I was diagnosed with C.O.P.D. about 4 years ago but stopped smoking and hopefully my symptoms have gone! Anyway, we all start getting aches and pains as we reach 70 don't we! I've got some ultra sound tests coming up on Thursday and hope they don't find any aliens lurking inside! Wish I could talk to my wife about it all but she passed away over 6 years ago. Hope nobody minds an old fart sounding off now and then!

I think I was right in saying that the malt was a "health insurance" measure. But WAS IT TASTY!? Is it right that the original malt isn't available?

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Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname
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55 Replies
2malinka profile image
2malinka

Born in 1950 I certainly remember the malt and the spoons of nasty cod liver oil. I quit smoking in 1992. Yet here I am with severe COPD.

From another 'Old Fart' He He

Take care

Malinka

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to 2malinka

So sorry about your COPD. I hope you have some really good days when it forgets to show itself! Please keep that sense of humour!

Lyd12 profile image
Lyd12

I was at school during WW 2 and I remember some children were given doses of cod liver oil andmalt, the ones who were a bit under nourished. My mum gave it to me sometimes, and I loved the malty taste. Welcome to our friendly forum, lots of lovely people here, and we look forward to getting to know you. Hope you get good results from your scans. Iris x

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to Lyd12

Thanks Iris. As I had bad bronchitis when I was young, I suppose that's why I was given the malt- to build me up! Looking forward to our chats.

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss

I used to love malt with halibut liver oil I sometimes even had it on sandwiches! I was labelled 'a delicate child' back then 'cos I was ill so often but I reckon I must have been as tough as old boots as I survived in spite of all the illnesses - and am still alive and kicking. Maybe there was something in that 'health insurance' thinking! Hope your scan goes well, with good results.

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to Magpuss

Thanks, from one "delicate child" to another! Boots were made to last!

Elorac profile image
Elorac

Was that malt stuff called virol or was that something else ?

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to Elorac

I don't know because I was too young to take notice of the name. Just knew it as "here's your malt!" You could be right though.

knitter profile image
knitter in reply to Elorac

Hi elorac....it was Virol that I had as I was considered a weakly child....and cod liver oil and that thick orange juice in school.

I googled Virol and wish I hadn't .....

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss in reply to Elorac

Another reminder of days past, virol was different but taken for the same reasons, my school friend didn't like malt so her mum gave her virol - I liked them both.

oulpete profile image
oulpete in reply to Elorac

yes, we used to take Virol too, I think it may have been a commercial name but was same as malt extract.

stephne profile image
stephne

hope things go well for you on Thursday,this is a site you can let off steam and a LOT of good advice is given,i love it,

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to stephne

Thanks! Nice to have found the site. Just what I need. Good advice and friendly people!

Offcut profile image
Offcut

I was given malt on a spoon but I do not think it was a horrid taste. I was always off with a chesty cough most terms at school. I do remember having a raw egg with a drop of sherry and the malt in the winter to keep me warm?

Malt extract can be still bought from most health shops and stores.

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to Offcut

Hi, Offcut. Sherry eh? Who was the lucky one then? Raw egg? NAH!!!

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply to Notmyfullname

Before edwina curry put her foot in it ;)

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to Offcut

Right That was a Major mistake!

Offcut profile image
Offcut in reply to Notmyfullname

pun intended? ;)

Jaynair profile image
Jaynair

Welcome to the site :), here's hoping the scan on Thursday is all okay x

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to Jaynair

Thanks, Jaynar.

Pam1952 profile image
Pam1952

Hello and welcome. I was born in 1952 and used to get a spoonful every day in winter, being a chesty child. I loved it! You can still get it from Holland and Barrett if you want a trip down memory lane! 😆 Good luck with the tests.

Take care.

Pam XXX

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to Pam1952

Cheers Pam. It seems as if we kids with poorly chests got to hog it all!

I think it served to take away the taste of 'orrible medicine!?

Pam1952 profile image
Pam1952 in reply to Notmyfullname

I quite liked Cherry Linctus, but wasn't too keen on Liquifruita! 😂😂😂

Tee1008 profile image
Tee1008

I remember the spoonful of malt very well...loved it!! (It was malt or a spoonful of cod liver oil...no contest 😖) I wasn't even a sickly child.

Nice to meet you, Notmyfullname, and welcome to the forum. I hope the aliens don't show up... x

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to Tee1008

Thanks Tee. Looking forward to getting to know everyone.....not the alien!

knitter profile image
knitter

My late father, born in 1921, was given a dose of brimstone and treacle every Friday when he was young. I am glad that tradition wasn't carried on.

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to knitter

Phew! Not nice!! Can't imagine that did anyone any good!

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss

Does anyone remember having to wear a thermogene jacket and, or - a liberty bodice?

redted profile image
redted in reply to Magpuss

Yes I did with the rubber buttons, and used to have a spoon of brimstone believe it was given if the blood got over heated , I found it ok, also the malt was alright

knitter profile image
knitter in reply to Magpuss

I remember the Thermogene.....it looked a bit like that orange thermal lagging.....and the dreaded Liberty bodice.

My friend's brothers had a ceremonial burning of hers on a bonfire in the garden as she hated hers so much.

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss in reply to knitter

I suppose that's what it was really - lagging for sickly children, horrible! Compared to that the Liberty bodice was positively fashionable, and in cold houses it felt just like a warm cuddle when putting it on straight from the fire guard. Warm vest, thermogene jacket, liberty bodice, warm full length underskirt and then the outerwear - and I still looked no wider than a clothes prop! Can't say the same now and I wear fewer and thinner clothes - happy days!

Azure_Sky profile image
Azure_Sky

cod liver oil and malt is still available. I have bought some in the past and it is wonderful. I daren't buy another jar because I can't resist the stuff. Boots Chemist do their own. So do Potters and Holland and Barrett. Here is a link to page full of jars.

bing.com/images/search?q=co...

velvet55 profile image
velvet55

Hello Notmyfullname

Hee Hee " old fart " love it 😂.....coming up to seventy, that's not old !!

Although l am only 19 😂😂 l remember my mother shoveling a huge dollop of malt down my mouth every day...l hated it. , ....But l loved the orange juice my mum had, that was prescribed to all expectant mums in the 50s.

Happy days 😂

xx

redted profile image
redted in reply to velvet55

That orange juice was beautiful .

velvet55 profile image
velvet55 in reply to redted

Hi redted

It was delicious...no fizzy drinks in those days, l had the choice of water or milk, so my mums orange juice was a real treat...l can see it now, in it's glass bottle with a silver screw on top 😂

xx

redted profile image
redted in reply to velvet55

Wonder why they stopped it, could it have been the sugar content as it was thick like syrup.

Azure_Sky profile image
Azure_Sky in reply to redted

Boots and Holland and Barratt sell it, so do some other chemists.

redted profile image
redted in reply to Azure_Sky

Really must have a look 😀

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss in reply to velvet55

I used to love that orange juice my mum got it from the clinic for my brother and me, we had that immediately after the spoonful of cod liver oil - yuk! That was back in the forties.

jjnanna profile image
jjnanna in reply to velvet55

Best Orange was the one the milkman sold .... got it as a special treat x

velvet55 profile image
velvet55 in reply to jjnanna

Hi JJnanna

I remember that...didn't it come in stubby bottles.., Delicious !! 😂

xx

Lyd12 profile image
Lyd12

I remember being given Virol, hated that, remember it as having a meaty flavour? Had pleurisy as a baby. Nurse came to the house, my dad said it cost 2/6d a time!

Magpuss profile image
Magpuss in reply to Lyd12

My mum used to do washing and cleaning for out doctor so we used to get free visits when he came to pick up his clothes, (she also did his ironing) medicines had to paid for but if we needed to see the doc there was no need to pay for going to the surgery. He came from 'either' Ghana or Guyana I can't remember which and was the only black man in our town, he was a very conscientious doctor though.

jjnanna profile image
jjnanna in reply to Magpuss

Funny you say that we also had a 'rare' black doctor 'Dr Mundle' a very rotund, very cheery person who always looked so smart in his suit and always seemed so professional .. The doctor that took over from him was a very heavy drinker who got struck off in the end. I remember the surgery had that 'squeaky' lino on the floor lol ....

hufferpuffer profile image
hufferpuffer

Hello welcome to the site, I remember spoonfuls of Malt, I used to try and keep it in my mouth for as long as possible 😁 nice to meet another 50's baby, you can get lots of different brands from Holland and Barrett 😀 huff x

hollandandbarrett.com/shop/...

Oops I see that Azure Sky has beaten me to it lol enjoy tucking into your malt!😁

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to hufferpuffer

Thanks for the info. Will look next time I'm out shopping and who knows, I might get some! Must check that it's not fattening though!

jjnanna profile image
jjnanna in reply to Notmyfullname

Probably full of sugar though lol but oh so worth it lol x

Darn it need to go to Boots now lol x

joyce74 profile image
joyce74

My brother and I were both given a spoonful of cod liver oil and malt each day as children.i loved it and would lick the spoon clean.

Notmyfullname profile image
Notmyfullname in reply to joyce74

Mmmm. Just like a big toffee-apple!

Yes I remember it too. I was never keen on the taste. I also remember concentrated orange juice. I think they used to give it to poorer families at the baby clinic. I think there are a few of us old farts on here!

Carnival567 profile image
Carnival567 in reply to

I remember both cod liver oil and the orange juice. I think they must have been wartime measures because when my brother was born in 1951 it had stopped and Mum bought Jaffa juice for him instead, which my older brother and I were strictly forbidden. We never had virol but I remember a ghastly tonic I had to 'build me up'!

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

And orange juice and cod liver oil to us littl'uns in London to protect us from the effects of the London smogs.

jjnanna profile image
jjnanna

OMG so we weren't the only lucky kids in the 50's. We always had a large jar at the bottom of our xmas stocking (pillow case) with a spoon tied to it and a satsuma too. The first thing we did was open the jars and get stuck in ....I believe my sister still has a jar ...for medicinal purposes of course!! We used to call it GLOB cos that was what it was lol ... Loved it ...Cod liver oil and malt . Talk away about the good all days we will join in xxxxxxxxxxxxx

jjnanna profile image
jjnanna

Diagnosed with COPD cos only had 1 lung for 11 years but Nurse at new Docs Surgery says not ... says more Asthmatic ..... well what do ya know eh !

pollyjj profile image
pollyjj

We were given Clarke's Blood Mixture, mom used to say it stopped our blood from getting too rich and overheating.

take care

polly xx

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