Why President Teddy Roosevelt Smoked Cigars and Drank Whiskey As A Young Child
The future American leader wasn’t a bad boy, he was just following doctors’ advice
Although Teddy Roosevelt has a reputation for being one of the most hale and hearty American Presidents to sit in office, this was mostly earned after he reached adulthood. A lover of the outdoors and rugged adventure, this was in stark contrast to his childhood when he endured a litany of ailments and illnesses. One of the most severe was his asthma, which was mostly unfamiliar to doctors at the time. This was reflected by some of the treatments he was offered as a child to cure it, which included having the little boy smoke cigars and drink glasses of whiskey.
Born in 1858 in New York City to a prominent family, Roosevelt’s youth was spent in virtual agony. He was so sickly, with terrible asthma that he often had to remain indoors. In particular, he suffered late night asthmatic attacks that made him feel like he was being suffocated. These recurring episodes gave the boy and his family terrifying feelings of death and doom.
In an attempt to assist the ailing boy, the family employed numerous doctors, leading to some unusual ideas to treat his breathing disorder. Fortunately, he was gradually able to grow out of most of his…
