Martin Van Buren’s Soot Cocktail
The 8th president treated stomach pain with a bizarre home remedy. Van Buren drank a mixture of water, soot, and charcoal recommended by his doctor during his 1837-1841 term. He claimed this gritty concoction actually worked to settle his digestive issues. His aides watched with concern as he gulped down the black liquid. This strange medical treatment contrasted sharply with Van Buren’s otherwise sophisticated “Little Magician” public image.
