Bromide

[battersby]

I was brought thinking Bromide was given to soldier's to put in their tea to lessen their libido. I was reading an article about the war's, 1st and 2nd and it stated Bromide being given was an urban myth! I've Googled but no joy. TIA.

[stewey]

Battersby, I think you are referring to potassium nitrate, or saltpetre (also salt petre). Some authorities say yes it was an antlibidoneous agent added to military diets. Others say no: that it's just a popular misconception. Not much help, eh?

[battersby]

Thanks for your reply stewey, I've just done another Google on PN aka salt petre but it say's that was used as gunpowder? It was definately Sodium Bromide but thanks all the same:-)

[Quizmonster]

Well, if they were using bromide when I did my National Service fifty years ago, as we all believed at the time, it didn't work!

[Lonnie]

Hi battersby, I served 1966/76, and we were definately given Bromide, to slacken our ardour, all depending where we were posted to,
We were given it in the Middle and Far East, where the different types of VD were prevalent.
Can;t say if it worked or not, it didn't appear to.
It was given in our tea,

If memory serves me, Ether was also given, injected ino our eggs,

[jno]

I believe some old soldiers are starting to notice its effects now, QM...

[solera]

JNO is right 56 years on

[Quizmonster]

Maybe so, J, but I'm still prepared to complain at my fishmonger's if I buy a dozen oysters and only eleven of them work!

[battersby]

Thanks all for replying. So QM, you think it was'nt given or if it was it did'nt dampen your ardour..lol. Hi Lonnie so you definatley had bromide? Why Ether? I thought that was an anaesthetic? (sp). jno and solera..56 year's to take effect..lol