Punch Cures the Gout, the Colic and the Tisic", after a caricature by Gillray late 18th century. The curative property of alcohol is proposed for a variety of ailments common in this period. Gout is an arthritic disease sometimes set off by a bout of heavy drinking. Tisic was an old name for pulmonary tuberculosis. Needless to say, the 'cure' was actually a loss of symptoms felt as the alcohol consumed created a state of euphoria and insensibility in the drinker."