Booth's Mental health

[Rick Smith]

As a doctor in that era, would Mudd have likely given Booth whiskey for pain or would he have had a drug for that purpose?

I would think alcohol was the cheapest and best available painkiller and all-purpose drug. I don't think Dr. Mudd had nor had easily/quickly gotten morphine, especially without raising suspicions.

It is also important to remember that Samuel Mudd was primarily a tobacco farmer and that his medical practice was secondary to his farming. He probably did not have a well stocked medicine cabinet. I do not think his procuring drugs would raise any suspicions; he was a licensed medical doctor after all, but probably he would not administer morphine for pain. Laudanum would be much more readily available. The FDA was not watching over all at that time and opiates could be purchased by private citizens.

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As a doctor in that era, would Mudd have likely given Booth whiskey for pain or would he have had a drug for that purpose?

I would think alcohol was the cheapest and best available painkiller and all-purpose drug. I don't think Dr. Mudd had nor had easily/quickly gotten morphine, especially without raising suspicions.

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"While resting at Mudd's, Booth asked for brandy, but was told by Mrs. Mudd there was none in the house. She offered him whiskey, but he declined it."

Two things catch my eye here - 1. Booth did drink whiskey at other times, e.g. right before the deed at Tavult's saloon; 2. Brandy was Dr. Leale's first choice to apply to A. Lincoln.

I have never drunk either - what is the difference?

Whiskey is distilled from grain; brandy is a fortified wine. Dr. Leale was using brandy as a "stimulant" in Mr. Lincoln's case.