There is an instance of a man of fifty-eight who could not live
through the night without a pail of water, although his health
was otherwise good. Atkinson in 1856 reported a young man who in
childhood was a dirt-eater, though at that time complaining of
nothing but excessive thirst. He was active, industrious, enjoyed
good health, and was not addicted to alcoholics. His daily ration
of water was from eight to twelve gallons. He always placed a tub
of water by his bed at night, but this sometimes proved
insufficient. He had frequently driven hogs from mudholes to
slake his thirst with the water. He married in 1829 and moved
into Western Tennessee, and in 1854 he was still drinking the
accustomed amount; and at this time he had grown-up children.
Ware mentions a young man of twenty who drank six gallons of
water daily. He was tormented with thirst, and if he abstained he
became weak, sick, and dizzy. Throughout a long life he continued
his habit, sometimes drinking a gallon at one draught; he never
used spirits. There are three cases of polydipsia reported from
London in 1792.
Field describes a boy with bilious remittent fever who would
drink until his stomach was completely distended and then call
for more.
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