jake leg syndrome

sionnach commented on the word jake leg syndrome

In the 1930s, a specific affliction struck moonshine drinkers in a number of Southern states. It is estimated that some 50,000 people were crippled with partial paralysis, mostly in their legs, as a result of drinking "jake". In some cases the paralysis proved to be temporary, but nearly all victims were forced to walk in a high-stepping, foot-slapping style that quickly became known as the "jake walk" or the "jake leg".

jake leg blues

January 16, 2008