Radio Malt was an early to mid-20th century brand of malt extract preparation that followed the Minadex trend.[1] Produced by British Drug Houses, it contained vitamin A, aneurine hydrochloride, riboflavin, and calciferol.[2] The contents were sickly sweet, with a consistency between molasses and treacle. It is much loved by George Molesworth ("Molesworth 2"), brother of the classic schoolboy character Nigel Molesworth.[3]

Radio Malt was being sold in the UK by the mid-1920s[4] and was studied at this time as a treatment for rickets.[5] In India it was trademarked in 1942.[6]

A favourite of film producer and politician David Puttnam,[7] Radio Malt was often used in English boarding schools in an attempt to change skinny young girls into prettier roundness[8] and given to post-World War II children to give them more bulk.[9]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Newnham, David. (October 23, 2002) Nursing Standard Outside in Volume 17; Issue 6; Page 31.
  2. ^ "Malt Extract (Barley)". Herbdata New Zealand. 2002. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  3. ^ Molesworth - Page 94,96,241 and 391
  4. ^ "Monthly Memoranda (points for propaganda)". 1926–1927. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  5. ^ Redman, Thirza (1929). "The hydrogen ion concentration and the calcium and phosphorus content of the faeces of rachitic children". Biochemical Journal. 23 (2): 256–260. doi:10.1042/bj0230256. PMC 1254019. PMID 16744211.
  6. ^ "Register of Trademarks Indexed on Class & TM No. (p.176)" (PDF).
  7. ^ Freud, Clement. (February 6, 1993) The Times Local hero with a finger in every pie; David Puttnam; Gut Feelings. Section: Features; Page SR.
  8. ^ Davenport, Philippa. (February 10, 1996) Financial Times Food and Drink: Puds to make a Briton proud - Cookery. Page IV
  9. ^ Bovey, Shelley. (January 15, 2000) The Scotsman AB Flab.