Sir, – Myles na gCopaleen would have suffered a wry smile at the news item a few pages from last Saturday's tribute: "Scientists are working on a pill that can keep you sober even after drinking large amounts of alcohol". Half a century ago, as well as investigating a hang-under pill, Myles had discussed such a prophylactic – solidified cubes of a well-known drink – with Irish Timesjournalist Tony Gray.
“Everybody carries a little box in the waist-coat pocket. You’re doing your finals in the National. You’ve a terrible hangover,and you can’t bring yourself even to read the examination paper.
“You pop one of these tiny cubes into your mouth and suddenly all becomes clear.
“Or suppose you’re forced to go to Mass with the wife. In the middle of the boring sermon you suck on one of these, and suddenly the world seems a different place.”
In matters of scientific inquiry – and invariably for the benefit of mankind – Myles was always way ahead of his contemporaries. – Yours, etc,