well, I guess we all get brain-fagged every now and again. I used to love a cool cigarette now and again!

Malt-nutrine - I wonder if there was alcohol in it?

Anheuser-Busch Malt-Nutrine

A Tonic with Food Value
You will find in Malt-Nutrine valuable tonic properties of Saazer hops. You will also find the food value of more than
14 per cent of pure malt extract. The ingredients of Malt-Nutrine are carefully and properly chosen to constitute a real
food-tonic and are combined through scientific processes under the direction of competent chemists.
Anheuser-Busch's Malt-Nutrine is the recognized standard of medicinal malt preparations.
It is extensively prescribed by physicians as a food-tonic for nursing mothers, protracted convalescence from acute
diseases, insomnia and many other conditions. Do not confuse it with cheap dark beers.
Pronounced by the U.S. Internal Revenue Department PURE MALT PRODUCT and not an alcoholic beverage.
At Meal Time --
To assist the gastric juices of the stomach in the necessary process of fermentation, which we call digestion, take a wine glass of
Anheuser-Busch's Malt-Nutrine
Your physician will tell you, and you will find by test in your own case, that malts with meals, in moderate quantity,
not only increase appetite, or the desire to eat, but will aid materially in the digestion and assimilation of the food eaten.
Dyseptics, invalids and convalescents especailly are benefited.
Malt-Nutrine is a non-intoxicant; a scientific preparation of malt and hops that will give permanent benefit to both old and young.
Physicians and nurses endorse it. Druggists and grocers sell it.
Anheuser-Busch Brewing Ass'n, St. Louis, U.S.A.

http://www.bonkersinstitute.org/medshow/buschtonic.html

Starting in the late 1800s, many breweries produced "food tonics," malt beverages containing around 2% alcohol that were promoted as "food in liquid form," aiding in digestion, increasing appetite and aiding in sleep. "A boon to nursing mothers."
http://www.pharmacytechs.net/blog/old-school-medicine-ads

It's very commonly used to make homebrew as one of the basic ingredients along with hops and yeast.

The only difference, from the sound of it, was they were adding cod liver oil, most likely as a supplement to prevent rickets and other diseases common at the time.