Brompton cocktails is a term for a lethal mixture of drugs, typically used in palliative care. The word "Brompton" is derived from the Brompton Hospital in London, where the cocktail was first formulated. The pronunciation of "Brompton" is /ˈbrɒmptən/ with a short "o" sound in the first syllable and a silent "p" in the second. "Cocktail" is pronounced /ˈkɒk.teɪl/ with stress on the first syllable and a long "o" sound in the second. Therefore, the correct pronunciation of "Brompton cocktails" is /ˈbrɒmptən ˈkɒk.teɪlz/.
Brompton cocktails, also known as "paper-clip bombs," refer to a type of improvised explosive device (IED) created during World War II. This term emerged as an informal slang within the British Special Operations Executive (SOE), which was responsible for conducting covert operations against the Axis powers. The name "brompton cocktails" was derived from the Brompton Oratory, a well-known Catholic church located in London, England.
These improvised explosive devices were typically constructed using a glass bottle filled with highly explosive materials such as petrol (gasoline) or other flammable liquids, combined with a mixture of other substances like potassium chlorate and sugar. The mouth of the bottle was then sealed with a cork containing a wick, which could be ignited to initiate the explosion once thrown towards the target.
Brompton cocktails were mainly used by the SOE and other resistance fighters as a means of sabotage and disrupting enemy operations. They were designed to cause damage to infrastructure, vehicles, and personnel. Due to their simplicity and availability of materials, these makeshift bombs could be easily crafted in clandestine settings.
The term "brompton cocktails" has since been adopted in popular culture to refer to any makeshift or improvised explosive device. It highlights the resourcefulness and ingenuity of individuals or groups when confronted with limited resources, but also serves as a reminder of the destructive power associated with such volatile devices.
The term "Brompton cocktail" is a medical term that dates back to the early 20th century. It was named after the Brompton Hospital in London, England, where it was reportedly concocted.
The Brompton Hospital specialized in the treatment of tuberculosis, a deadly disease that was prevalent at the time. Patients suffering from advanced stages of tuberculosis often experienced severe pain, difficulty breathing, and other distressing symptoms.
To provide relief to these patients, doctors at Brompton Hospital developed a potent painkiller cocktail. The Brompton cocktail was a mixture of morphine or heroin, cocaine, alcohol, and sometimes other substances such as chloroform or ether. It was administered to alleviate pain and mitigate the distressing symptoms experienced by terminally ill patients.