Jonathan --
    Someone here (Stockholm) gave me a very nice book about the big capsized ship, the Vasa, and its times (17th century).  It mentioned that a Swedish cure for dysentery at the time included "dragon's blood", which it said was the resin of a fruit, _calamus draco_, which grew in the Canary Islands.  I don't know if there's any connection with your "dragon's milk".  Maybe just that anything to do with dragons sounded powerful. 
    Another factoid is that the Canary Islands are the most populat resort destination for present-day Swedes.  No connection here, I'm almost sure!  Robin Room   

-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Highfield <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: den 31 december 1999 21:55
Subject: Dragon's Milk


>I am searching for the origin of the term dragon's milk. I know it is
>Scots slang for strong ale, but where does the phrase come from? Is the
>milk of dragon's supposed to have certain properties, prophectic or
>hallucinogenic? The phrase comes up in Peter Carey's novel ILLYWHACKER.
>
>Thank you for any assistance.
>
>Jonathan Highfield
>Rhode Island School of Design