An alcoholic drink called octli was made from the fermented sap of the maguey plant. Aztec law was particularly severe towards drunkards, but some indulgence was shown towards old men and women on the grounds that ‘their blood was turning cold’, and they were allowed to drink octli, and even to get a little drunk, on certain holidays. At weddings and festivals there was a general dispensation and all persons over 30 years old were permitted to drink. In theory the ration was two goblets per person, but no doubt this rule was broken more often than it was observed. Porters and men engaged in heavy work were allowed to refresh themselves occasionally, and women were given octli as a tonic in the days immediately after childbirth.