Faster liquid consumption in the desert...?

[Axlrose]

While reading Stormlord's "Do you remember:" thread, am I remembering correctly or am I delusional, but I thought the early version of the game had the desert zones of North Ro, Oasis, and South Ro have the player consume liquids at a faster rate - perhaps twice as fast as they normally would? I remember when I first adventured out there (so far away from Freeport), that I stocked up on even amounts of drink and food. Eventually I would be thirsty while still retaining food and other players mentioned that was the effects of the zone on players. Thus why Desert Madmen and Madmen carried supplies of water - they were so delirious in thirst that they forget they had drink!

I could be wrong, though.

Thanks!