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edhopper

(35,371 posts)
Mon Jan 20, 2025, 06:06 PM Jan 20

William Henry Harrison did not die because it was cold

It's the 21st Century people, we don't think illness is caused by bad humors. We don't bleed people or use leeches. (Well, we shouldn't)
Pneumonia is caused by an infection in the lungs, bacterial or viral. It is transmitted by another person, not cold air. In the 1840s, there was no way to fight it and most died. It was a leading cause of death.
What you get from the cold is frost bite and hypothermia. Not Pneumonia.
Harrison was inaugurated on March 4th. He developed a cold on March 26st and died April 4th. It was 48 degrees during his inauguration.
TSF is much more at risk in a crowded Capitol than outside.

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William Henry Harrison did not die because it was cold (Original Post) edhopper Jan 20 OP
Yes Mountainguy Jan 20 #1
Extended periods of being cold can weaken the immune system. Irish_Dem Jan 20 #2
He got sick edhopper Jan 20 #6
Within days, he had a cold, which developed into pneumonia. elleng Jan 20 #3
It was 3 weeks later edhopper Jan 20 #8
He took the oath of office on Thursday, March 4, 1841, a cold and wet day.[104] elleng Jan 20 #12
But it wasn't from his speech ITAL Jan 20 #15
Whatever it was, seems he really went through a siege. elleng Jan 20 #16
This is correct Renew Deal Jan 20 #4
He's also OLD... 2naSalit Jan 20 #5
68 edhopper Jan 20 #9
Oops... 2naSalit Jan 20 #11
He did not get sick until three weeks later. It wasn't that cold either because he got sick on Mar 24th. LeftInTX Jan 20 #7
People forget edhopper Jan 20 #10
Thank you! Kid Berwyn Jan 20 #13
Tippecanoe Blue Full Moon Jan 20 #14
And Tyler too? edhopper Jan 20 #17
I addressed this in a thread about a week ago Wiz Imp Jan 20 #18
Great minds edhopper Jan 20 #19
They finally figured out the right way to use leeches jmowreader Jan 20 #20
the sentiment is correct bigtree Jan 20 #21

elleng

(138,048 posts)
3. Within days, he had a cold, which developed into pneumonia.
Mon Jan 20, 2025, 06:17 PM
Jan 20

Doctors were called in, but their medical practices were crude: heated suction cups, for one thing.

elleng

(138,048 posts)
12. He took the oath of office on Thursday, March 4, 1841, a cold and wet day.[104]
Mon Jan 20, 2025, 06:43 PM
Jan 20

He braved the chilly weathe the grand ceremony, and then delivered the longest inaugural address in American history[104] at 8,445 words. It took him nearly two hours to read. . .

Following the speech, he rode through the streets in the inaugural parade,[104] stood in a three-hour receiving line at the White House, and attended three inaugural balls that evening,[109] including one at Carusi's Saloon entitled the "Tippecanoe" ball with 1,000 guests who had paid $10 per person (equal to $312 in 2021). . .

Harrison had been physically worn down by many persistent office seekers and a demanding social schedule.[108] On Wednesday, March 24, 1841, Harrison took his daily morning walk to local markets, without a coat or hat. Despite being caught in a sudden rainstorm, he did not change his wet clothes upon return to the White House.[120] On Friday, March 26, Harrison became ill with cold-like symptoms and sent for his doctor . . .

The next day, Saturday, the doctor was called again, and arrived to find Harrison in bed with a "severe chill", after taking another early morning walk. Miller applied mustard plaster to his stomach and gave him a mild laxative, and he felt better that afternoon.[120] At 4:00 a.m. Sunday, March 28, Harrison developed severe pain in the side and the doctor initiated bloodletting; the procedure was terminated when there was a drop in his pulse rate. Miller also applied heated cups to the president's skin to enhance blood flow.[120] The doctor then gave him castor oil and medicines to induce vomiting, and diagnosed him with pneumonia in the right lung.[120] A team of doctors was called in Monday, March 29, and they confirmed right lower lobe pneumonia.[121] Harrison was then administered laudanum, opium, and camphor, along with wine and brandy.[122] . . .

In the evening of Saturday, April 3, Harrison developed severe diarrhea and became delirious, and at 8:30 p.m. he uttered his last words, to his attending doctor, assumed to be for Vice President John Tyler:[120] "Sir, I wish you to understand the true principles of the government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more."[123] Harrison died at 12:30 a.m. on April 4, 1841, Palm Sunday, nine days after becoming ill and exactly one month after taking the oath of office;[120] he was the first president to die in office.[121]'

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Henry_Harrison

WHEW!!!

ITAL

(961 posts)
15. But it wasn't from his speech
Mon Jan 20, 2025, 06:51 PM
Jan 20

There are numerous reports of him seeming strong and healthy for his first couple of weeks. He eventually became ill, but it's not even clear what got him was pneumonia. Many medical historians now think it was typhoid fever from the water supply.

LeftInTX

(32,231 posts)
7. He did not get sick until three weeks later. It wasn't that cold either because he got sick on Mar 24th.
Mon Jan 20, 2025, 06:23 PM
Jan 20

He had gotten all wet in the rain and refused to change his clothes. He had possible typhoid and then developed pneumonia. He had horrible diarrhea and symptoms of septic shock. I'm surprised they did not do an autopsy on him.

Tyler developed cholera-like symptoms while in office.

President Taylor suffered a similar fate sans getting wet. He died in office.

Buchanan almost didn't make it to his inauguration due to "cholera-like" symptoms.


DC was drinking sewage contaminated water. I think the problem was fixed after the Civil War.

jmowreader

(51,834 posts)
20. They finally figured out the right way to use leeches
Mon Jan 20, 2025, 08:46 PM
Jan 20

The humble leech was once used for bloodletting - it was more dignified to get leeches put on you than to get cut so the blood would run out. This did not work. Now they use them for stimulating blood flow after microsurgery, and they work wonders.

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