PRESIDENT HARDING RECOVERING FROM THE GRIPPE
Washington, D.C. (JFK+5o) On January 18, 1923, President Warren G. Harding "was feeling better" after "suffering from an attack of the grippe*."
The Seattle Star reports the President was not expected in the office today but would be doing "some work in his study."
Mr. Harding spent most of January 17th in bed and retired early. The Star says that "the extra rest has brought a general improvement."
JFK+50 NOTE
According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, influenza is a contagious viral infection which can lead to life-threatening complications. The disease is spread by coughing & sneezing, or touching a contaminated surface. A yearly dose of the flu vaccine is recommended in the fall.
*Grippe (French for influenza) was first used in 1776 & is an old-fashioned word for the flu--a virus characterized by fever, sore throat and headaches. Victims of the virus are urged to spend the day in bed drinking tea.
SOURCES
"Flu," National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, www.nfid.org/
"Harding Condition Announced Better," The Seattle Star, Seattle, Washington, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
