Changes

On March 26, Harrison became ill with a [[common cold|cold]]. The presumptive story, which has become common knowledge despite its falsity, is that the inauguration day exposure was the cause of his illness. In fact, it was more than three weeks after the inauguration when Harrison began showing any sign at all of ill health, although the cold did worsen after Harrison was caught in a rain shower that day and rapidly turned to [[pneumonia]] and [[pleurisy]].<ref>Cleaves, Freeman. Old Tippecanoe: William Henry Harrison and His Time. New York: Scribner's, 1939</ref> (According to the prevailing medical misconception of the times, microorganisms being still unknown, it was believed that his illness was directly caused by the bad weather, when, in fact, he was likely a victim of the [[virus]] that causes the [[common cold]], exacerbated by the drastic pressures of his changing circumstances and the unceasing crush of office seekers.) He sought to rest in the White House, but could not find a quiet room because of the steady crowd of office seekers; in addition, his extremely busy social schedule made any rest time scarce.

On March 26, Harrison became ill with a [[common cold|cold]]. The presumptive story, which has become common knowledge despite its falsity, is that the inauguration day exposure was the cause of his illness. In fact, it was more than three weeks after the inauguration when Harrison began showing any sign at all of ill health, although the cold did worsen after Harrison was caught in a rain shower that day and rapidly turned to [[pneumonia]] and [[pleurisy]].<ref>Cleaves, Freeman. Old Tippecanoe: William Henry Harrison and His Time. New York: Scribner's, 1939</ref> (According to the prevailing medical misconception of the times, microorganisms being still unknown, it was believed that his illness was directly caused by the bad weather, when, in fact, he was likely a victim of the [[virus]] that causes the [[common cold]], exacerbated by the drastic pressures of his changing circumstances and the unceasing crush of office seekers.) He sought to rest in the White House, but could not find a quiet room because of the steady crowd of office seekers; in addition, his extremely busy social schedule made any rest time scarce.

[[Image:WmHHarrison-poster.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Poster of Harrison's accomplishments.]]

[[Image:WmHHarrison-poster.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Poster of Harrison's accomplishments.]][[Birth Date:=1773-02-09]][[Death Date:=1841-04-04]]

Harrison's doctors tried various methods to cure him, applying [[opium]], [[castor oil]], [[Virginia snakeweed]], and even actual [[snakes]]. But the treatments only made Harrison worse and he went into delirium. He died nine days after becoming ill,<ref>Cleaves, Freeman. Old Tippecanoe: William Henry Harrison and His Time. New York: Scribner's, 1939</ref> at 12:30 a.m., on [[April 4]], [[1841]], of right lower lobe [[pneumonia]], [[jaundice]], and overwhelming [[septicemia]], becoming the first American president to die in office. His last words were to his doctor, but assumed to be to John Tyler, "Sir, I wish you to understand the true principles of the government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more." Harrison served the shortest term of any American president: only 30 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes.

Harrison's doctors tried various methods to cure him, applying [[opium]], [[castor oil]], [[Virginia snakeweed]], and even actual [[snakes]]. But the treatments only made Harrison worse and he went into delirium. He died nine days after becoming ill,<ref>Cleaves, Freeman. Old Tippecanoe: William Henry Harrison and His Time. New York: Scribner's, 1939</ref> at 12:30 a.m., on [[April 4]], [[1841]], of right lower lobe [[pneumonia]], [[jaundice]], and overwhelming [[septicemia]], becoming the first American president to die in office. His last words were to his doctor, but assumed to be to John Tyler, "Sir, I wish you to understand the true principles of the government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more." Harrison served the shortest term of any American president: only 30 days, 12 hours and 30 minutes.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, William Henry}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harrison, William Henry}}

[[Category:First Families of Virginia]]

[[Category:First Families of Virginia]]

[[Category:Harrison family]]

[[Category:Harrison family]]

[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia]]

[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia]]

[[Category:Governors of Indiana Territory]]

[[Category:Governors of Indiana Territory]]