Disease at the National?

[Jim Garrett]

Agreed, Jim!

A lot of deaths were probably due to such, but in the mid-19th Century, folk simply didn't know about bacteriological diseases. I bet a lot of what was described as "wasting disease" was actually caused by pure out and out contamination and filth....they simply didn't know and had no way of knowing.....

Technology marches on!

Think about "Tavern fare". It was what they had on hand and out. No modern refrigeration. Alot of smoked meats. You had better hope that the tavern might be busy. One never knew how long something would be sitting out.