Lincoln and smallpox
Shortly after delivering the Gettysburg Address, President Lincoln suffered weakness, fever, and headache on the train back to Washington. Within a few days he developed lesions. Medical historians assert that Lincoln had smallpox, which sickened him for almost four weeks. Lincoln, however, recovered though his valet caught the disease and died. It is unknown whether or not this is completely true but is speculated.
"Vaccine Timeline." History of Vaccines. N.p., n.p. Web. 9 Mar. 2014. <http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/timelines/ >.
"Vaccine Timeline." History of Vaccines. N.p., n.p. Web. 9 Mar. 2014. <http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/timelines/ >.