Post Reports

Retropolis: The presidential inauguration that made everyone sick

Jan 18, 2025

Petula Dvorak, a columnist for Retropolis at the Washington Post, delves into the bizarre events surrounding James Buchanan's 1857 inauguration. She uncovers the mystery of a gastrointestinal outbreak known as the National Hotel Disease, which struck Buchanan and over 400 guests. Dvorak explores the eerie conspiracy theories circling the illness and reflects on how it influenced presidential leadership. The tale also dives into the hotel's storied past, hinting at future connections to infamous historical figures like John Wilkes Booth.

10:36

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Petula Dvorak

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Quick takeaways

The mysterious National Hotel Disease during Buchanan's inauguration exemplified how political tension and health crises intertwined, fueling conspiracy theories in a divided nation.

Investigations into the illness revealed public health challenges of the era, showcasing the limited understanding of disease transmission and sanitation issues in 19th century Washington D.C.

Deep dives

The Mystery of the National Hotel Disease

The inauguration of President-elect James Buchanan in 1857 was marred by a mysterious illness that afflicted him and many guests at the National Hotel, leading to widespread speculation of a conspiracy to poison him. This illness, dubbed the National Hotel Disease, produced gastrointestinal distress that affected hundreds during the inauguration. Reports suggested that there might have been an attempt on Buchanan's life, as a newspaper speculated that he and his entourage were poisoned, exacerbating tensions in a divided nation on the brink of civil war. The case reflects how quickly rumors and conspiracy theories flourished in the political climate of the time, illustrating the intersection of health crises and political intrigue in American history.

The Enigmatic National Hotel Disease of Buchanan's Inauguration

10min

The Impact of Illness on Presidential Leadership and Historical Connections

2min

In this special episode of “Post Reports,” columnist Petula Dvorak reads her first installment of The Post’s revealing history column, Retropolis.

James Buchanan barely won the presidency. The nation was roiling in the debate over slavery. So when Buchanan became gravely ill before his inaugural address, it wasn’t a stretch to suspect an assassination attempt. The presidential entourage all stayed at the posh National Hotel on Capitol Hill and they fell ill, too. It hit more than 400 guests of the hotel and more than 30 died. It became known as the mysterious National Hotel Disease and confounded Washington for months.

This column details the story of the sickness and the doctors and detectives who searched for the cause.

The piece was reported, written and read by Petula Dvorak. Audio production and original music by Bishop Sand.

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Post Reports

Retropolis: The presidential inauguration that made everyone sick

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Mystery of the National Hotel Disease

Scientific Exploration and Misunderstanding of Disease

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts