The flu

From Le Charivari, Paris, 1848:

View of a pharmacist shop in January 1848. “Each in turn, gentlemen, each in turn.”

“Well, my dear, it is impossible for me to pay you today; I have the flu.”

“Where are your men, lieutenant?”
“My commander, they’ve all gone to bed.”

“Just a few more bottles of my syrup, and I hope you’ll get better.”

At the show. General sneezing across the board.

“Come on, coachman, come on!”
“I can’t go any faster, sir, my horse has the flu.”

A mistress of the house has to eat alone a dinner prepared for forty people. (No doubt punning on “quarantine.”)

Acclimatization of Abd-el-Kader. (Algerian military leader then held captive by the French. Note the clystère in the background, a familiar French theme.)
“Cristi! This time here I am completely taken!”

Cholera does not come to France for fear of catching the flu there.