In reading a booklet of memories from my Great-Grandmother, she mentioned that when the pioneers came west, there would be "whole families lying on the ground shaking. Not to worry, it was just the Ager..." What were these shakes? What condition caused them? Many thanks! Polley Lawrence Roswell, GA

It sounds like a description of ague, or fever, such as that experienced with malaria. The term was usually used to describe alternating chills and fever as is often seen with influenza. As most forms of influenza are non-lethal in reasonably healthy adults, it was probably not a big worry to that hardy pioneer stock. Bill Morgan Kansas City ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 20, 2000 8:09 PM Subject: [ILMONTGO] What were the "Illinois shakes?" > In reading a booklet of memories from my Great-Grandmother, she mentioned > that when the pioneers came west, there would be "whole families lying on the > ground shaking. Not to worry, it was just the Ager..." What were these > shakes? What condition caused them? > > Many thanks! > Polley Lawrence > Roswell, GA > > > ==== ILMONTGO Mailing List ==== > Visit the Montgomery County USGenWeb Home Page! > http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cabin/3648/montgo2.html > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB > >