What did Aunt Bertha die from?

[Drew Dowdell]

If you have the same publication that I got this trivia from, please sit this one out.

Tom and Ray looked forward to Xmas visits from Aunt Bertha. She always gave them the same present; two pairs of hand-knitted wool socks.

Just before Christmas, 1951, they learned Aunt Bertha would not be coming. A few days later she passed away. The official cause of death was very common in 1951, but Aunt Bertha may have been it's last victim. After that year, no one died of this particular affliction.

What was it?

[Z-06]

Tom and Ray? Are you talking about the Car Talk brethren?

Old Age. CDC used it as a common cause which was later written off from the language in the death certificates starting 1952.

[ocnblu]

I'm going to guess... autoerotic asphyxiation? Run over by a reindeer? WHAT?

[trinacriabob]

I'm going to guess polio. One of the Presidents, or his wife, was afflicted by it in the 1940s...IIRC.

[Camino LS6]

FDR had polio prior to his presidency.