Epidemic

An epidemic is an infectious disease that becomes a widespread occurrence in community at a particular time. Hugh Curbishley claimed to have been confined to a wheelchair as a result of "that flu epidemic back in '18."

Hugh later confessed to this being a lie and stated that he pretended to be confined to a wheelchair as he thought that his wife was going to leave him. By keeping up the pretence, Clemency remained by his side. (TV: The Unicorn and the Wasp)