Mary Anne suffered greatly from ailments, or so it would seem from her complaints. At this time, 'neuralgia' was the name for her affliction, though it is uncertain if she was not suffering from something much worse, as she eventually died of cancer.

On Dec. 28th, 1859, Disraeli writes to William Jolliffe, "My wife, alas! is very unwell. Her great anxiety [presumably over Sarah's illness and death] brought on, about a fortnight ago, a neuralgic, or sciatic, attack" (DD/HY C/2165).

Sarah was never one to complain of her illness, despite the Victorian fashion of complaining. Notice in the letters how often Mary Anne's health is mentioned, though the letters were written with regards to Sarah's fatal illness.