We're less than one hour away from the moment 216 years ago that the father of our country passed away. This piece was put out today and details some modern thoughts as to how the General died.
From National Constitution Center....
On December 14, 1799, George Washington died at his home after a brief illness and after losing about 40 percent of his blood. So what killed the 67-year-old former President?
Different theories emerged. In 1917, one doctor theorized that Washington died from diphtheria, and a decade later, another theory arose that Washington suffered from “septic sore throat, probably of streptococcic origin, associated with acute edema of the larynx.”
But in recent years, a different theory emerged. Dr. Howard Markel, writing for PBS.com last year, summarized the findings, citing research from Dr. David Morens in the New England Journal of Medicine.
“In the 215 years since Washington died, several retrospective diagnoses have been offered ranging from croup, quinsy, Ludwig’s angina, Vincent’s angina, diphtheria, and streptococcal throat infection to acute pneumonia. But Dr. Morens’s suggestion of acute bacterial epiglottitisseems most likely,” said Markel.
Not everyone agrees with that theory, with inflammatory quinsy, or a peritonsillar abscess, as another possible killer.
“However none of these diagnoses quite fit the description of Washington’s terminal illness but on the other hand acute epiglottitis does explain all of his symptoms and his demise. His illness is a classic ‘textbook’ case of acute epiglottitis,” wrote Dr. White McKenzie Wallenborn, for the University of Virginia back in 1997.
Another debate has centered on the massive blood letting and the ignored suggestion of a tracheotomy as possible main contributors to Washington’s death. Morens said back in 1999 that the bloodletting likely didn’t kill a man of Washington’s size, and the little-used tracheotomy was only occasionally successful.
“The truth of the matter is that they did the best they could, against a pathologically implacable foe, using now antiquated and discredited theories of medical practice,” Markel said.
It's all a myth! After all he's right here with us on the HHV thread. I read that too Bronze. He had been out in very bad weather and apparently didn't change out of his wet clothes because it would make him late for a banquet or other official function. Supposedly the doctors drained 40% of his blood Chak, to no avail. Sounds like the poor chap's airway was compromised. Or maybe he got pneumonia and basically drowned. A sad sad day for the western world.