Mount Vernon, Virginia – On December 14, 1799, George Washington, the first President of the United States, passed away at his home after falling ill. At the time, the cause of death was a subject of speculation, with modern medical experts continuing to debate the reasons behind his sudden demise.
Contemporary accounts indicate that Washington had been in good health just two days before his passing. However, after riding around his estate in unpleasant weather, he fell ill and complained of difficulty breathing. He was treated by doctors who proceeded to bleed him several times, resulting in a total blood loss of 40 percent. Despite various treatments, Washington passed away within a 21-hour period, leaving behind unfinished business and questions about the true cause of his death.
Medical practitioners at the time initially attributed Washington’s death to cynanche trachealis, commonly known as croup. However, over the years, different theories have emerged, each offering a different perspective on his illness and ultimate demise. Some believe that acute bacterial epiglottitis seems the most likely cause, while others have suggested inflammatory quinsy, or a peritonsillar abscess, as another possible killer. The extensive bloodletting and the dismissal of the suggestion of a tracheotomy have also sparked debates on their potential roles in Washington’s death.
The circumstances surrounding George Washington’s death have continued to fascinate historians and medical experts alike. While no definitive answer has emerged, the mystery behind the passing of the former President remains an area of interest and speculation in the medical community to this day.
In summary, the cause of George Washington’s sudden illness and death in 1799 has been a subject of much debate among medical experts and historians. Multiple theories have emerged over the years, including acute bacterial epiglottitis and inflammatory quinsy, each offering a different perspective on the events leading to his demise. The extensive bloodletting performed by doctors, as well as the dismissal of the suggestion of a tracheotomy, have also been subjects of ongoing discussions in the medical community.