Mount Vernon, Virginia – On December 14, 1799, George Washington, the first President of the United States, passed away at his home after a brief illness. His death was attributed to several possible causes, with modern medical experts debating the reasons behind his sudden illness and demise.
The former President fell ill after riding around his estate at Mount Vernon on a cold, wet day, and failed to change out of his damp clothes. His health quickly deteriorated, and he struggled to breathe or speak. Washington’s physicians proceeded to bleed him multiple times, resulting in a total blood loss of 40 percent, and administered various treatments, including gargling with molasses, vinegar, and butter, along with other unorthodox remedies.
Since his death, numerous theories have emerged regarding the cause of Washington’s rapid decline, ranging from croup and diphtheria to acute bacterial epiglottitis. The debate around the massive bloodletting and the overlooked suggestion of a tracheotomy as contributors to Washington’s death has also persisted.
In recent years, Dr. Howard Markel and Dr. David Morens have proposed different theories, with the latter suggesting that acute bacterial epiglottitis is the most likely cause, while others have pointed to inflammatory quinsy or a peritonsillar abscess. The medical treatments administered to Washington have also been scrutinized, with experts acknowledging the limitations of the medical practices of the time.
Washington’s untimely death continues to be a subject of interest for medical practitioners and historians, with ongoing debates surrounding the precise cause of his illness and the effectiveness of the treatments he received. Despite the numerous retrospective diagnoses, the exact reason for George Washington’s death in 1799 remains a mystery.