History Matters Friday, February 17, 2023
Blood-letting and George Washington
Ancient Egyptians in 1000 BC did blood-letting to release evil. Ancient Greeks believed blood-letting released “bad humors”. In rural China, blood-letting was inseparable from acupuncture. In medieval Europe, blood-letting was done by barbers (non-physicians who also pulled teeth and did amputations). While time-honored in many different cultures, blood-letting became increasingly suspect after Charles II (1685) was bled to death by his physicians.
In the colonies (of what would be the United States) blood-letting was still very popular for everything from cholera, to seizures, to asthma to acne. The champion of blood-letting was the most famous American physician, Benjamin Rush MD, who was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence. But some of the popular tide was beginning to turn when a journalist, William Cobbler, charged Dr. Rush with medical malpractice for killing patients with blood-letting. The verdict for this very popular case was set for December 14, 1799.
George Washington, a robust 68 years old, had just retired at the beginning of December from being President. On December 13, 1799, Washington got a cold with hoarseness. He requested blood-letting from the overseer of the estate, Mr. Albin Rawlins, who took off one pint of blood (12-14 oz).
President Washington worsened (scholars today believe he may have had epiglottis). Physicians were called (Dr. Craik, Dr. Brown, and Dr. Dick). In addition to having ground up beetles applied to his throat to cause blistering, as well as calomel and tartar applied rectally, Washington was bled four more times over the next 12 hours, for a total of over 2.4 liters of blood! (the adult male is thought to have 5-6 Liters total blood volume). While George Washington was being bled to death by his physicians, Dr. Rush was undergoing trial—and found not guilty.
Up until 1880, even American medical giants like William Osler MD were advocating blood letting which were promoted in texts up until 1923! Dr. Dick (perhaps in response to guilt or prevention of law suit??) pushed Congress to create a national holiday to commemorate President Washington. Washington’s final wishes were a 3 day waiting before burial (fear of being buried while still alive was a prominent fear). Washington was buried in a lead coffin to prevent spread of any mortal disease that could cause an outbreak. Physicians killed the first President of the United States of America. And he is celebrated out of guilt.