UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Maladies and Conditions

This style... ... means the event occurred while President.



multiple serious infections Although Washington was physically strong, he was not the indomitable human force that popular history paints. He was often sick, particularly with infections. These were serious infections, many of them life-threatening. The table below is an overview 2a . The rest of this page has details about each illness. Age Year Disease

--- ---- -------

?? ???? diphtheria 3

17 1749 malaria

19 1751 smallpox

19 1751 tuberculosis

30 1752 malaria

33 1755 dysentery (+)

35 1757 dysentery (*)

35 1757 tuberculosis (*)

39 1761 malaria (**)

39 1761 dysentery (**)

Age Year Disease

--- ---- -------

47 1779 quinsy

52 1784 malaria

57 1789 carbuncle

58 1790 pneumonia

59 1791 carbuncle

66 1798 malaria

67 1799 epiglottitis[?] + = multiple episodes

* = simultaneous illnesses

* * = simultaneous illnesses

It was fortunate for the country that Washington's health was comparatively good during the Revolutionary War (1776-1783). It was fortunate for the country that Washington's health was comparatively good during the Revolutionary War (1776-1783).



malaria From the age of 17 to almost the end of his life, Washington had recurrent attacks of malaria. Malaria was then common in Virginia. Interestingly, an effective treatment for malaria had been discovered in the previous century. But for some reason, Washington did not receive the treatment until 1784, when he was in his 50s 2b MORE . To add to the mystery, soldiers in the Revolutionary Army were treated for malaria as early as 1776 2c



smallpox 4a. At age 19 Washington and his half-brother Lawrence spent time on the island of Barbados, hoping the climate would benefit Lawrence. Lawrence was ill with tuberculosis. Around this time George developed a severe case of smallpox, which ultimately left his skin scarred for life 2d Later, as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in the 1770s, Washington took an unprecedented step by insisting that no recruit could join the army until vaccinated against smallpox 6a MORE. Later, as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in the 1770s, Washington took an unprecedented step by insisting that no recruit could join the army until vaccinated against smallpox 4b



tuberculosis Shortly after returning to Mount Vernon from Barbados, Washington developed tuberculosis. (Tuberculous pleurisy, to be precise.) This, no doubt, he caught from Lawrence. It occurred soon after the smallpox. Washington took two years to recover fully. 2d He had another episode of fever and pleurisy at age 25, in conjunction with an attack of dysentery 2e It has been proposed that tuberculosis of the vas deferens caused Washington's sterility (below) and that tuberculosis of the gut caused his multiple episodes of bloody diarrhea (below) It has been proposed that tuberculosis of the vas deferens caused Washington's sterility (below) and that tuberculosis of the gut caused his multiple episodes of bloody diarrhea (below) 7



diphtheria Washington "had also apparently had diphtheria" 3



muscular The US National Archives 8 reports "An often quoted description of GW ... of uncertain authenticity is said to come from a letter written by George Mercer in 1760" and gives the text of the letter: He may be described as being straight as an Indian, measuring 6 feet 2 inches in his stockings, and weighing 175 lbs when he took his seat in the House of Burgesses in 1759. His frame is padded with well developed muscles, indicating great strength. His bones and joints are large as are his hands and feet. He is wide shouldered but has not a deep or round chest; is neat waisted, but is broad across the hips, and has rather long legs and arms. His head is well shaped, though not large, but is gracefully poised on a superb neck. A large and straight rather than a prominent nose; blue-grey penetrating eyes which are widely separated and overhung by a heavy brow. His face is long rather than broad, with high round cheek bones, and terminates in a good firm chin. He has a clear tho rather colorless pale skin which burns with the sun. A pleasing and benevolent tho a commanding countenance, dark brown hair which he wears in a cue. His mouth is large and generally firmly closed, but which from time to time discloses some defective teeth. His features are regular and placid with all the muscles of his face under perfect control, tho flexible and expressive of deep feeling when moved by emotions. In conversation he looks you full in the face, is deliberate, deferential and engaging. His demeanor at all times composed and dignified. His movements and gestures are graceful, his walk majestic, and he is a splendid horseman. He may be described as being straight as an Indian, measuring 6 feet 2 inches in his stockings, and weighing 175 lbs when he took his seat in the House of Burgesses in 1759. His frame is padded with well developed muscles, indicating great strength. His bones and joints are large as are his hands and feet. He is wide shouldered but has not a deep or round chest; is neat waisted, but is broad across the hips, and has rather long legs and arms. His head is well shaped, though not large, but is gracefully poised on a superb neck. A large and straight rather than a prominent nose; blue-grey penetrating eyes which are widely separated and overhung by a heavy brow. His face is long rather than broad, with high round cheek bones, and terminates in a good firm chin. He has a clear tho rather colorless pale skin which burns with the sun. A pleasing and benevolent tho a commanding countenance, dark brown hair which he wears in a cue. His mouth is large and generally firmly closed, but which from time to time discloses some defective teeth. His features are regular and placid with all the muscles of his face under perfect control, tho flexible and expressive of deep feeling when moved by emotions. In conversation he looks you full in the face, is deliberate, deferential and engaging. His demeanor at all times composed and dignified. His movements and gestures are graceful, his walk majestic, and he is a splendid horseman.



height MORE. "Very tall for his generation -- over six feet -- with reddish hair and gray-blue eyes, his face massive, his shoulders narrow for his height but his hands and feet tremendous, George exuded such masculine power as frightens young women just wakening to the opposite sex." His half-brother was rather short 4a After his death, Washington's frozen corpse was measured as 6 feet 3.5 inches in length After his death, Washington's frozen corpse was measured as 6 feet 3.5 inches in length 3a . The body was 1 foot 9 inches across at the shoulders and at the elbows. Another reference cites Washington as 6 feet 2 inches tall 9a



recurrent dysentery In 1755 Washington, then 23, was aide to British General Edmond Braddock, who was to lead an expedition against the French in Pennsylvania. But, as the army began its 100-mile trek from Virginia, Washington was ordered to stay behind because he developed severe dysentery 2f . Ultimately, he followed, riding painfully in a wagon, and caught up with the army near Fort Duquesne (present-day Pittsburgh) on July 8 4c On July 9, "the most catastrophic [day] in all Anglo-American history," Washington was so ill that he had to tie pillows to his saddle in order to ride his horse. As the army rode through a 12-foot-wide road cleared through the thick woods, the French and their Indian allies engaged the English, firing unseen from the surrounding trees. The English regulars, accustomed to fighting on open ground in formation, panicked, and the carnage began. "Braddock indignantly denied Washington's request to lead troops into the woods and `engage the enemy in their own way'" On July 9, "the most catastrophic [day] in all Anglo-American history," Washington was so ill that he had to tie pillows to his saddle in order to ride his horse. As the army rode through a 12-foot-wide road cleared through the thick woods, the French and their Indian allies engaged the English, firing unseen from the surrounding trees. The English regulars, accustomed to fighting on open ground in formation, panicked, and the carnage began. "Braddock indignantly denied Washington's request to lead troops into the woods and `engage the enemy in their own way'" 4c The officers, perfect targets atop their horses, went down in succession. Washington had two horses shot out from under him. Braddock crumpled. Washington's hat was shot off. Bullets tore his coat. Washington was left as the only person able to distribute the wounded general's orders, and led the retreat. Somehow Washington was then able to ride 40 miles through darkness to summon reinforcements, though he occasionally had to crawl on his hands and knees to find the road. He later admitted that the ride left him "in a manner wholly unfit for the execution of the duty" The officers, perfect targets atop their horses, went down in succession. Washington had two horses shot out from under him. Braddock crumpled. Washington's hat was shot off. Bullets tore his coat. Washington was left as the only person able to distribute the wounded general's orders, and led the retreat. Somehow Washington was then able to ride 40 miles through darkness to summon reinforcements, though he occasionally had to crawl on his hands and knees to find the road. He later admitted that the ride left him "in a manner wholly unfit for the execution of the duty" 4c Braddock died, and Washington staggered home to Mount Vernon on July 25, "weak and feeble" Braddock died, and Washington staggered home to Mount Vernon on July 25, "weak and feeble" 4c . He continued to have attacks of fever and dysentery the rest of the year. In 1757 he had a severe recurrence of dysentery, accompanied by fever and pleurisy. He became "acutely and dangerously" ill from dysentery (and malaria) in 1761 2e . Less severe attacks continued 2c Tuberculosis of the gut has been blamed for these episodes of "dysentery" Tuberculosis of the gut has been blamed for these episodes of "dysentery" 7



"gloomy apprehensions" Washington had a tendency to become depressed when ill 2g . He was haunted by premonitions of death, perhaps because his father and half-brother Lawrence both died prematurely. Thomas Jefferson wrote that Washington was, in all aspects of his life, "inclined to gloomy apprehensions" 2c



quinsy While the revolutionary army was camped at Morristown, New Jersey in spring 1779, Washington developed a severe attack of quinsy (an abscess of the tonsils). "He was so weak and feverish that he feared for his own survival. He instructed General Nathaniel Green to take over if he failed to survive" 2h



sterile it could well be concluded that the difficulty was not in her but in her husband. However, [Washington,] the magnificent athlete, who possessed in abundance every other physical prowess, could not altogether admit to himself that he was sterile. He believed, even when approaching old age, that if Martha died and he became remarried to a "girl," he might father an heir. In the meanwhile, his lack was a grievous one. 4d Given the way the Custis children turned out accept an offer of Kingship Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759. He was 26. She was a 28 year old widow who had borne four children during her eight year marriage to Daniel Custis 10a . Yet Martha never became pregnant during her 40-year marriage to Washington. Given her previous fertility,Given the way the Custis children turned out MORE , Washington may have been lucky. The United States may have been lucky, too. The lack of an heir made it difficult to anoint Washington as King, which some elements favored at the time 11a . There is speculation that the lack of an heir made it difficult for Washington toan offer of Kingship 9b Washington's height, sterility, large hands, pockmarks, plus certain personality features and even his dental problems have led to the suggestion he had a syndrome associated with an XYY chromosome karyotype Washington's height, sterility, large hands, pockmarks, plus certain personality features and even his dental problems have led to the suggestion he had a syndrome associated with an XYY chromosome karyotype 9c . A geneticist concludes, however, "although there does seem to be a strong case that George Washington was affected with XYY syndrome, the evidence is just not conclusive" 9b . There are also speculations 12 -- dismissed by some 7 -- that Washington had Klinefelter syndrome, which is associated with an XXY karyotype. At least one historian believes that Martha was the cause of the marriage's childlessness 13 , but his reasoning is unsupported and arrogant MORE



snored Reliability of this information is uncertain. 14



presbyopia 4f. Presbyopia (the need for reading glasses) affects all humans as they age. Presidents are no exception. An argument can be made, however, that Washington's presbyopia saved the United States of America MORE



deafness Washington's hearing worsened in 1789 to the point where he could not hear ordinary conversation 15



pneumonia Washington almost died of pneumonia in 1790. He was unable to function as Chief Executive for several weeks. 16a



skin lesion I have, myself, experienced the fruits of his skill, in this art; being cured by him of an irritable spot on my right cheek which had for years been increasing in pricking and disagreeable sensations; and in June last assumed the decided character of a Cancer; of which I was perfectly relieved by Doctr. Tate in about two months by an easy course, under the operation of which I felt no confinement, or other inconvenience at that time, nor any injury to my constitution since. 17 Modern commentators speculate that the lesion might have been an actinic keratosis which underwent an acute solar degeneration. They also speculate that the treatment was most likely repeated application of an escharotic or paste. On February 25, 1795 Washington wrote a testimonial letter on behalf of a Dr. James Tate. The letter described a skin lesion that Tate had treated:Modern commentators speculate that the lesion might have been an actinic keratosis which underwent an acute solar degeneration. They also speculate that the treatment was most likely repeated application of an escharotic or paste. 17



teeth By middle age Washington had no teeth left. But he did have several sets of dentures, made from such materials as hippopotamus ivory, seahorse ivory, and lead. Other sets used the teeth of pigs, cows, elks, and humans 2i MORE . Paul Revere made him a set of false teeth 18a . There is a set of Washington dentures in the University of Maryland Dental Museum in Baltimore 19 Washington's clumsy, ill-fitting dentures distorted his lips. This contributed to the dour expression Washington has in various portraits Washington's clumsy, ill-fitting dentures distorted his lips. This contributed to the dour expression Washington has in various portraits 2j . Also, painter Gilbert Stuart disliked Washington and accentuated the distortion in what became the most famous of all Washington portraits 11b . The Peale portrait of 1776 shows a long scar along Washington's left cheek. This resulted from an incision to treat an abscessed tooth 2j



epiglottitis, doctors No one is quite sure what killed Washington. He was in fine health at age 67 when he contracted hoarseness and a sore throat a few days after helping to move a snow-mired carriage near his home. There was little alarm until he awoke in the middle of the night with difficulty breathing, almost unable to talk. A doctor was summoned, but Washington did not wait, ordering an employee to bleed him. The doctor arrived and, according to the principles of the day, bled him again. Eventually, Washington requested no further bleeding be performed, but he was bled again anyway. First suggested in 1838, most authorities today believe Washington's final illness was acute bacterial epiglottitis First suggested in 1838, most authorities today believe Washington's final illness was acute bacterial epiglottitis 3 -- an infection of the small tissue flap that plugs the entrance to the lungs during swallowing. Since the invention of antibiotics, this infection has become rare, but even now its occurrence is exceedingly serious. When the epiglottis swells (as it will do in response to an infection) it can block airflow into the lungs -- an obviously fatal outcome. The bleedings inflicted by Washington's doctors hastened his end. Some 80 ounces of blood were removed in 12 hours The bleedings inflicted by Washington's doctors hastened his end. Some 80 ounces of blood were removed in 12 hours 3 (this is .63 gallons, or about 35% of all the blood in his body). A British physician of the era, John Reid, estimated that up to 90 ounces had been removed, and sarcastically remarked that the "current of blood" drained from Washington reflected the mighty currents of American rivers. A British physician of the era, John Reid, estimated that up to 90 ounces had been removed, and sarcastically remarked that the "current of blood" drained from Washington reflected the mighty currents of American rivers. 20 ! Reid also criticized the heavy dosing of calomel plus the administration of emetics, vinegar vapors, and blistering to a man in his late 60s. One of the three doctors atteding Washington, Elisha Cullen Dick, objected to continued bleeding, arguing instead for tracheotomy. Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure recognized today as potentially life-saving in epiglottitis, but was then almost unworkable. Dick was overruled by the senior physician, James Craik. "Undoubtedly, the specter of failure with a grisly, painful (in the absence of anesthesia), and untried surgical experiment on the former president weighed heavily in Craik's decision to veto this radical suggestion" One of the three doctors atteding Washington, Elisha Cullen Dick, objected to continued bleeding, arguing instead for tracheotomy. Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure recognized today as potentially life-saving in epiglottitis, but was then almost unworkable. Dick was overruled by the senior physician, James Craik. "Undoubtedly, the specter of failure with a grisly, painful (in the absence of anesthesia), and untried surgical experiment on the former president weighed heavily in Craik's decision to veto this radical suggestion" 3 . (It should also be remembered that "former president" does not begin to describe Washington's stature. He was the most famous man in the world, for 20 years the pre-eminent man in American life, and was held in almost religious esteem by his countrymen.) A detailed description of Washington's agonizing final hours survives A detailed description of Washington's agonizing final hours survives MORE