How 18th-Century Medicine Killed George Washington

What is a major difference between medicine before the 1940s and modern medicine?

• Doctors always knew the exact cause of illnesses.

• Modern medicine uses antibiotics to treat infections that were once fatal.

• Old medicine relied heavily on advanced surgical techniques.

• Patients in the past rarely got sick.

How much blood was drained from George Washington over the course of one day?

• About 1 liter

• About 0.5 liters

• Almost 2.5 liters

• Less than 10% of his total blood

What ancient idea was bloodletting based on?

• The belief that illnesses were caused by evil spirits.

• The idea that health comes from a balance of bodily fluids called humors.

• The practice of using leeches to remove toxins.

• The theory that fresh air could cure any disease.

What is the modern medical diagnosis for the symptoms George Washington experienced, and how would it typically be treated today?

• Scarlet fever, treated with rest and fluids.

• Quinsy, treated by draining pus and applying cantharidin.

• Acute Epiglottitis, treated with antibiotics, corticosteroids, and possibly intubation.

• Dehydration, treated by increasing fluid intake.