The Death of George Washington (1732–99) and the History of Cynanche

Abstract

George Washington died in the winter of 1799 from acute epiglottitis during an epidemic of influenza. The details of the illness were fully recorded by his secretary, Tobias Lear, and this is the first published description in English of this condition. An account is given of the medical treatment and controversies that arose in criticism of the attendant doctors.