George Washington was often concerned he would die young. His father died at 48 and his favorite sibling, Lawrence, was only in his early thirties when he passed away.
Many of Washington’s siblings died even younger than Lawrence, including his sister Mildred who was three and half-sister Jane who lived about 12 years. During the 18th century, men of Washington’s class lived on average to their late forties or early fifties whereas women were at much greater risk due to pregnancy and often did not live as long.1
To try to prevent an early death, Washington exercised, ate and drank moderately, attempted to get enough sleep, and avoided tobacco.2 Even with these healthy habits, Washington was afflicted with a number of serious illnesses, but he did live to be 67.
18th-Century Medicine
Medicine during the 18th century was significantly different from today. Germs, infections, diseases, and the importance of sanitation were not understood, which often meant that only symptoms were treated. Injuries or illness that would seem minor today could easily result in death. As the primary caregiver, women were usually knowledgeable in some 18th-century medicine from creating rubs and herbal remedies to delivering babies.3 There were also a number of common treatments often performed without doctors, including bloodletting, purging, blistering, and sweating.4
Washington tried to educate himself on health and medicine. In his library at the time of his death, there were nine medical books.5 Washington also ordered a number of drugs from England. His order in 1759 included:
6 Bottles Turlingtons Balsam
8 Oz. Spirit of Lavender
1/2 lb. Ipecacuane powderd
1/2 lb. Jallop powderd
12 Oz. Venice Treacle
4 Oz. best Rhubarb
12 Oz. Diascordium
4 lb. Pearle Barley
4 Oz. Balsam Capevi
5 Oz. Liquod Laudanum
5 Oz. Spirits Hartshorn
4 Oz. Spanish Flies
3 lb. Bird Lyme
6 lb. Oyl Turpentine
2 lb. Linseed Oyl—cold drawn
4 lb. Allam
1 lb. Spirma Citi
4 Oz. Tincture of Myrrh
4 Oz. Balsum Sulpher
4 Oz. Pulvus Basilic
2 Oz. Mer. Dulcis
4 Oz. Salvolatile
10 lb. Hartshorne Shaving
2 Quarts strong Cinamon Water6
Find out what each treated
Washington frequently ordered bark, which came from the bark of a cinchona tree and was used to treat fevers. Bark became a favorite of Washington to treat malarial fevers, which he experienced many times.7