What year did George Washington die, and why?

TabbyTom

On December 12, 1799, after riding on horseback for several hours in cold and snow, he returned home exhausted and was attacked late the next day with quinsy or acute laryngitis. He was bled heavily four times and given gargles of “molasses, vinegar and butter,” and a blister of cantharides (a preparation of dried beetles) was placed on his throat, his strength meanwhile rapidly sinking. He faced the end with characteristic serenity, saying, “I die hard, but I am not afraid to go,” and later: “I feel myself going. I thank you for your attentions; but I pray you to take no more trouble about me. Let me go off quietly. I cannot last long.” After giving instructions to his secretary, Tobias Lear, about his burial, he died at 10:00PM on December 14. Copied from Encyclopaedia Britannica (2005 CD-ROM edition) Feb 21 06, 6:41 PM

jj137

1799 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Washington Jul 11 07, 7:24 PM