“On Thursday, December 12, 1799, George Washington was out on horseback supervising farming activities from late morning until three in the afternoon. The weather shifted from light snow to hail and then to rain. Upon Washington’s return it was suggested that he change out of his wet riding clothes before dinner. Known for his punctuality, Washington chose to remain in his damp attire. These events are speculated to contribute to the cause of Washington’s death.
“The next morning brought three inches of snow and a sore throat. Despite feeling unwell, Washington went to the hanging wood area on the east side of the Mansion after the weather cleared to select trees for removal … Throughout the day it was observed that Washington’s voice became increasingly hoarser…
“After retiring for the night, Washington awoke in terrible discomfort at around two in the morning… Martha sent for Tobias Lear (Washington’s secretary) who rushed to the room. There he found Washington in bed having difficulty breathing. Lear sent for George Rawlins, an overseer at Mount Vernon, who at the request of George Washington bled him. Lear also sent to Alexandria for Dr. James Craik…
“While waiting for Dr. Craik’s arrival, Rawlins extracted a half-pint of blood…Washington was also given a mixture of molasses, butter, and vinegar to soothe his throat. This mixture was difficult to swallow causing Washington to convulse and nearly suffocate.
“As the morning progressed Washington did not feel any relief. Martha requested …a second doctor, Dr. Gustavus Brown of Port Tobacco…Dr. Craik arrived at nine in the morning, examined Washington, and produced a blister on his throat in an attempt to balance the fluids in Washington’s body. Craik bled Washington a second time and ordered a solution of vinegar and sage tea prepared for gargling.
“At eleven, Dr. Brown had not yet arrived and Craik sent for a third physician…At noon an enema was administered, but there was no improvement in Washington’s condition. Washington was bled for the fourth and final time. It was later reported that a total of thirty-two ounces of blood was extracted during the last bleeding…
“Another conference of physicians occurred. Craik administered an emetic to induce vomiting, though without beneficial results…George Washington’s condition worsened…
“George Washington … called for Tobias Lear. Lear recorded that Washington told him, “I find I am going, my breath[e] cannot last long. I believed from the first that the disorder would prove fatal. Do you arrange and record all my late military letters and papers—arrange my accounts and settle my books, as you know more about them than anyone else, and let Mr. Rawlins finish recording my other letters which he has begun.”
“At five in the afternoon, George Washington sat up from bed, dressed, and walked over to his chair. He returned to bed within thirty minutes. Craik went to him and Lear reported that Washington said, “Doctor, I die hard; but I am not afraid to go; I believed from my first attack that I should not survive it; my breath cannot last long.”2 Soon afterward, Washington thanked all three doctors for their service. Craik remained in the room. At eight at night more blisters and cataplasms were applied, this time to Washington’s feet 
and legs. At ten at night, George Washington spoke, requesting to be “decently buried” and to “not let my body be put into the Vault in less than three days after I am dead.”
Between ten and eleven at night on December 14, 1799, George Washington passed away. He was surrounded by people who were close to him including his wife who sat at the foot of the bed…”1
As I read this, my first thought was, “Thank you, Lord, for modern medicine!” The “cure” seems worse than the illness and death was the most merciful thing that could have happened — assuming he was saved.
The second thought, though, is the most important. James 4:13-14 says, “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: (14) Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” On December 12, a healthy George Washington is tending to business as normal. Two days later, he is dead.
Since we don’t know “what shall be on the morrow,” we had better be ready for the morrow! That all begins with knowing Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. If you don’t, this Lord’s Day would be a great day to give your life to Christ. If we are saved, we need to be living in a readiness and expectation that He could call us home at any moment.
The bottom line to it all is summed up by the word found in Amos 4:12. “… Prepare to meet thy God…”
1https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/the-death-of-george-washington
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