Epiglottitis: It Hasn't Gone Away.

Anesthesiology, V 124 • No 6 1404 June 2016 G eorge Washington, the United States’ first president, 2 yr after leaving office on December 13, 1799, was reported to have “a cold” and mild hoarseness. The next morning, around 2:00 am, he had difficulty breathing. By 6:00 am, he was febrile, had throat pain, and experienced respiratory distress. Three physicians were called to his side and tried various remedies, all without success.1 Washington died at 10:20 pm, likely due to bacterial epiglottitis. If he had lived and received care 200 yr later, the outcome might have been different.