252 Facts relative to Cynanche Trachealis. 



further repetition of it under such circumstances. I 

 have, however, the consolation to believe, that I have 

 r.ever withheld it where it would have been effectual. 



It may not be amiss, in this place, to say a few 

 words concerning the melancholy instance of General 

 Washington. Prior to this case, three adults had been 

 attacked by the disease in this town, and had been 

 relieved ; two others had fallen victims to it, in the 

 neighbourhood, for want of proper assistance. The 

 general's attack commenced in the early part of the 

 night, but whether preceded by the symptomatic 

 cough I am unable to say. His residence was distant 

 ten miles from Alexandria. The night being excessively 

 cold, and his family physician being both aged and in- 

 firm, he contented himself with losing some blood by a 

 bleeder in the neighbourhood, and with the application of 

 such domestic remedies as his own understanding sug- 

 gested, till the following morning, when Dr. Craik, 

 who arrived at eight or nine o'clock, again opened a vein, 

 with a view to bring on deliquium. Whether it were 

 practicable or not at that time, I am unable to state ; 

 but certainly the object was not effected; and a subse- 

 quent effort, made previously to my arrival (which was in 

 the afternoon), was equally abortive. The disease Mas 

 manifestly hastening to a fatal termination. I pro- 

 nounced decisively that death was inevitable, unless it 

 could be arrested by the operation of tracheotomy, to 

 which I strenuously recommended an immediate re- 

 sort, as the only expedient that could possibly presci \ i 

 the life of a man, whose loss every virtuous man in 

 community would d< 



