Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford George Washington's Beard of Beetles (with The Dollop)
8 snips
Nov 17, 2023 Join comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, co-hosts of The Dollop, as they hilariously explore George Washington's tragic last days, filled with absurd medical treatments like bloodletting and beetles. They delve into the early 1900s, unpacking the chaotic transition from leisure-filled streets to car-dominated thoroughfares, and the rise of jaywalking. The duo makes engaging connections between historical folly and our modern world, proving that some lessons from the past are timelessly amusing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Washington's Death
- George Washington died shortly after retiring to Mount Vernon.
- Doctors repeatedly bled him, contributing to his demise.
Bloodletting
- Doctors repeatedly bled George Washington when he fell ill.
- Each doctor drained over a pint of blood, believing it would help him recover.
Beetles and Age
- One doctor suggested applying beetles to Washington's neck.
- Another claimed bleeding him was a mistake because of his age.
