Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-02-28

all their r1ghtfu authority and power InrOuSu
political advance over the traditional and hith-
erto unquestioned theory Of the divine r1ght OF
Kings evolved through selfishness, ana en-,
forced by crafty tyrants. 1t was left for the
new world to discover that men are created
equal, and have natural and tnalienable rights,
and for washington to make TINS iInd is,I
Is not claimed these ideas originated with Wash
ington, but he had the foresight to appreciate
and and genius to successfully defend them and
secure their ascendancy In the political economy
OF his country Washington's character was
ve peod Of his 5 ae aed
every position he occupied, and was what few men
| are-greater than his Office. His pre-eminence
an NJ men Ine M was SO mar ke
first President Of the United States, and at the
end OF his term reelected and served in all
eight years. he was during his presidency and
ever since has been spoken Of as the Father of
| his Country"
1t was on the occasion OF. his sudden and
IN 6s b on the lf the Sf Of th
people Of the United states were so deeply pen
etrated with the profoundest sorrow. Congress,
DRY and condoienee With his affilcted family,
| resolved to erect monument to him In the city
Of Washington, and requested that his remains
| might be laid beneath 1t. His wtfeS consent
| was obtained to this arrangement.
MONUMENT BREAKING.
The discussion of the subject of a suitable
| monument developed sentiment favorable to
a very imposing and durable one. 1t was gen.
orally conceded that the equestrian statue could
only typtfy his military character, but since 1t
had been ordered, Washington had developed
the highest traits Of craftsmanship, deserving
the most enduring character. Congress argued
| that statues We're too perishable In their char
acter to properly commemorate and perpetuate
his virtues, which was enforced by recalling to
mind the destruction Of statues In this country
erected to persons once very popular, by tumults
occas1oned through loss Of confidence and
change in political views The reasoning seems to
have been convincing, las it was fresh In the minds
| of the members Of Congress that four statues
or In the
the equestrian statue, life size, Of George the
Third, in New York; two of William Pitt, one in
New York; and the other Of Gov. Berkley, at
Williamsburg, Va. Accordingly, in 1901. 100000
was appropriated by Congress to erect a maui
a height in suitable proportions, in the city Of
Washington. You know the history and the
unfinished state Of the Washington National
ming Of this century pledged itself to erect, and
which it is at length about to complete, to the
memofy of Washington.
WAS WASHINGTON THE VICTIM OF MALPRACTICE?
DR.. Toner remarked that before taking his
seat he would say one word upon the disease of
which General washington died and the medi-
Cdl OlCdUulCuO uC lCSClNOus Ills ouUJCCU AdS
frequently been discussed, and recently revived
by one of our own papers. The physicians, Drs
James Craik, Elisha Dick and Gustavus Brown,
who attended General Washington, approaching
the propriety of giving some account of the
character of his illness and death, published
over their own signatures circumstanttal &C
count of it In the first issue Of the Alexandra
Times after the melancholy event. Col. Lear,
s Xro a a
count OF the disease By reviewers and writer's
on this subject there has been much cheap criti-
Ssm ana nth declaration But few
facts, or, having the facts, have not had the
medical knowledge to give them their due
weight c., TO Edward Everett we are indebted
study of 9 The Last Sickness of General Wash
ington and its Treatment by the Attending
made BY Dr.
whom we derive the following facts:-.
Sc eae Sr ana time tine ss
medical treatment. 1t is rare disease and in
Its violent form almost uncomfortable; tnfiam-
matGn Of the ldagr ae upper part Of the
ington's death had not been so clearly described
as to distinguish it from all other diseases of
the throat. 1t was about 1910 that DR.. Matthew
Baillie, of London, one of the first physicians of
that metropolis, published an account of two
cases seen by himself, both in medical men, one
of whom was his personal friend. They proved
OF these careful post mortem studies had been
made. 1t was aScertained In these eXamina
lions, as it has frequently been since, that the
cous membrane, and subjacent tissue and sof
parts Of the whole largus, in Guiding the epiglot
tbs. From the altered form of the CLOTHS, by the
sible, and the lesSened capacity of the larynx or
windpipe by the swelling which takes place on
the inside the passage OF air to the lungs Is eff
fectually excluded, and death ensues from SUI
location. In the rapid course such cases run, de-
bil1ty plays but small part. Suffice atom easues
from the swelling and Inflammation OF the inner
walls OF the larynx, and as efectually destroys
life as would strangulation from pressure by
the sudden destruction of life Is readily under
stood. The disease it Is allowed, was one of
acute Inflammation, and after eighty years Of
progress in the science OF medicine this disease,
While better understood, is still formidable
one and In its severe forms generally fatal. DR..
Baillie recognizing the inflammatory and danger
both generally and locally, and applied blisters
and other remedies similar to those used by DR..
Ofa1k. This occurred at period comparatively
near that OF the death OF General Washington
to contrast their treatment. What do the best
teachers and practitioners Of the present day
direct In such cases? Keeping the case in point
before us, we do not hesitate TO say in general
In y ana they
alton that would have opened the larynX might
possibly have given some relief and possibly
prolongued II 1t had not preserved his life. 1t
Is not deemed desirable to go farther into the
subject, and we confess from the knowledge we
have OF the character and professional abilities
OF Dr.. Craik, that he not only fully compre-
hended the character and gravity Of the disease
OF which his illustrtous friend died, but that he
treated It with Judgment, and that he and his
would have any OF his critics.
Historic Bald Heads.
A CORRESPONDENT of the PtIU Mall Gazette