In a fascinating moment on The Joe Rogan Experience featuring comedian Sal Vulcano, the conversation took an unexpected historical turn that left Rogan visibly surprised. What started as a discussion about fitness, comedy, and personal anxieties eventually landed on one of America’s founding fathers—and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Vulcano revealed that George Washington didn’t die from battle wounds or old age complications in the way most might assume. Instead, the first President of the United States succumbed to what began as a common cold, made catastrophically worse by the medical practices of his time.
“He caught a common cold and then thought that he needed to get his blood sucked out of him,” Vulcano explained, describing how Washington turned to bloodletting with leeches as treatment.
The details only became more disturbing from there. Vulcano continued: “And so he got people to put leeches on him. And the leeches were just sucking the blood out of him, and it was like it was like a cold. And then he got infected and he basically caught an… I guess he went out in the rain or something like that and got a cold…. And then he ended up doing more stuff to himself. He basically killed himself. ”
According to historical accounts discussed during the podcast, Washington was treated by multiple doctors who extracted blood repeatedly, a total of 32 ounces during the final bleeding alone. The treatments didn’t stop with leeches.
Washington also received enemas, drugs to induce vomiting, and something called “blisters,” where Spanish fly was applied to his throat to create painful wounds, all in an attempt to remove what doctors believed were harmful “humors” causing inflammation.
Rogan’s reaction was one of complete disbelief. “Jesus Christ,” he exclaimed as the full picture emerged. The podcast host seemed particularly troubled by how the very treatments meant to save Washington likely hastened his death.
Despite Martha Washington voicing concerns about the aggressive bloodletting, George Washington insisted on continuing the treatment, believing it had cured him of past ailments.
The conversation highlighted just how dangerous medical ignorance could be, even for someone as prominent as the nation’s first president. Washington even struggled to swallow a mixture of molasses, butter, and vinegar meant to soothe his throat, which caused him to convulse and nearly suffocate.
Throughout his ordeal in December 1799, Washington remained gracious, thanking his doctors for their service even as the treatments drained him of life.
