Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Programs in Youth Prevention

On the morning of December 14, 1799, George Washington was struggling to breathe.

What had begun as a sore throat after riding about Mount Vernon on a cold day had quickly worsened. By early morning, he appeared he could barely speak. His physicians were called, and as they assessed his condition, they turned to one of the most widely accepted treatments of the time: bloodletting, or the practice of removing blood from the body as a treatment for illness.

Over the next several hours, Washington’s physicians removed approximately 40% of his blood in repeated rounds, believing they were relieving pressure and restoring balance in his body. Washington, aware of the seriousness of his condition, called for and cooperated with the treatment. But later that evening, it was clear he was growing weaker. Recognizing he was nearing death, he reportedly shared his final words: