Loungewear is not the couture that George Washington is particularly remembered for, but his banyan
Loungewear is not the couture that George Washington is particularly remembered for, but his banyan — a robe-like vestment meant for the summer months — is notable for the fact that Washington was purportedly wearing it when he died 212 years ago on December 14, 1799. In an unusually macabre sartorial twist, the robe is even more notable for its purported death-related Washington bloodstain. Those familiar with the General’s demise will call to mind that Washington didn’t die from especially bloody or violent causes — he contracted epiglottis (then referred to as quinsy), in which swelling of the epiglottis makes swallowing and eventually breathing impossible. Only 36 hours after Washington first showed symptoms of illness did he ultimately suffocate and pass away. If not from a bloody death then what was the stain from? The blood on Washington’s gown emanated from some of the particularly gory solutions people in the 18th century sought to assuaged illness. Bloodletting was immediately performed by one of Washington’s overseers before Washington’s personal physician, Dr. Craik, could arrive on the scene from nearby Alexandria, Va. (It would also be applied several more times in the ensuing hours.) This plus a variety of other treatments are recorded in the diary entry of Washington’s personal secretary, Tobias Lear, who was in the room as treatments were applied and Washington eventually died. Molasses, vinegar and butter were mixed and prepared to sooth Washington’s throat, but he could not swallow it. A piece of flannel dipped in a substance Lear refers to as “salvolatila” was wrapped around Washington’s neck, and his feet were soaked. Blistering was also performed on Washington. Lear records application of Spanish fly, an insect that when used in a poultice would cause blistering. Doctors in that era would also place a small cup upon the skin. A small piece of lint was lit on fire within the cup causing a vacuum that then produced a blister on the skin. None of this worked for Washington. Through all or at least a part of this, Washington purportedly wore his red and blue check-printed cotton banyan. No attempt at scientific verification has been made to validate the bloodstain as Washington’s. Because the cut of the robe is not generally seen until later in the 19th century and because one of the banyan’s owners is known to have forged some Washington documents and dispersed fake artifacts, the robe’s provenance comes into question. The story goes that the banyan was passed down to Martha Washington’s grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, after Washington’s death. All facts considered, the mystery of the bloody robe is likely one for the ages. -- source link
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