cover of episode George Washington's Beard of Beetles (with The Dollop)

George Washington's Beard of Beetles (with The Dollop)

2023/11/17
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Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
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Tim Harford: 本集讨论了乔治·华盛顿的死因，以及当时医疗实践的局限性。华盛顿死于感冒，但医生们错误的治疗方法，特别是反复放血，加剧了他的病情，最终导致了他的死亡。这一事件突显了当时医疗知识的不足和治疗方法的粗暴。 Dave Anthony: 对乔治·华盛顿死因的讨论中，重点关注了医生们采取的各种荒谬的治疗方法，例如放血和在脖子上放甲虫，这些方法不仅没有帮助，反而加剧了华盛顿的病情。这反映了当时医学知识的匮乏和治疗方法的落后。 Gareth Reynolds: 本集还探讨了早期汽车时代城市街道的混乱和安全问题。由于缺乏交通规则和安全意识，早期汽车导致了大量的交通事故和人员伤亡，特别是儿童。汽车行业的公共关系策略，例如创造“乱穿马路”一词来指责行人，也值得关注。

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George Washington's death was hastened by a series of misguided medical interventions, including bloodletting and the application of beetles to his throat, prescribed by a succession of doctors.

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Cautionary Conversation: Just before Christmas 1799, President George Washington was riding around his country estate, Mount Vernon, when it began to snow. When he arrived home, guests were waiting for him. Known for his punctuality, he hurried to entertain them -  still clad in his damp clothes.

The next morning, Washington had a sore throat and a chesty cough. His family decided to take a fateful step: they summoned a doctor.

Tim Harford is joined by comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds, hosts of the hugely popular history podcast The Dollop. They discuss the parade of doctors that tended to the ailing Washington, and the various remedies they prescribed - from lamb's blood to a collar of beetles. Tim, Dave and Gareth also look at what happened when cars first hit the streets in the early twentieth century: why did so many cars "turn turtle"? Who were the first jaywalkers? And which British inventor rode around in a giant white stiletto?

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