James Craik

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James Craik : biography

1730 – 6 February 1814

With the outbreak of hostilities during the American Revolution, Craik once more rejoined the army. He served as an army surgeon, ultimately advancing to the second-highest post in army medicine. Craik warned Washington about the plots of the Conway Cabal, and treated the wounds of General Hugh Mercer at the Battle of Princeton and Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette at the Battle of Brandywine. Mercer died of his wounds, but La Fayette was more fortunate.

Washington persuaded him to move his practice to Alexandria, Virginia, where he built his house Vaucluse (plantation), where he died. Stetson, Charles (1956) Washington and his Neighbors, Garrett and Massie, Richmond, Virginia, LOC 55-11155 He also had a town house at 117 South Fairfax Street, 209 Prince Street, and then 210 Duke Street.

Washington summoned Craik out of private practice in 1798 in connection with the Quasi-War against France, installing him as Physician General of the Army on 19 June of that year. After the conclusion of hostilities, Craik mustered out on 15 June 1800.

At Washington’s death

As Washington’s personal physician, Craik was one of three doctors to attend on him during his final illness on 14 December 1799. Washington complained of respiratory distress, described by Craik as "cynanche trachealis". When Washington proved unable to swallow medicines orally, Craik and the other two physicians (Dr. Elisha C. Dick and Dr. Gustavus Richard Brown) treated his condition with bloodletting, the application of various poultices, and a rectal solution of calomel and tartar. Washington’s condition continued to deteriorate, but Craik and Brown decided against Dick’s suggestion of a tracheotomy (which might have been lifesaving, but likely would have spread the infection and caused sepsis), and Washington died at 10:10 p.m. Brown and Craik co-published an account of their treatment in December 1800.

Craik died in Alexandria in 1814; he is buried in the graveyard of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in that city.