Life expectancy in 1776 was just 35-38 years. Our Founding Fathers, however, lived to an average age of 77. (Over 80, if Burr had been as poor a marksman as Hamilton!)
Although the first 'hospital' opened in Philadelphia in 1751 (co-founded by Benjamin Franklin), health care was primitive and consisted mostly
of remedies - teas, ointments,and poultices - concocted in the home by mothers.
During the War for our Independence, a Hospital Department was established to oversee the care of wounded soldiers. General Washington mandated the inoculation of his troops against smallpox, one of the first major ‘public health’ initiatives.
It was not until
(three years) after our Sesquicentennial that Baylor University Hospital in Dallas created the first health insurance plan; for 50 cents a month, 1,300 local teachers were guaranteed 21 days of hospital care.
Given this brief (30 second) historical backdrop, just how do you explain our Founding Fathers longevity; Washington (67), Jefferson (83), John Adams (91), Madison (85),
Franklin (84), Hamilton (47), John Jay (84)?
Perhaps guided by Divine Providence, they just prayed for a little extra time to finish the job.
With the arrival of our Semiquincentennial, so should we!!
Tips will return
July 12th.
