Cincinnatus Taft

Cincinnatus Taft graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York in 1846. He settled in Hartford that same year and took over his brother Gustavus’ large homeopathic practice.

Cincinnatus was the third homeopathic doctor to move to Hartford and the seventh in the state. One of Connecticut’s leading physicians, he served as Mark Twain’s family physician.

As a thin young man, Cincinnatus suffered frequent and severe hemorrhages from his lungs. Doctors told him this was due to one of his lungs not being in working order. They did not expect him to live more than six months.

Determined to live as long as possible, Cincinnatus “self-medicated” with a bottle of brandy at every dinner. And he primarily ate rare beefsteak to make blood and tissue. He gained 60 pounds and regained his health.

When he died at age 62, many were certain that the loss of his lung had finally killed him. During his autopsy, it was discovered that both of his lungs were perfectly healthy. Rather his stomach did not produce gastric juices to break down food in order for the nutrients to be absorbed by the body.

Cincinnatus literally died of starvation. His diet to aid in the supposed lung problem instead created gastric problems resulting in his death.