Medical Perspective == 

 I'm about halfway through reading The Journals of Lewis and Clark edited by DeVoto, and one common thread that I thought I could get answered here was the persistent medical issues that came up, chiefly boils and tumors.  If someone with appropriate knowledge and background could write a piece about these ailments, their sources, and the medicines and procedures employed to combat them, that would be very helpful.  It seems to be acknowledged, mostly outside this article, that venereal disease was one issue, but it could not have been the only one.  Were there parasites that were common given the diet of the party, or was it more likely water-borne pathogens like Giardia?  I've also been told that some of the camps have been found by searching for trace elements of mercury, which apparently was part of the 'cure' for these various conditions at that time.  I think this is relevant because this was a journey with more than just obstacles in the landscape, and it would be helpful to have some background on the types of medical issues the party contended with and how they dealt with those issues. 
  RDD98103 

  
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