If syphilis didn't kill you the mercury would! I believe that more than a few on the Corp of Discovery were treated with Mercury.
In March 1805, Clark casually writes in his journal, Generally healthy except venerials complains which is verry Commion. Three men are mentioned by name in the journals of the expedition as being treated for syphilis, although many historians believe the majority of the men suffered from sexually transmitted diseases. Sexual contact did occur between the Corps of Discovery and some of the Native American women.
"The standard treatment of syphilis was the application of mercury. It was given either as a salve to the lesion or as a pill. It was stopped when excessive salivation and sore gums occurred, signs of mercury poisoning. It was then resumed until the lesion was cured. Some medical historians propose that Meriwether Lewis suffered from neurosyphilis, causing mental derangement leading to his suicide."
Sorry for the aside from the main point of the thread. Perhaps, some on board the ship had the mercury treatment administered on board.
Last edited by Cameron; 04/14/12 09:23 PM.
