Or Perish in the Attempt: Wilderness Medicine in the Lewis & Clark Expedition

by David J. Peck, Moira Ambrose (Foreword), R. F. "Bob" Morgan (Illustrator)

An urgent-care physician with a passion for the Lewis and Clark Expedition describes its medical aspects in this popular book. The two captains had to act as doctors for their own men, Sacagawea and baby Pomp, and also treated many Indian nations met along the way. But they used the primitive medicines and theories of 1803, which often called for doing just what shouldn’t be done, or what had no effect. Dr. Peck describes the trip from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back, emphasizing the illnesses and accidents, and how the captains dealt with frostbite, severe cuts, appendicitis, venereal disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, mental illness, parasites, skin infections, snowblindness, gunshot wound, dislocated joints, muscle spasm, and more. Anecdotes from his own practice enrich the information he gathered from current medical publications. He also presents medical and anecdotal evidence supporting the theory that Meriwether Lewis died from suicide rather than murder.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medicine, Medical, American History, Outdoors

351 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Dr. David J Peck, a San Diego based physician has authored two books on the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition. His first, OR PERISH IN THE ATTEM{PT (Bison Books-Univ. of Nebraska Press 2011) has achieved the status of the "go to" book on medicine and the famed expedition. His latest book, "SO HARD TO DIE--A PHYSICIAN AND A PSYCHOLOGIST EXPLORE THE MYSTERY OF MERIWETHER LEWIS'S DEATH (2021), was written with his wife, Dr. Marti Peck, a clinical psychologist and adult psychoanalyst. "So Hard to Die" is the authoritative and definitive analysis of the mysterious death of Meriwether Lewis at the age of 35, a victim of gunshot wounds. Originally reported as a suicide, controversy still swirls around suicide vs. murder, with multiple erroneous theories having been presented as "fact" over the past 50 years. The Drs. Peck have clarified and commented extensively on Lewis's death as well as other author's theories.

Reviews

[Tod Bellrichard · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read. not only a great description of the Lewis and Clark expedition but an interesting view of the medical perrils they faced. well done

[Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, a mix of history and medicine!

[Merenwen Inglorion · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

Things I liked:
-clean writing style, with just enough of a modern "voice" to add flavor without detracting from the time period
-index, references, and appendices!
-factual reporting of diseases and injuries, without trying to be over the top with descriptions

Things I didn't like:
-this thing took me forever to read (but that's my own fault for not prioritizing it and packing it up for a bit :P)

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me a completely different view of the Lewis and Clark expedition. I’ve never considered the medicine aspect that the expedition would have had to have figured out. I found the discussion of different medicines they had to carry with them to be so interesting and I can’t believe more members of the expedition didn’t die en route!

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Subject was interesting, but I think it might have been better if it wasn't written chronologically. It felt like a catalog instead of an interesting look at how they viewed medicine and the medicals needs they faced.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I thought it was going to be, but it will still go in my MT book collection.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting even if your not interested in wilderness medicine. Peck has an interesting and informative style of writing.

[Elliott James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great concept. Thought the execution was poor.

[Casey Kyler-West · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fascinating read. I’ve never given any thought to the threat of parasites and other diseases during that time. I’m glad I took the time to read it.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to think the fact that Lewis & Clark succeeded on their expedition was simply wonderful. After reading this book, I realize their success was nothing short of a miracle!

Very interesting and highly recommended.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this book has two of my favorite topics wilderness/primitive medicine and the Lewis & Clark expedition. Naturally this is one of my favorite books.

[Jennifer]

Excellent.