Clark: January 27, 1806
Collins departed for the saltmakers and Shannon returned to report his hunting party had killed ten elk. Because two were on a nearly inaccessible mountain miles away through fallen timber and snow-covered sinkholes, the captains abandoned those and ordered most men out the next morning to retrieve the other eight near the Netul River. Clark noted Goodrich had recovered from venereal disease via mercury treatment, and described Indian remedies using lobelia and sumac root. He also described the native sol me berry, comparing it to Solomon's seal.
Wednesday 27th January 1806 This morning Collins Set out to the Saltmakers
Shannon returned and reported that himself and party had killed 10 Elk. he
lef Labiech & R Field with the Elk, two of those Elk he informed us
was at the distance of 9 miles from this place near the top of a mountain,
that the rout by which they must be brought was at least 5 miles by land
thro a Countrey almost inexcessable, from the fallen timber brush, and
Sink holes, which were now disguised by the Snow; we therefore Concluded
to relinquish those two Elks for the present, and ordered every man that
Could be Speared from the Fort to go early in the morning in Serch of the
other Eight, which is at no great distance from the Netul river, on which
we are. Goudrich has recoverd from the louis veneri which he contracted
from a amorous Contact with a Chinnook damsel. he was Cured as Gibson was
with murcury by ____ I cannot lern that the Indians have any Simples
Sovereign Specifics in the cure of this disease; indeed I doubt verry much
whether any of them have any means of effecting a perfect cure. when once
this disorder is contracted by them it Continues with them dureing life;
but always ends in decepitude, death; or premature old age; tho from the
use of certain Simples together with their diet, they Support this
disorder with but little inconveniance for maney years, and even enjoy a
tolerable Share of health; particularly So among the Chippeways who I
beleive to be better Skilled in the use of those Simples than any nation
of Indians in North America. The Chippaways use a decoction of the root of
the Labelia, and that of a Species of Sumac Common to the Atlantic States
and to this countrey near and on the western Side of the Rocky mountains.
This is the Smallest Specis of Sumake, readily distinguished by it’s
winged rib, or common footstalk, which Supports it’s oppositly pinnate
leaves. these decoctions are drank freely and without limatation. the Same
decoctions are used also in cases of the gonnarea and are effecatious and
sovereign. notwithstanding that this disorder does exist among the indians
on the Columbia yet it is witnessed in but fiew individuals high up the
river, or at least the males who are always Sufficiently exposed to the
observation or inspection of the phisician. in my whole rout down this
river I did not See more than two or three with Gonnarea and about double
that number with the Pox.
The berry which the nativs Call Sol me is the production of a plant about
the Size and much the Shape of that Common to the atlantic States which
produces the berry Commonly Called Sollomons Seal berry this berry is also
attached to the top of the Stem in the Same manner; and is of a globular
form Consisting of a thin Soft Pellicle rine which encloses a Soft
Pellicle pulp inveloping from 3 to 4 Seed, white firm, Smothe, and in the
form of a third or a quarter of a Globe, and large in perportion to the
fruit, or about the Size of the Seed of the Common Small grape. the berry
when grown and unripe is not Specked as the Solomon’s seal Berry is; this
last haveing only one Globaler Smothe, ferm, white Seed in each berry-.
the Sol me grows in the wood lands amonge the moss and on the high ridges.
and is an annual plant to all appearance
Read this entry in modern English AI-translated
Wednesday 27th January 1806. This morning Collins set out for the saltmakers. Shannon returned and reported that he and his party had killed 10 elk. He left Labiech and R. Field with the elk. He informed us that two of those elk were at a distance of 9 miles from this place, near the top of a mountain, and that the route by which they must be brought was at least 5 miles by land through a country almost inaccessible, due to the fallen timber, brush, and sinkholes, which were now disguised by the snow. We therefore concluded to give up those two elk for the present, and ordered every man who could be spared from the fort to go out early in the morning in search of the other eight, which are at no great distance from the Netul River, on which we are. Goodrich has recovered from the lues venerea (syphilis) which he contracted from an amorous encounter with a Chinook woman. He was cured, as Gibson was, with mercury by ____. I cannot learn that the Indians have any simple sovereign specifics for curing this disease; indeed, I doubt very much whether any of them have any means of effecting a complete cure. Once this disorder is contracted by them, it continues throughout their lives, but always ends in decrepitude, death, or premature old age. However, through the use of certain herbs (simples) along with their diet, they endure this disorder with little inconvenience for many years, and even enjoy a tolerable share of health—particularly among the Chippeways (Chippewa), who I believe are better skilled in the use of these simples than any nation of Indians in North America. The Chippaways use a decoction of the root of the lobelia, and that of a species of sumac common to the Atlantic States and to this country near and on the western side of the Rocky Mountains. This is the smallest species of sumac, readily distinguished by its winged rib, or common footstalk, which supports its oppositely pinnate leaves. These decoctions are drunk freely and without limitation. The same decoctions are also used in cases of gonorrhea and are effective and sovereign. Although this disorder does exist among the Indians on the Columbia, it is seen in only a few individuals high up the river—at least among the males, who are always sufficiently exposed to the observation or inspection of the physician. On my entire route down this river, I did not see more than two or three with gonorrhea and about double that number with the pox.
The berry which the natives call sol me is the product of a plant about the size and much the shape of that common to the Atlantic States which produces the berry commonly called Solomon's seal berry. This berry is also attached to the top of the stem in the same manner, and is of a globular form, consisting of a thin soft outer skin which encloses a soft pulp enveloping 3 to 4 seeds—white, firm, smooth, and in the form of a third or a quarter of a globe, and large in proportion to the fruit, or about the size of the seed of the common small grape. The berry, when grown and unripe, is not speckled as the Solomon's seal berry is; the latter has only one globular, smooth, firm, white seed in each berry. The sol me grows in the woodlands among the moss and on the high ridges, and is, by all appearances, an annual plant.
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