The swelling on young Jean Baptiste‘s neck worsens, and William Bratton is treated in a sweathouse built by John Shields. An old Nez Perce chief—treated a month ago—arrives, and Lewis is at a loss for a cure. At Broken Arm’s village, four men trade awls re-purposed from the small chain of a beaver trap.
Bratton Still Weak
by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading
Baby Charbonneau Worsens
The child [Jean Baptiste Charbonneau] was very wrestless last night; it’s jaw and the back of it’s neck are much more swolen than they were yesterday tho’ his fever has abated considerably. we gave it a doze of creem of tartar and applyed a fresh poltice of onions.
—Meriwether Lewis
Bratton Sweated
the patient was furnished with a vessell of water which he sprinkles on the bottom and sides of the hole and by that means creates as much steam or vapor as he could possibly bear, in this situation he was kept about 20 minutes after which he was taken out and suddonly plunged in cold water twise and was then immediately returned to the sweat hole . . . .
during the time of his being in the sweat hole, he drank copious draughts of a strong tea of horse mint . . . .
this experiment was made yesterday; Bratton feels himself much better and is walking about today and says he is nearly free from pain.—
—Meriwether Lewis
Old Nez Perce Patient
a canoe arrived with 3 of the [Nez Perce] natives one of them the sick man of whom I have before made mentions as having lost the power of his limbs. he is a cheif of considerable note among them and they seem extreemly anxious for his recovery . . . .
while at the village of the broken arm we had recommended a diet of fish or flesh for this man and the cold bath every morning . . . .
this poor wretch thinks that he feels himself of somewhat better but to me there appears to be no visible alteration. we are at a loss what to do for this unfortunate man. we gave him a few drops of Laudanum and a little portable soup.
—Meriwether Lewis
Broken Arm’s Village
4 of our party pased the river and visited the lodge of the broken Arm for the purpose of traiding some awls which they had made of the links of small chain belonging to one of their steel traps, for some roots. they returned in the evening having been very successfull, they had obtained a good supply of roots and bread of cows [cous].—
—Meriwether Lewis
Weather Diary
State of the Weather at rise
Wind at State of the Weather at 4 P.M. Wind at 4 P.M. State of the Kooskooskee fair S E fair N W fallen 1 in. air remarkably pleasant all day.
—Meriwether Lewis[2]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented, the river columns have been merged, and some abbreviations have been spelled out.
Notes
| ↑1 | Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented, the river columns have been merged, and some abbreviations have been spelled out. |
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
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- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).