Happy Trails

by Debra Auspitz

What do you know about Lewis and Clark? We"ve all had the ninth-grade history lesson on the dynamic duo who set off from St. Louis in 1804 to explore the West. But what does the average American really know about Meriwether Lewis and William Clark"s daunting trip? Probably not that their team"s medical kit included a penile syringe useful in treating gonorrhea or that during a hunting mishap, great American hero Lewis was shot in the ass.

A new exhibit at the College of Physicians looks in detail at Lewis and Clark"s voyage, especially the difficult task of conquering disease and the elements. ³Only One Man Died: Medical Adventures on the Lewis and Clark Trail² begins its journey right here in Philadelphia, where Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis to learn basic medical skills from our physicians. University of Tulsa Professor James Ronda has written four books on Lewis and Clark and is considered one of the top experts on the expedition. (His latest book is Beyond Lewis and Clark, a title that caused his family to exclaim, ³Finally!²) In his remarks at a preview of the COP"s exhibit, Ronda said Philadelphia was an essential part of an ³emblematic American moment.² Not only did Lewis learn a great deal from Philly physicians, but the team acquired many supplies here. For example, Ronda spoke of Matilda Chapman, a local seamstress who sewed 93 shirts for the team to use on their journey. Philadelphians like Chapman ³didn"t make the journey, but they made the journey possible,² Ronda said.

The COP"s exhibit shows off the importance of our fair city, but also details the medical and other hazards on the trail (icky photos of frostbite, information about fevers, even a huge bear on loan from The Academy of Natural Sciences). The show also features original medical tools, like a jar for leeches and a bleeding kit (illustrated above). The COP has created an exhibit accessible to the Lewis and Clark layman but full of enough artifacts and beneath-the-surface attention to detail to keep any history nerd happy.

--Debra Auspitz

“Only One Man Died: Medical Adventures on the Lewis and Clark Trail,” ongoing, $8, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 19 S. 22nd St., 215-563-3737.