A History of Medicine. Volume I: Primitive and Archaic Medicine

Two earlier trips, one to Delaware, where Nuttall contracted malaria, and one to Niagara Falls and Ontario paved the way for the travels recounted in this diary. Nuttall's 1810 expedition, the first months of which are described in the diary, was unquestionably undertaken for Barton at his expense. The route, objectives, and full terms of agreement were set down in detail by Barton. Nuttall, completely ignorant of frontier conditions, unable to swim or shoot, proposed to travel through the vaguely known territories far to the North West. Only three and a half years after the return of the Lewis and Clarke Expedition, with English military posts and fur companies unfriendly, and many of the Indian tribes hostile to the Americans, Nuttall had little idea of the enormity of his commission, and a record of his first day's observations breathes confidence and enthusiasm. From Philadelphia he proceeded by coach to Pittsburgh, then afoot through Franklin, Waterford, and Erie, and along the south shore of Lake Erie as far as the Huron River; from here by boat to Detroit, and then by canoe to "Michilimakinak." There are dated records from the banks of the Fox River and at the portage to the Wisconsin. Later records are from St. Louis, and also after his return from the upper Missouri. Nuttall was able to proceed with the western-most part of his trip by joining the Astoria expedition, on their way to establish fur trading posts on the Columbia River. He separated from the Astorians when fear of the Blackfeet Indians made them abandon the river route. With rich collections Nuttall returned to St. Louis. He then traveled by boat to New Orleans and because of impending war he sailed back to England, sending notes and specimens to Dr. Barton. The subject matter of the diary is chiefly biological, with description of plants, animals, and lists of plants and some of animals. Rocks, oil, and mineral springs, and especially Indian mounds are discussed. There are occasional notes on towns and topography: "To day I passed thro' a sandy plain covered with the ripe fruit of the Fragaria, & alive with snakes as the day was warm. I came to a small settlement on Kiaoga called Cleveland where I spent the remainder of the day." There are notes on goitre and other miscellaneous interests of Dr. Barton. Nuttall made other journeys into western United States. These are not, however, covered by this diary.