Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean: Vol. 1, Pt. 2

MEDICAL REPORT OF EASTERN DIVISION.
forest, which is its most prevailing feature, is interspersed with valleys and prairies, many of
them teeming with life and energy, and that it cannot be long before their hardy citizens shall
assume the proud position of a sovereign State.
It remains, therefore, but to take a farewell glance at those majestic mountains, some of which
may even now be vomiting their hoarded fires.* We pause at every opening in the woods to
admire the brilliant tints of slumbering volcanoes, or to watch a passing cloud empurpled by
the sun, far below their lofty summits, and turn away reluctantly to complete our journey with
the day. Towards the termination of the ride from the Cowlitz to Olympia the opening timber
gives glimpses of distant waters, overtopped by the outlines of high mountains with whitened
peaks. Emerging from the forest-depths, the mountain ranges of the Cape Flattery peninsula
grow clearly into view; their snowy peaks and summits are seen gleaming in the mellowed
splendor of the evening sunlight, and reflecting a radiant glow upon the placid bosom of the
sound; putting an appropriate period to a long and eventful journey, and to this sketch.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN LAMBERT.
Governor I. I. STEVENS,
Chief of Northern Pactfic Railroad Exploration.
2. PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF THE GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTRY EXPLORED BY DR. JOHN EVANS,
GEOLOGIST.
[This paper, sent from Washington Territory, where Dr. Evans was still employed in the field when the report of Governor
Stevens was submitted, was lost on the route.]
3. MEDICAL REPORTS OF DR. GEORGE SUCKLEY, ASSISTANT SURGEON U. S. A., AND DR. J. G.
COOPER, SURGEON OF THE EXPLORATION.
DR. SUCKLEY'S MEDICAL REPORT FOR THE EASTERN DIVISION.
FORT STEILACOOM, PUGET SOUND, W. T.,
January 4, 1854.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following brief report concerning the health of the parties
under your own immediate charge, operating between the headwaters of the Mississippi river
and Puget sound, together with a few remarks concerning the character of the country passed
through, and the prevailing diseases in the various Indian tribes seen on the route.
The whole line of march can be readily divided into five distinct sections, varying considerably
from each other in soil, climate, and productions.
1. The prairie and coteau country between Sauk rapids and Fort Union, at the mouth of the
Yellowstone river. The eastern two-thirds of this section was exceedingly level, abounding in
lakes, ponds, and pools. The weather was generally clear and pleasant, the heat of a July sun
being generally moderated by refreshing breezes. Dews at night very heavy. Vegetation rank.
The western third of this was principally through a coteau country, nearly destitute of timber.
Lakes numerous, but many of them stagnant and saline. Dews very light. Vegetation more
scanty.
The main party of sixty-seven persons, and the detachment of nineteen under Lieutenant
Grover, were occupied in passing through this region from June 10th to August 6th, a period of
about eight weeks. The health of all persons was excellent; not a case of malarious disease
appeared; and the only'cases of sickness which came under my notice were slight attacks of
looseness of the bowels, produced by eating too heartily of buffalo meat, in addition to the use of
* A late mail announced that Mount Rainier was emitting smoke.
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