Nearly all of us know the story of Lewis and Clark, but their preparations for the expedition were fairly elaborate, to say the least! The same could be said for the astronauts going into space! We hear about the trip, but very little about the prepping for the trip! This little nugget from the folks over at Listverse shows what I'm talking about!
Archaeology by Diarrhea
The Lewis and Clark expedition was sent out by President Jefferson to cross the continent of America. They were to make scientific discoveries and contact the native Americans. Because they were to be gone for so long it was necessary to train them in medicine so that they could treat illness and injury. Benjamin Rush, famous doctor and founding father, was a key advisor. He was a keen advocate of purgatives and laxatives. To clear out the bowels of the expedition he provided them with his own invention, Bilious Pills. These contained a large amount of mercury. They were so effective as laxative that the expedition termed them Thunder Clappers. The problem with mercury is that it remains in the environment for a very long time. When the expedition used the pills they left such large amounts of mercury in the ground that later archaeologists have been able to identify the path of the expedition by the levels of the metal still remaining from the Thunder Clapper purges.
I do hope that no one needs any of these after the big dinners yesterday! I've heard a rumor that mercury isn't really something you want to put in your body! Either way, I really don't want any of these pills! Don't think I could endure the side effects, ya know?
Coffee out on the patio this morning! I have some pumpkin pie left I will share.
7 comments:
Verrrry interesting. Hope you didn't eat too much. Pumpkin pie sounds like a winner. Thank you.
Thunder Clapper pills; now they sure had a good sense of humor. Now I am wondering why they needed them. At least it helped mark the trail.
Good tracking stuff thos thunder clappers. But no you sure don't want that stuff in your body.
Speaking of mercury did you know that those new light bulbs have mercury in them. Everyone keeps saying but its so little. Well once they are in full use that turns into a lot. Just thought I would pass that on.
Coffee on the patio sounds good but I am going to pass on the pie.
Don't think I need any Thunder Clapper pills. I'm doing just fine on my own. Now that is a new way to mark a trail - something that doesn't disappear - haha. coffee on the patio sounds good to me, especially with pumpkin pie. Very cold and windy here.
That is a rather disturbing story HJ. It is stories like this one that brings a whole new meaning to "getting a second opinion". Think I would have found a different Dr. with a better solution.
Hey Momlady...
I learned a long time ago to stop eating before I was stuffed!
Better to eat small portions 2 or 3 times, than a big portion all at once! Leaves more room for desert!
Thanks, Linda, for coming over this morning!
Hey Dizzy...
Probably a good place to be was the front of the line, I reckon!
Guess it took a good sense of humor to survive on a trip like this one!
I love the name! Thanks, buddy, for dropping by today!
Hey Jo...
Sorry you don't want any pie, but I'll eat a piece for ya!
I don't care much for the new bulbs, especially the cost!
Thanks, sweetie, for coming over today!
Hey Linda...
I'm with you! I think that Mother Nature and I can work it out OK.
Still warm here, so that's a nice change for you!
Thanks for coming over this morning!
Hey JMD...
This is probably more information than you really wanted to know!
Some things about the past could be left unsaid!
You have a great day and thanks for coming over this morning!
Interesting post, I will link this to my blog.
And no, I do not carry these pills in my 18th century madical kit.
Regards, Keith.
http://woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com.au/
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