Myrtle in Nez Perce County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

A Gastric Catastrophe

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 16, 2026

1. A Gastric Catastrophe Marker

Photos: (bottom left) Rush's Pills (Smithsonian Institution), (perimeter) Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) woven qéqepe (cornhusk bag).

Inscription. The Lewis and Clark Expedition, starving and weak, arrived at Weippe Prairie where they met the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people, who fed them.Within hours after gorging themselves on fish and roots, the Expedition members were stricken with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and "violent" pain in the bowels. I find myself verry unwell all the evening from eating the fish & roots too freely" wrote Clark, September 20, 1805. Members of the Expedition suffered varying degrees of symptom while they constructed their new boats at Canoe Camp from September 27 to October 7. Lewis was so sick he was "Scerely able to ride on a jentle horse," according to Clark, September 24, 1805. Dr. Benjamin Rush, before the Expedition began, instructed Lewis that when his men showed the "sign of an approaching disease ...take one or two of the opening pills" to expel the cause of sickness. With Lewis, the main medic, out of commission, Clark dosed the men, who were vomiting and had diarrhea, with Rush's pills (a strong laxative), and a tartar emetic to increase vomiting.

Erected by Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Bureau of Land Management.

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 20, 1805.

Location. 46° 29.855′ N, 116° 43.621′ W. Marker is in Myrtle, Idaho, in Nez Perce County. It is on U.S. 12 near Hazel Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lapwai ID 83540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Idaho — Idaho’s Panhandle,

on Nez Perce Tribal Land,

and in the Palouse.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

specifically in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: From the Journals (here, next to this marker); Site of the Lapwai Mission (approx. 5.3 miles away); Indian Agency Cabin (approx. 5.3 miles away); Spalding Home Site

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 16, 2026

2. A Gastric Catastrophe Marker

(approx. 5.3 miles away); Spalding Mission (approx. 5.3 miles away); Clearwater River (approx. 5.3 miles away); Rev. Henry Harmon Spalding (approx. 5.3 miles away); Lapwai Mission Cemetery (approx. 5.3 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 21 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 25, 2026, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.