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The Dangers of The Oregon Trail
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The Dangers of the Oregon Trail
Intro
The Oregon Trail is most famous for being used to help travelers get from the East side to the West side of the U.S. during the 18th century.
However there were many troubles and it wasn't as easy as travel is now.
Maladies
Malady is just another word for disease.
Which there were many diseases on the trail along with the already hard travel.
Maladies
Measles
Measles is a very contagious virus that lead to many complications.
While it is still around it was very easy to catch measles while traveling in parties on the Oregon Trail.
Symptoms
1. High Fever (Usually over 104 degrees)
2. Cough
3. Runny Nose
4. Red, Watery Eyes
Transmission
Measles can be given to others by breathing in contaminated air or touching an infected surface.
Transmission
Cholera
Cholera is a disease caused by an infection of the intestines. People with cholera could get lucky and have little to no symptoms or they could be quite severe.
Symtoms
1. Vomiting
2. Leg Cramps
Symptoms
Transmission/ Cause
A person can get cholera by drinking or eating something that is contaminated with bacteria.
Transmission/ Cause
Typhoid Fever
Typhoid Fever is another one of the common diseases that was found on the travels of the Oregon Trail.
Typhoid Fever
Symptoms
1. Weakness
2. Stomach Pain
3. Headaches
4. Cough
5. Loss of appetite
Cause/ Transmission
The few ways to get typhoid fever is by contamination of food or water or person-to-person contact.
Cause/ Transmission
Snake Bites
Snake Bites while not a disease was just as deadly and common on the Oregon Trail.
Snake Bites
Symptoms
The symptoms depend on the snake but here are the common side effects:
1. Swelling or blistering
2. Severe pain around bite
3. Vomiting
4. Labored breathing
5. Numbness or muscle twitches
Pictures
Other Dangers
While the Oregon Trail did take its toll on people mostly by disease, it also had other dangers that the traveling parties had to plan ahead for.
Terrain
On the trail, which was over 2,000 miles, there were many land features that could make it a difficult journey.
There were many rivers that the travelers would have to cross and could lose possesions in the water's strong currents.
There were also many mountains that required many parties to give up heavier items to make the climb.
Weather
Weather perhaps was not of the greatest concern but still just as bad.
Rain fall could cause damage to the wagon or cause flash floods to prevent the travelers from continuing for many hours.
Though one of the greatest concerns was to not get caught in the winter months in the mountains.
Snow
Perhaps nowadays being caught in a snow storm while traveling isn't as big as of a deal but on the Oregon Trail it could be deadly.
If the traveling parties were caught in the snowy months on their travel they could have easily been trapped by the surrounding snow, enclosed from any way out of it.
Along with the snow many travelers would get frostbite and could lose limbs or be left misfigured.
Pictures
Terrain
The Oregon Trail was not an easy trip because of all the geographical features.
Terrain
Rivers
1. The Platte River
2. The Deschutes River
3. The Burnt River
4. The Sweetwater River and many more
Rivers
Mountains
The Oregon Trail crossed mainly through the Rocky Mountains and the the Blue Mountains.
Mountains
Conclusion
At the end of it all, going through rivers and mountains, dealing with unpredictable weather, and many deadly diseases, the travelers would make it to the West coast and start new lives.
Conclusion
Bibliography
- CDC Health Topics
https://www.cdc.gov/health-topics.html#c
- History.com
https://www.history.com/topics/westward-expansion/oregon-trail