Rush Vs. Lewis: Responsible For Botany Discovery

In addition to being responsible for taking scientific measures focused around new and existing animal species; Lewis was also responsible for the botany discoveries on the journey. Botany, flora and fauna were Lewis’s original interest and love. Over two hundred and sixty specimens were collected and investigated along the journey. As with the animal findings, some were sent ahead to scientists even before the journey ended, so examination and scrutiny could begin. These specimens were analyzed for their medicinal, edible consumption, and commercial possibilities. Although, scientists were enlisted to investigate the findings further, the use and consumption of these discoveries began long before other scientists could get their hands on them. Lewis was
Benjamin Rush, the doctor whom Lewis had studied under was quite interested in the Indians that the gentlemen were surely to encounter on their journey, therefore he prepared Lewis with detailed instructions on the anticipated interactions. Both he and Lewis were avid learners and wanted to know as much as possible about the ways of life that the Indians lived. Rush provided Lewis with a series of questions on Indian physical history, medicine, morals, and religion that he wanted Lewis to pursue. (Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia) Rush was especially interested in the diseases of the Indians and wanted to know “What are the acute diseases of the Indians? Is the bilious fever attended with a black vomit?” (Rector 1). “Is goiter, apoplexy, palsy, Epilepsy …diseases known to them?” (Rector 2). Although Lewis’s background and experience in the area of botany, zoology, and medicine far outweighed Clark’s; the Native Indians seemed more impressed with Clark than Lewis when it came to frontier medicine. Perhaps it was Clark’s effervescent and outgoing personality versus Lewis’s often moody demeanor that appealed to the Indians, consequently they self-appointed Clark as their