ISO CASCADES AND LINE OF SNOQUALME PASS. 



turcs and dislocations of the limbs appear to be rare. The Indians are not much exposed to 

 accidents of that kind, on account of tfteir indolent. habits and little taste for adventure. Atrophy 

 of the muscles constituting the calf of the leg is almost a disease among them, in consequence of 

 their infrequent use in walking; all journeys being performed on horseback or in canoes, even 

 for half a mile distance. Consumption is common among them, in consequence of poor clothing 

 and shelter, combined with the weakness of constitution, generally caused by a scanty and 

 innutritious quality of food. Decay of the teeth seems to be rare, but they wear down irom the 

 surface, as in horses, &c., forming smooth flat tops. 



I could learn of very few remedies among the Indian tribes; they are unwilling to tell of such 

 as they have, which must be very few and of little value, as they place great confidence in the 

 treatment and medicine of the whites. Many tribes on the upper Columbia and its branches 

 use the hot vapor bath, followed by a plunge into cold water. This severe hydropathic practice 

 does not seem to benefit them, and is fast giving way to other remedies. The huts used for its 

 administration have been often described, and are used also east of the Rocky mountains. Like 

 all savage nations, charms and incantations are much relied on by them. An umbelliferous 

 plant (Pencedanum) is used by them as an emetic, as well as the root of the Sicyos Oregonus, 

 or wild melon, which has properties similar to those of colocyntli. 



There are, undoubtedly, many plants indigenous to the country, of great medicinal value. 

 Some of these are well known, but a long time will be required to ascertain fully the uses of the 

 greater part of them. Some are noticed in the accompanying list of plants observed. 



Respectfully, &c., 



J. G. COOPER, M. D. 



Captain G. B. MCCLELLAN, 



Corps of Engineers, Commanding Expedition. 



B. 

 SURVEY OF THE CASCADES. 



4. RAILROAD PRACTICABILITY OF THE CASCADES AND OF THE LINE OF THE SNOQUALME PASS, 

 BY CAPTAIN GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U. S. A., IN COMMAND OF THE WEST 

 ERN DIVISION. 



[The survey of the Snoqualme Pass was carried by Captain McClellan up the valley of the Yakima to three miles west of the 

 dividing ridge.] 



OLYMPIA, W. T., February 8, 1854. 



SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report upon the practicability of a railroad 

 across the Cascade mountains. 



The result of the explorations of the last summer has been to ascertain that, between the par 

 allels of 45 30 and 49 north latitude, there are but two passes through the range practicable 

 for a railroad : that of the Columbia river, and that in which the north and main fork of the 

 Yakima heads. 



I will first describe the latter heretofore erroneously called the Snoqualme, for the reason that 

 the river of that name, the south fork of the Sinahomish, was incorrectly supposed to head in it. 



The approach to this pass must be by the valley of the Yakima, crossing the Columbia any 

 where within fifteen miles above the junction of these two rivers. 



The Columbia here runs through a level and extensive sage plain, of a sandy soil; the 

 approaches are perfectly good ; the river about four hundred yards in width. 



No material for bridging exists immediately at hand. 



Excellent yellow pine grows abundantly on the Yakima, about one hundred miles from its 

 mouth, and can be floated down at high water with but little difficulty. 



