Stan,

Just so we understand the "whole story" regarding the source of the Venereal Diseases encountered by the Lewis & Clark expedition, here's an excerpt from a review of the recent book Venereal Disease and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (Hardcover) by Thomas P. Lowry.

"Lowry gives a brief history of gonorrhea and syphilis, especially of the latter, and says that they were most likely given to the Indians by the French, British, and Spanish adventurers that had visited the area. Lewis and Clark knew this, and they took pains to be prepared."

I just want it to be clear that it wasn't the filthy Indians who were the source of the disease, though I must say some of the sexual customs of the tribes encountered, each tribe was different, did contribute to the initial infection and the subsequent spreading of the disease. Of course, it takes two to tango, so these gentlemen didn't get the disease from a public toilet or a swimming pool.

Sorry, but I'm a little sensitive about off-handed remarks regarding Native-Americans that perpetuate or reinforce stereotypes.

Jim