USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Death from diseases usually came quickly and painfully. It is estimated that 6-10% of all emigrants of the trails succumbed to some form of illness. Of the estimated 350, 000 who started the journey, disease may have claimed as many as 30, 000 victims.

Detailed explanation-2: -Illness claimed the lives of as many as 30, 000 victims, for an average of about 10 to 15 deaths per mile.

Detailed explanation-3: -Emigrants feared death from a variety of causes along the trail: lack of food or water; Indian attacks; accidents or rattlesnake bites were a few. But the number one killer, by a wide margin, was disease. The most dangerous diseases were those spread by poor sanitary conditions and personal contact.

Detailed explanation-4: -Dysentery, smallpox, measles, mumps, and influenza were among the diseases named in diaries and journals, but cholera, mountain fever, and scurvy were probably the biggest killers.

Detailed explanation-5: -Major threats to pioneer life and limb came from accidents, exhaustion, and disease. Crossing rivers were probably the most dangerous thing pioneers did. Swollen rivers could tip over and drown both people and oxen. Such accidents could cause the loss of life and most or all of valuable supplies.