Western University of Health Sciences

FEATURES
“…altogether revealing, instructive and entertaining. One of the most
rewarding reads of the Bicentennial.”
— Dave Walter, Montana Historical Society
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION REVISITED IN COMP
ALUMNUS BOOK Growing up amid the scenic wilderness of
By Roy Greer his mother’s native western Montana, a young,
nature-loving David Peck could hardly have been
accused of secretly harboring literary aspirations.
“I was a kid who dropped out of my senior high
school creative writing class because I found out
there was going to be homework!” Peck recalls,
amused by the ironic twist of his life. The 1987
COMP alumnus and San Diego-based urgent-care
physician has exceeded his own expectations
with a book that explores his fascination with
the historic Lewis and Clark expedition.
Or Perish in the Attempt, Wilderness
Medicine in the Lewis & Clark Expedition examines
a. b.
a
b
Flyfishing in the same stretch of the Missouri River
paddled by Lewis and Clark in July 1805, near Craig,
Mont., Dr. Peck shows a catch before releasing it.
DO and author David Peck, scrubs and
stethoscope in tow.
medicine and science as conceived and practiced
in the early 19th century. The numerous wilderness
adventures and hardships that threatened
the expedition team in the hostile environment of
unexplored America of 1804-1806 are documented,
with emphasis on the essential role of
wilderness medicine in the lives of the explorers
during the 8,000-mile trek. The book is based on
a compilation of research findings, actual firstperson
accounts from the famous expedition,
and anecdotal information from Peck’s many
8 Summer 2004 www.westernu.edu