4. Death Was Common, Especially Through Disease and Drowning
The pioneers knew the trail would be tough and that injury or death could happen, however, many were unaware of how dangerous the path was until they were part of a wagon train. There were many steep hills, high rivers that were fast-flowing, and other dangers along the trail that would contribute to injury or death. Many pioneers drowned while trying to cross the rivers. In fact, drownings were the second cause of death on the Oregon Trail. The first cause was disease. Between the years 1840 to 1860 as many as 300 emigrants drowned while trying to cross rivers along the Oregon Trail.
Disease would spread quickly along the wagon train because everyone was in close quarters every day with everyone else. While the sick were kept in the back of the wagon, they were still cared for not only by their family members but sometimes by members of another family. One of the most significant diseases that claimed many lives was cholera. This disease is spread through contaminated water and food. The only source of water for the emigrants on the wagon trains were the rivers and ponds, which could easily cause cholera. The two key symptoms of this disease are dehydration and diarrhea. The virus could also cause seizures.
There usually was no doctor or supplies to treat any disease along the Oregon Trail so many emigrants would quickly succumb to their illness. It would only take a matter of hours for a person who was suffering from Cholera to pass away. Of course, there is no other place to bury those who died during the travel but on the side of the Oregon Trail. It is believed that about 10,000 people died during the history of the Oregon Trail. It is also stated that by the end of the Oregon Trail. By 1860, there were about ten graves in each mile along the Oregon Trail.