Medicine and Slavery: The Diseases and Health Care of Blacks in Antebellum Virginia (Blacks in the New World)

Mr. Savitt documents the facts that slave were provided free clothing, food, shelter, and medical care. Blacks had the same diseases as whites and received the same medical treatments as whites. As expected, some diseases were more prevalent in one race or the other due to living conditions and genetics. This book does not dwell on the morality of slavery, but points out that slaves were expensive property that were needed for the operation of farms and industry, and were treated accordingly. Mr. Savitt discusses the fact that whippings of various types were used to maintain order, but points out that taking a slave out of service was a bad economic decision. Much of the information presented is backed up with copies of original source documents.“Medicine and Slavery” provides an accurate, well documented, balanced picture of the lives and care of the black population that does not coincide with the image that liberals want to present today. If you want an unbiased picture of the lives of blacks from a medical prospective, this is a good source.

Such a well written book. It's so good I have been getting other books written by this author. Great resource material.

A welcome addition to my collection of Black History

This really opened my eyes to what the slaves went through. Guinea pigs and no one to prevent it!

Thank you!

This book is an excellent secondary resource. Todd Savitt has compiled information usuing primary resources that allows the reader to understand the practical elements of health care for African Americans as well as poor whites during the antebellum time period.