1- African healers diviners and herbalists practicing medicine
During slavery, there were few free blacks who lived in both urban and rural settings. Some of those were practicing physicians. As in Haiti, the slaves brought their African lore with them and among those physicians, were herbalists and diviners. This image depicts African healers and herbalists practicing medicine in the American South during the 18th or 19th century.
2- Slave status of chattel required permission for medical care
As a result of their bondage, slaves were in a difficult position with regard to caring for themselves. When they were ill, their choice was limited. Most masters demanded to be informed of the illness because the slaves were a property and a commodity.
3- African healers providing traditional medicine in American South
Given the Negro slaves were not used to western medicine, they felt reluctant to submit to the prescriptions of white medical practitioners. They self-treated and relied on advice by friends or other relatives who had suffered similar ailments. Many slaves depended on the Negro herb and root doctors or on influential conjured doctors among the local black population.
4- Slaves are not allowed to have a day off to recover when sick
Sudden illness did not entitle a slave to take time off from work to recover. Since they were expected to report their illness to their master, to treat his illness, a slave had to conceal that he was sick. They therefore reported the illness only when it had progressed so far to a serious stage.
5- Slaves used both African healing and Western medical treatment
So the acutely sick slave was in a constant dilemma; the result was a dual system in which he received treatment both from white masters’ physicians and from conjured doctors. Some slaves did not even recourse to any doctors. They developed or retained their ancient African heritage, their own brand of care, practice, and rituals.
images depicting the dual medical system used by enslaved individuals in the American South, highlighting both traditional African healing and Western medical treatment
6- A slave receiving medicinal herbs and roots from a fellow worker
Though certain owners were willing to allow a small amount of freedom to those slaves to treat minor ailment at home, most masters did not allow their slaves to care for themselves. This image is depicting an African laborer receiving medicinal herbs and roots from a fellow worker while continuing to work on a plantation.
7- African remedies circulating secretly through the slaves’ quarters
Yet, Africans’ home remedies circulated secretly through the slaves’ quarters and were passed down privately from generation to generation. Most of the cures were derived, as in Africa, from local plants, and from medicines that had superstitious value only.
8- An African healer tending to a very sick slave in a wooden cabin
Because Negroes practiced medicine in every corner of the Old Dominion and because their method was based partially on superstition, problems occasionally arose. The source of the problem was not the misuse of the remedies but the prescription of so-called “conjured doctors.”
9- African healer treating his master's illness with a liquid potion
They presented themselves as perpetuators of sicknesses on anyone they wished by using spell. They were indeed root doctors who practiced in the lower south, but they also practiced in Virginia. Sometimes, their treatment provided a cure for the ailment. In 1792, Governor Gooch emancipated a slave for revealing his secret cure for venereal disease and yaws.
9- African healer treating his master's illness with a liquid potion
They presented themselves as perpetuators of sicknesses on anyone they wished by using spell. They were indeed root doctors who practiced in the lower south, but they also practiced in Virginia. Sometimes, their treatment provided a cure for the ailment. In 1792, Governor Gooch emancipated a slave for revealing his secret cure for venereal disease and yaws.
