MEDICINE FOR SLAVES
MEDICINE FOR SLAVES

While it is certainly true that slavery was brutal, inhumane and a terrible practice, at least some slaves received medical treatment including vaccination for small pox as shown from this most unusual bill from Dr. Samuel T. Kemp of Trappe covering the years 1845-1847. Slaves were expensive and any that were sick could not work, so at least some owners like the Worrels were interested in keeping them healthy, if for no other reason than protecting their investment. Slaves lived in crowded quarters which were extremely unsanitary, even by the poor standards of the day, so they were especially vulnerable to contagious diseases. Quinine was used to treat malaria in Europe as early as 1640. it is not known exactly what Mist: Opthal was, presumably some sort of treatment for eye problems. Jule was short for julep, a sweet drink used to administer medicine. Cath was an abbreviation for a cathartic, something that purged the bowels.

Mrs. Nancy Worrell To Saml. T. Kemp Dr.

1845 Jun. 15 To a visit 2.00 Neg[ro] Daphny U.S. 500 pill: Cath 37 1/2 do. $ 2.87 1.2
July 17 “ vaccinating Neg[ro] Henriete of Mr. Willis 1.00... 1.00
Sept. 20th “ a visit via 1.50 Libi (Oct. 23d.) a visit via 1.25 neg[ro] Leon... 2.75
Dec. 18th “ a visit via 1.50 negr. vaccinating 3 @ 50. 1.50.. 3.00
1846 Jany. 20th “ a visit 2.00 Libi (30th) visit 1.50 neg[ro] Tom at H[ole] in [the] Wall.. 3.50
March 18th “ a visit 2.00 neg[ro] Betsy U.S. 50 dr. (April 7th.) visit 2.00 Libi. U.S. 50 .. 5.00
July 25th “ visit via 1.00 negr[o] (26th) visit via 1.00 (27th) visit via 1.00 do. ... 3.00
August 7th “ a visit via 1.00 negr[o]. Jerry (Sept. 24) visit 2.00 Daphny.. 3.00
Sept. 25th. “ a visit 2.00 do. Mist: Quinine 25 do... 2.25
Nov. 24 “ a visit 50 neg[ro] Leon Mist: Opthal: 50 do. ... 1.00
1847 Jany. 14th “ a visit 2.00 Libi U.S. 50 do. U.S. 50 neg[ro] Maria Jule: Cath 37 1/2 .. 3.37 1/2
Feby. 14th. a visit 2.00 do....                                                                            $30.75
                                                                                                                       2.00
                                                                                                                     32.75
1847 Feby. 20th received the amt. of the above account in full
by the hand of Mr. Thomas C. Worrell
Saml. T. Kemp
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