SLAVERY. 



257 



and dies almost a skeleton. One of the means 

 which it is very generally said that these miser- 

 able beings employ for the purpose of destroying 

 themselves, is that of eating considerable quan- 

 tities of lime and earth, which either produces 

 emaciation or dropsy. But it is strange that a 

 habit of eating lime and earth should be con- 

 tracted in some instances by African and like- 

 wise by Creole children, and as frequently by 

 free children as by those who are in slavery. 

 This practice is not treated as if it were a dis- 

 order, but it is accounted a habit, which, by at- 

 tention from those who have the charge of the 

 children — in watching and punishing them, 

 may be conquered without the aid of rnedi-* 

 cine. I know of some instances in which lib 

 medical treatment was deemed necessary, but 

 the individuals recovered by means of chastise- 

 ment and constant vigilance. It is a subject 

 upon which I was often led to converse, and I 

 discovered that most of the free-born families 

 w r ere acquainted with the practice from ex- 

 perience among their own children, or those of 

 their neighbours, and that they always consi- 

 dered it as a habit and not as a disease. Among 

 adults, however, slaves are infinitely more sub- 

 ject to it than free persons. * 



* I merely state what is the general idea upon the subject 

 In that country, without giving an opinion upon the general 



VOL. II. 



