pi^ 







-s#i^;; 



-286 



SLAVERY. 



have the fofow once. The scars which it leaves 

 upon the bodies of the negroes have a most 

 disgusting appearance ; for the wounds have in 

 some cases been of such long standing, and 

 have penetrated so deep as to have changed 

 the colour of the skin, which becomes of a 

 most loathsome white colour. * However, deep 

 wounds of any description have the same effect 

 upon £he negro skin. 



There are considerable numbers of white per- 

 sons and of colour who possess two or three 

 slaves, and share with them the daily labour, 

 even of the field. These slaves are, generally 



* Dr. Pinckard, in his " Notes on the West Indies," men- 

 tions that mercury was used for the complaint at Berbice, 

 with very little success. Mr. Edwards doubts " if medicine 

 of any kind is of use in this disease." This writer likewise 

 states that he had heard of the Gold Coast negroes inoculat- 

 ing their children with the complaint, and also the notion 

 which they have of the disease getting into the bone. Boling- 

 broke says, " No effectual cure has, I believe, ever been 

 found for it. Salivation will drive it in, but sulphur and 

 other opening medicines are now preferred to induce its 

 coming out ;" and again, " There are black women who in- 

 oculate their children for this disorder ; its violence is thereby 

 lessened." — Voyage to the Demerary, &c. p. 54. 



In the " Voyage a la Guiane et a Cayenne Jait en 1789 

 et annfes suivantes," I find that, speaking of the same dis- 

 order, " on la gagne tres-aisement avec les Indiennes qui en 

 sont presque toutes attaquees" It is supposed by Mr. Ed- 

 wards to be brought from Africa, and the same idea exists 

 in Brazil ; indeed it is less known among the Indians than 

 among the people of colour. 



