ABSTRACT
Primary source documents, with the exception of many of the oral histories and narratives of enslaved Africans, tend to support the views and experience of the slaveowners. The primary source documents on enslavement and medicine follow the themes of instruction and edification to the slaveowning class—teaching them how to care for Africans. Advertisements and announcements for the sale of enslaved Africans contain valuable information about the social status of slaves in the United States. The Black Codes defined slavery for the African—it specified in detail the limitations on his life. Abolitionists frequently pointed out the abuses of the medical field with regard to enslaved African people. Former enslaved Africans commented upon the state of medical care and their own participation during the institution of enslavement. Enslavement and medicine scholars often discuss the issue of medical experimentation upon enslaved Africans. Eurocentric discussions regarding the African's participation in his/her medical health are categorized as either magico-religious or folk herbalism.
