While working on plantations in the Southern United States, many slaves faced serious health problems(Littlefield). Improper nutrition, unsanitary living conditions, and excessive labor made slaves more susceptible to diseases than their masters. Death rates among the slaves were significantly higher due to diseases. “Many slaves suffered from tuberculosis, hepatitis, measles, chickenpox, cholera, whooping cough and influenza, among others”(Weatherspoon). Slaves were treated very badly, so they got lots of diseases. These infections and illnesses resulted in death for many slaves.
Slave masters often tried to cure their ill slaves before they sent their slaves to a doctor. Slave owners wishing to save money