“Such an Asylum of Wretchedness”

Abstract

Creating safe havens for the Africans seized on board slave ships was from early on a necessity for all those involved in putting into practice abolitionist policies throughout the Atlantic. This chapter examines the scope and limitations of the most important Atlantic reception centers, while exploring their impact on the places where they were located. It also considers a number of relevant issues related to the postcapture experiences of these Africans, including their mortality and morbidity figures for the period that followed their landing on or near these reception centers. Finally, it offers a discussion of the experiences of medical practitioners in charge of these centers and of the methods used by them to treat diseases.