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Dimensions and Determinants of Early Childhood Health and Mortality Among American Slaves

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  • Richard H. Steckel

Abstract

This paper relies on birth and death lists from plantation records to investigate the causes of low birth weight and poor health of young slave children. The sources of deprivation can be traced to the fetal period. The slave work routine was arduous overall and particularily intense during planting, hoeing, and harvesting. These demands combined with seasonal fluctuations in disease and in the quality of the diet implied that few newborns had escaped stress on intrauterine growth. Starchy food supplements given soon after birth and poor sanitation surrounding feeding provided a poor environment for growth during the first year of life.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard H. Steckel, 1985. "Dimensions and Determinants of Early Childhood Health and Mortality Among American Slaves," NBER Working Papers 1662, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:1662
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sutch, Richard, 1975. "The treatment received by American slaves: A critical review of the evidence presented in Time on the Cross," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 335-438, October.
    2. Steckel, Richard H., 1979. "Slave height profiles from coastwise manifests," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 16(4), pages 363-380, October.
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