Negro Caesar and his cures for poisoning, including snakebite

 

1. Negro Caesar and his cures for poisoning, including snakebiteⁱ

Caesar was an old slave in 1760 who won renown amongst white planters for concocting a medicine that would cure poisoning.

Caesar first appears in the written records of South Carolina in the autumn of 1749. On November 24th of that year, an unidentified member of the provincial Commons House of Assembly mentioned to his colleagues “that there is a Negro man named Caesar belonging to Mr. John Norman of Beach [sic; Beech] Hill, who had cured several of the inhabitants of this province who had been poisoned by slaves.” The anonymous speaker also mentioned “that the said Negro man Caesar was willing to make a discovery [that is, revelation] of the remedy which he makes use of in such cases for a reasonable reward.” After a brief discussion of the topic, the members of the Commons House “resolved that a committee be appointed . . . to consider of the services done by the said Negro called Caesar. And to report the same, as it shall appear to them, with their opinion thereupon, to the House. As also to consider of and report what reward the said Negro man Caesar shall merit for his services.”

The members of the committee summoned and interviewed at least four well-respected White planters in the Lowcountry (including Henry Middleton). All reported that they or a member of their family had suffered from unidentified ailments, thought to be poison, which miraculously disappeared after drinking a decoction of medicinal herbs provided by the enslaved man Caesar.

In return for his freedom and an annual stipend, Caesar dictated the following (as it appeared in the SC Gazette on 4 March 1751)

THE CURE FOR POISON

Take the roots of Plantane and wild Hoare-hound, fresh or dried, three ounces; boil them together in two quarts of water to one quart, and strain it; of this decoction let the patient take one third part three mornings, fasting successively, from which is he finds any relief, it must be continued till he is perfectly recovered. On the contrary, if he finds no alteration after the third dose, it is a sign that the patient has either not been poisoned at all, or that it has been with such poison as Caesar’s antidotes will not remedy, so may leave off the decoction. During the cure the patient must live on a spare diet, and abstain from eating mutton, pork, butter, or any other fat or oily food.

N.B. The Plantane or Hoar Hound will, either of them, cure alone, but they are most efficacious together.

In summer you may take one handful of the roots and branches of each, in place of three ounces of the roots of each.

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For drink during the cure, let them take the following.

Take of the roots of Golden Rod, six ounces, or in summer two large handfuls of the roots and branches together, and boil them in two quarts of water to one quart (to which also may be added a little Hoare Hound and sassafras); to this decoction, after it is strained, add a glass of rum or brandy, and sweeten it with sugar for ordinary drink.

 

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Sometimes an inward fever attends such as are poisoned for which he orders the following,

Take a pint of wood ashes and three pints of water; stir and mix them well together; let them stand all night, and strain or decant the lye of[f] in the morning, of which ten ounces may be taken six mornings following, warmed or cold, according to the weather. These medicines have no sensible operation, though sometimes they work in the bowels, and give a gentle stool.

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The symptoms attending such as are poisoned are as follows,

A pain in the breast, difficulty in breathing, a load at the pit of the stomach, an irregular pulse, burning and violent pains of the viscera above and below the navel, very restless at night, sometimes wandering pains over the whole body, a reaching [i.e., retching] and inclination to vomit, profuse sweats (which prove always serviceable), slimy stools both when costive and loose, the face of a pale and yellow colour, sometimes a pain and inflamation of the throat; the appetite is generally weak, and some cannot eat any; those who have been long poisoned are generally very feeble and weak in their limbs, sometimes spit a great deal; the whole skin peals, and likewise the hair falls out.

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Caesar’s Cure for the Bite of A Rattle-Snake.

Take the roots of Plantane or Hoare Hound (in summer roots and branches together) a sufficient quantity; bruise them in a mortar, and squeeze out the juice, of which give, as soon as possible, one large spoonful; if he is swelled you must force it down his throat. This generally will cure, but, if the patient finds no relief in an hour after, you may give another spoonful, which never fails.

If the roots are dried, they must be moistened with a little water.

To the wound may be applied a leaf of good tobacco moistened with rum.