HSS Elizabeth Paris Lecture: Of Desperation and Dirt-Eating: Ret
- Free
- For Teachers and Families
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514 Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130
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Nov. 16, 2025: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Description
Descriptions of Cachexia Africana or dirt eating, a mysterious affliction of enslaved populations, peppered medical treatises and plantation guidebooks that circulated throughout slave societies of the Atlantic World. Dirt eating was notorious for leaving slaves so debilitated that they could no longer work; it caused panic among planters concerned with productivity and left white physicians largely powerless to treat it. Competing theories about dirt eating abounded, alongside suspicions of slaves who fell victim to it.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum offers engaging and educational field trips for students from 3rd grade through high school, as well as homeschool groups and college-level tours. Our one-hour field trips include a guided tour of the museum and a hands-on activity designed to bring history to life. We are committed to making our programs a valuable resource for educators by aligning our lessons with Louisiana Student Standards. Activities can be tailored to complement what students are currently studying in the classroom, ensuring a meaningful and relevant learning experience. Through our programs, we aim to give students greater access to the French Quarter as a historic district, helping them connect with the city’s rich history in an interactive way. We also welcome opportunities to collaborate with other educational organizations to enhance learning experiences for students.
For more information or to schedule a field trip, please contact us!
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Created:
Oct. 31, 2025, 5:45 p.m. -
Published:
Oct. 31, 2025, 5:45 p.m.