The stench of the hold while we were on the coast[of africa] was intolerably loathsome that it was dangerous to remain there for any time, and some of us had been permitted to stay on the deck for the fresh air, but now that the whole ship’s cargo were confined together it became absolutely pestilential. The closeness of the place and the heat of the climate, crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us. This produced copious perspiration, so that the air soon became unfit for respiration from a variety of smells, and brought on a sickness among the slaves, of which many died, thus falling victims to the improvident avarice, as i may call it, of their purchasers. This wretched situation was again aggravated by the galling of the chains, now become insupportable; and the filth of the necessary tubs, into which the children often fell and were almost suffocated. The shrieks of the women and the groans of the dying soon rendered the whole scene of horror almost inconceivable.
Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narravitive of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavas Vassa the African. (via descroissants)

Source: descroissants