THE SLAVES OF MERCY

Abstract

This article analyzes the relationship of the Holly House of Mercy of Pará with their own slaves, along the 19th century. Based on documents produced by the presidents of the Province of Pará and the Holly House providers' reports, the article presents a historical account of the treatment dispensed to the slaves, the tasks were asked to perform, the conditions provided for such tasks, the importance of the slave work force as a source of income for the institution, the slaves' role during times of epidemics diseases, the diseases they were subjected to and the treatment they received. The research shows that, if eventually they used the institution medical services, it wouldn't be in hospitals as Holly House of Mercy that the slaves would find support to express their distress under the pressures of servitude. Keywords: Holly House of Mercy of Pará, hospital, slavery.