Derby’s Dose: Deplorable & Sickening Form of Torture Used to Punish Slaves in Jamaica

Derby’s Dose was a form of torture used in Jamaica to punish slaves who attempted to escape or committed other offenses like stealing food.

The punishment was invented by slave overseer Thomas Thistlewood, and was named after the slave, Derby, who was made to undergo this punishment when he was caught eating young sugar cane stalks in the field on May 25, 1756.

Another slave would defecate into the mouth of the miscreant, who would then be gagged for four to five hours.”

He was a prolific book buyer and reader.

He also practiced medicine on his slaves and was something of an expert in botany and horticulture.