slaves were generally poorly fed and had minimal clothing and places to sleep. household servants usually did better as they got the old clothes of their master's family and had access to better quality food. slaves suffered from poor health in the heat and humidity of the south. because of their poor diet and unsanitary living conditions, they frequently suffered from diseases. the rice plantations were the most deadly for slaves. they stood in water for most of the day under the hot sun. malaria was a common disease. the mortality rate was highest among slave children. it averaged about 66 % generally and was as high as 90 % on rice plantations.