Question

why did dr. falconbridge consider a lack of fresh air among the most bearable sufferings of the slaves?
read the following excerpt from an account by a british doctor named falconbridge who traveled on a slave ship across the atlantic. then answer the questions that follow.
“the men negroes on being brought aboard are immediately fastened two by two by handcuffs on their wrists and by irons on their legs. they are frequently stowed packed so close as to admit of no other posture than lying on their sides... neither will the height between decks... permit them... an erect posture...
the negroes are far more violently affected by seasickness than europeans. it frequently ends in death, especially among the women. the exclusion lack of fresh air is amongst the most unbearable of their sufferings. many ships have ventilators openings, but whenever the sea is rough and the rain heavy, it becomes necessary to shut these and every other means by which air is admitted. the fresh air being thus excluded, the negroes’ rooms very soon become unbearably hot. the confined air being breathed repeatedly and the foul smells soon produce sickness and fevers which result in the death of a great number of slaves...
the slaves were so crowded that they had to lie upon one another. this causes such a death rate among them that, without meeting very stormy weather or having a longer voyage than usual, nearly half of them died before the ship arrived at the west indies.”

Explanation:

Dr. Falconbridge considered lack of fresh air one of the most unbearable sufferings because when air - vents were closed in rough weather, the air in slaves' quarters became hot, foul, and caused sickness and fevers leading to high death - rates.

Answer:

Because when air - vents were closed in rough weather, the air in slaves' quarters became hot, foul, causing sickness and fevers that led to high death - rates.