A Tour from Gibraltar to Tangier, Sallee, Mogodore, Santa Cruz, Tarudant; and Thence Over Mount Atlas to Morocco: Including a Particular Account of the Royal Harem, Etc
Dublin Core
Title
A Tour from Gibraltar to Tangier, Sallee, Mogodore, Santa Cruz, Tarudant; and Thence Over Mount Atlas to Morocco: Including a Particular Account of the Royal Harem, Etc
Subject
Enslaved People
Description
This account shows the medical beliefs in Morocco surrounding leprosy, particularly in the enslaved Moor population.
Creator
William Lempriere
Source
National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Health
[http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/2561019R]
[http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/2561019R]
Publisher
T. Dobson
Date
1794
Contributor
Brayden Milam
Rights
Public Domain
Format
Book, print
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Morocco 18th Century
United States 18th Century
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
20 A TOUR TO MOROCCO, &C.
tiguous to Turkey, whence it is fuppofed ufually
to proceed.
The caufe of the hydrocele fo frequently occur-
ring in this country feems to be in a great meafure
the loofe drefs of the Moors, and the great relaxa-
tion which is induced by the warmth of the cli-
mate*. The ophthalmy, 01 inflammation' of the
eyes, is evidently occafioned by their being expofed
to the reflection of the fun from the houfes, which
are univerfally whitened over. To this inconveni-
ence the Moors are mote particularly fubject, from
their drefs not being calculated to keep off the rays
of the fun, and from no perfon being allowed the
ufe of an umbrella except the emperor.
The leprous affection appears to be hereditary,
for I was informed that it has been frequently
traced back from one family to another for feveral
generations, and it has all the appearance of being
the true leprofy of the antients. It breaks out in
great blotches over the whole body, in fome few
forming one continual fore, which frequently heals
up, and at ftated times breaks out afrefh, but is
never thoroughly cured. During my refidence at
Morocco, I had frequent opportunities of trying
a variety of remedies for this complaint, but I
never fucceeded further than a temporary cure,
for upon difcontinuing the medicines the difeafe
was certain to return. The white fwellings and
dropfies probably arife from poor living; three
* The medical reader will probably fee a further caufe
for the frequency of this complaint, in the great indulgence
which the Moors allow themfelves in certain pleafures, and
the application of the warm bath immediately after.
parts
tiguous to Turkey, whence it is fuppofed ufually
to proceed.
The caufe of the hydrocele fo frequently occur-
ring in this country feems to be in a great meafure
the loofe drefs of the Moors, and the great relaxa-
tion which is induced by the warmth of the cli-
mate*. The ophthalmy, 01 inflammation' of the
eyes, is evidently occafioned by their being expofed
to the reflection of the fun from the houfes, which
are univerfally whitened over. To this inconveni-
ence the Moors are mote particularly fubject, from
their drefs not being calculated to keep off the rays
of the fun, and from no perfon being allowed the
ufe of an umbrella except the emperor.
The leprous affection appears to be hereditary,
for I was informed that it has been frequently
traced back from one family to another for feveral
generations, and it has all the appearance of being
the true leprofy of the antients. It breaks out in
great blotches over the whole body, in fome few
forming one continual fore, which frequently heals
up, and at ftated times breaks out afrefh, but is
never thoroughly cured. During my refidence at
Morocco, I had frequent opportunities of trying
a variety of remedies for this complaint, but I
never fucceeded further than a temporary cure,
for upon difcontinuing the medicines the difeafe
was certain to return. The white fwellings and
dropfies probably arife from poor living; three
* The medical reader will probably fee a further caufe
for the frequency of this complaint, in the great indulgence
which the Moors allow themfelves in certain pleafures, and
the application of the warm bath immediately after.
parts
Original Format
Book, paper
Geolocation
Citation
William Lempriere, “A Tour from Gibraltar to Tangier, Sallee, Mogodore, Santa Cruz, Tarudant; and Thence Over Mount Atlas to Morocco: Including a Particular Account of the Royal Harem, Etc,” Digital Histories, accessed November 21, 2024, https://digitalhistories.kennesaw.edu/items/show/26.