Morocco and the Moors

Dr Arthur Leared's exploration of Morocco is recounted with personal anecdotes and insights into the people, their customs and land, from his travels in 1872. As a physician he was particularly interested in the native medical treatments, but also religion, superstition, the legal and governing systems, and daily Moroccan life.

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This travelogue by Dr Arthur Leared (1822–1879) follows his journey through Morocco during 1872, giving a comprehensive picture of the country and its people. At this time, Morocco was a French protectorate, ruled by the Alouite dynasty, comprising a mix of tribes, cultures, races and religions. Following Leared's route south, the geography, people, culture, legal and religious practices of Morocco are all explored thoroughly, with personal memories and anecdotes of daily life. As a physician and the inventor of the binaural stethoscope, Leared was interested in the advantages of the climate for treating respiratory diseases, particularly tuberculosis, and in native medical materials and practices. He subsequently became the physician at the Portuguese embassy, and planned the foundation of a sanatorium in Tangier. A vivid and balanced account of the country, as viewed from the stance of an objective traveller as the country began to open up to Europeans.