Overview

Leprosy is a chronic infectious diseases that attacks the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract. The disfiguring disease has long been feared by the general public and, unfortunately, its victims have been misunderstood and despised throughout history.

Historically speaking, there are two types of conditions described as leprosy. One is the biblical leprosy described in the book of Leviticus, which was viewed as the result of terrible sin and Jewish law demanded that the afflicted be cast out. The other form is a bacterial leprosy caused by an organism related to tuberculosis called Mycobacterium leprae. During the Middle Ages, the two forms (moral and medical) were confused and the attributes of the bacterial variety acquired the stigma of the Biblical leprosy. In the Middle Ages those who were deemed lepers were cast out of their homes and left to wander alone...