Leprosy

What was leprosy?

Leprosy was a painful skin disease which resulted in internal and external ulcers and the loss of hair, fingers and toes. Patients would suffer from paralysis and eventually die.

What did people believe about the causes of leprosy?

Many people believed that diseases were sent as a punishment by God. Leprosy was mentioned in the Bible and this made the belief more popular.

What was the cure for leprosy?

There was no cure for leprosy, so people were often cast out from communities. However, a few lazar houses were set up to help care for those with the illness.

How did people believe leprosy was spread?

People wrongly believed that the breath of a leper was contagious.

How did medieval people try to stop the spread of leprosy?

There were 3 main ways to prevent the spread of leprosy:

• ❖ Isolate lepers from the community by casting them out.
• ❖ They had to wear a cloak and frequently ring a bell if they were in towns. This was so that other people were warned of their presence.
• ❖ To ensure they remained at a distance from others, they were not allowed to enter narrow alleyways.