What is leprosy?

What is the historical importance of Leprosy?

• I am doing a Biology project and I need to know what is the historical importance of Leprosy (for example, did the disease cause migrations, kill a famous person, become a widespread epidemic?) PLEASEE HELP!!

• Answer:

  I found a site with some information for you. Famous people with leprosy * Aleijadinho, a Brazilian sculptor in the 1800s, had been disfigured by the disease for more than twenty years. * Baldwin IV, Latin King of Jerusalem (1161-1185, reigned 1174-1185) * Joseph (Jozef) de Veuster (Father Damien), a Roman Catholic missionary who helped lepers on the Hawaiian island of Molokai died of the disease * Henry (VII) of Germany, King of Sicily and Germany and Duke of Swabia * Hallgrímur Pétursson, one of Iceland's most famous poets and a priest, died from leprosy * Robert the Bruce of Scotland, was said to have leprosy and when his skull was unearthed it was missing the canine teeth – a likely skeletal sign of leprosy. Of interest: Ridley Scott's film Kingdom of Heaven, accurately depicts Baldwin IV, king of the short-lived Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, as suffering and dying from leprosy. (Directors Cut is only version worth seeing). I am pleased it was accurately depicted. The disease is caused by a mycobacterium which multiplies very slowly (once every two weeks compared to other bacteria, which can multiply anywhere from daily to every 20 minutes) and mainly affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes The disease is contagious and long ago there was no cure. It was a terrible disease because it literally caused features to fall off. People with leprosy were banished and lived in leper colonies, separate from healthy people. Hope this helps you. More information on the source link.