Religious and Social Responses
In many ancient societies, leprosy was associated with divine punishment or moral failing, which greatly influenced treatment approaches. Leprosy sufferers were often isolated in leprosaria or colonies, reflecting the fear of contagion.
For example, the Hebrew Bible contains references to “tzaraath,” a term often translated as leprosy, with strict rules about quarantine and ritual cleansing. People with leprosy were declared “unclean” and excluded from society, highlighting the social stigma and religious context that shaped responses to the disease.
Leprosy in Medieval Europe
During the Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries), leprosy became widespread across Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was sometimes called the “Great Disfigurement” due to the visible deformities it caused.
Physicians of the time had little effective treatment for the disease. Instead, responses were largely governed by social, religious, and legal codes.
- Leper Colonies and Hospitals: To prevent the spread, many countries established isolated leper hospitals (leprosaria) or colonies where patients were quarantined. These institutions provided basic care, food, and shelter but did not cure the disease.
- Medical Treatments: Treatments were based on humoral theory—the dominant medical paradigm of the time—which posited that disease resulted from imbalances of bodily fluids (blood, phlegm, black bile, yellow bile). Physicians attempted bloodletting, purging, and applying herbal concoctions to “balance” humors.
- Religious Interventions: Pilgrimages, prayers, and blessings were common as leprosy was seen as a spiritual affliction. Some believed in miraculous cures at holy sites, such as the shrine of St. Lazarus or Santiago de Compostela.
- Dietary Recommendations: Physicians recommended dietary adjustments to strengthen the body, including milk, meat, and herbs. However, none had curative power against the disease.
Notable Medieval Medical Writers on Leprosy
- Guy de Chauliac (1300–1368): A leading French surgeon, Guy described leprosy and emphasized surgical removal of affected tissue, though such treatments were mostly ineffective.
- Avicenna (Ibn Sina, 980–1037): In his Canon of Medicine, Avicenna described symptoms of leprosy and recommended topical treatments with ointments containing ingredients like mercury and arsenic, reflecting early attempts at chemical therapy. shutdown123