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Knowledge of this widespread affliction of mankind has its root in Biblical history. Called “Hansen’s disease” today, this organism is closely akin to the tubercle bacillus and belongs to the Mycobacterium family. Ten to twenty million persons in the world are affected with leprosy. It is more common in tropical countries; in many third world nations 1-2% or more of the population are affected. Leprosy is frequently a family infection. Several different types of the disease are known.

Early leprosy is usually seen on the skin with pigmented plaques and patches demonstrating anesthesia. The tuberculoid leprosy develops later with larger raised lesions having no sensation (anesthesia) associated with large painful nerves. These may occur behind the elbow or knee and are associated with anesthesia in the affected limb. Contractures of the hands and foot drop (paralysis) are frequent. Trauma, especially from burns and splinters, and excessive pressure lead to the secondary infection, ulcers, and the loss of fingers and toes.

Lepromatous leprosy creates an unusual appearance of the face, often making the hapless victim appear like a lion. The skin is primarily involved and early symptoms are those of nasal stuffiness or nose bleeds. Saddle nose, due to perforation of the septum (the wall between the two nostrils) may occur while lymph nodes may enlarge painlessly.

Although neurological involvement is less common, this type is actually more contagious. Other types of leprosy are seen with variations of the above. Although a specific drug (Dapsone) is widely used today, in reality there is no complete cure. It is suspected on the basis of animal studies that some form of fever induction may prove the therapy of the future, with public health control measures and quarantine limiting the spread. For further information you may wish to contact the following: Leprosy Research Foundation, I1588 Lawton Court, Loma Linda, California 92354.

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