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Leprosy or Hansen's disease is a chronic disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Whether and where leprosy existed in ancient times is difficult to determine. There is no direct evidence that the Children of Israel, when in the land of Goshen, suffered from leprosy, but it is of interest to note an article by Yeoli which tells of the finding of a clay jar in a section of the Amenophis III temple. On this jar is depicted a face which is very similar to that of a sufferer from lepromatous leprosy, and, for comparison, alongside the photograph of the jar have been placed two pictures showing advanced nodular leprosy as seen today. In January 2002, the World Health Organization announced leprosy no longer constituted a global public health problem. The difference is that now leprosy is curable.

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Leprosy was a disease that caused people to become outcasts in ancient and historical times. Not knowing the cause, it was variously believed to be a hereditary disease, a curse, or a punishment from God. Leper colonies, including one in Hawaii, have been common place. In current times, the disease is more understood Nerve damage, disfigurement and disability are managed by current drugs and a vaccine is being sought.

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15y ago

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