Leprosy in Medieval and Islamic Societies

Might also be helpful for phantasmal studies even though its a history paper

        Secular medicine and its attitudes towards leprosy in medieval Christian and Muslim communities were

influenced by social and religious traditions. need of real medical knowledge allowed these influences to affect the

discernment and treatment of disease, as well as the status of the leper in society. Medieval views of leprosy in

Christian and Islamic societies illustrated these ideas. Despite their different cultures and religions, in that location were some

similar and analogous trains of thought in the understanding of this disease, but different attitudes prevailed as well.

        Treatment and understanding of leprosy in European society reflected many Christian ideas. devotion of contagion

and the unpleasant sight of the diseases symptoms led to the use of separating the leper from the rest of society

(Palmer, p.80). This practice also reflected the biblical idea of the leper found in Leviticus, which calls for the unclean

leper to be cut off completely from society. In some areas priests performed Levitical rituals of separating the leper from

society (Palmer, p.81). Lepers had their own special hospitals and churches outside of town and city walls, and had to

dress in special garb identifying their affliction. Leper hospitals were under civic lead, but religious influence

manifested itself in these institutions.



At a hospital in Verona, Italy, statutes unavoidable incoming patients confess to the

hospital chaplain to gain admission (Palmer, p.85). Lepers could lose reasoned rights in some areas; being considered already

dead, their wives could remarry and they could lose control of their will (Palmer, p.81).

        Ideas as to the cause and treatment differed, but there were two main conflicting themes regarding the cause

found in medieval Christian society. One idea of the cause of leprosy was sin. Sin in this content especially meant lechery.

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