The Probert Encyclopaedia of Medicine

LEPROSY

Leprsosy is an infective disease which runs a very chronic course, and occurs in different forms. In nodular leprosy there are bouts of fever, with nodules in the skin and mucous membranes. In anaesthetic leprosy there are at first areas of redness over the body, with a macular rash, malaise, chills and vague pains, and later areas of anaesthesia develop, with insensibility to touch, heat and cold, and pain. In later cases of both types ulceration is common, and in anaesthetic leprosy there may be loss of fingers and toes or other parts from gangrene. In nodular
leprosy the mucous membrane of the nose and mouth is involved, with loss of speech, and ulceration and scarring of the lips and tongue. The skin becomes dry like parchment, and the general expression is grave and heavy. The disease is very chronic and the two types often become merged, with symptoms of both types. There may be remissions or arrest of symptoms, but more commonly death occurs from tuberculosis, exhaustion, or renal failure after twenty years or more.
Research Leprosy