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 mucousmembrane 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
Meissner's corpuscles are small, nodular structures which penetrate the nerve cells. They contain spiral nerve fibrils which innervate tissues throughout the body, including the epidermis of the hands, fingers, feet, and the mucous membranes of the eyelid and tongue. They are strongly related to the tactile senses. Research Meissner's Corpuscles
Troilite, named after Dominico Troili, an Italian of the 18th century, is a native iron protosulphide, FeS. It is known only in meteoric irons, and is usually found in imbedded nodular masses of a bronze colour. Research Troilite
Websterite (also known as aluminite, hallite) is a white or grey nodular hydrous mineral named after the geologist Webster, is a hydrous sulphate of alumina occurring in white reniform masses. Websterite forms monoclinic crystals, generally too small to see with the naked eye. Research Websterite
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Leprosy
