feared affliction in the ancient world. Though the
term leprosy was broadly applied to a number of
painful and lonely death.
caused numbness that made the skin lose sensation so that lep-
ers could injure themselves yet feel no pain. Meanwhile, spasms
of internal pain wracked the body. Muscles weakened, sometimes
to the point of paralysis--especially in the hands and feet, which
also were covered with ulcers. Blindness was not unusual. The
disease was highly contagious and spread through a particular
strain of bacteria. If a person was misdiagnosed and sent away
soon catch the disease.
sions were destroyed. As the Bible mandated, the
inside of a leper's house was cleansed by fire. In
Palestine, lepers were banned from the Temple as
well as the city of Jerusalem or any other walled
city. It was illegal to greet a leper, let alone have
any direct contact with one. For their part, lep-
ers were required to shout "unclean!" whenever
people were around so they could avoid contact.
To touch a leper in any way was to be ceremoni-
ally unclean.