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The Leper in England: with some account of English lazar-houses cover

The Leper in England: with some account of English lazar-houses

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About This Book

The author surveys historical and medical understandings of leprosy, distinguishing the skin afflictions described in Scripture from the later medieval disease. He outlines biblical ritual classifications and priestly procedures and contrasts these with medieval conceptions of contagion, pathology, and social exclusion. The narrative documents the foundation, administration, and physical traces of lazar houses and leper wells across England. It examines the legal and social status of those labeled lepers, their enforced seclusion, charitable support, and contemporary medical opinions. An appendix and notes compile antiquarian and medical sources, site lists, and observations drawn from earlier authorities.

About the Author

Hope, Robert Charles portrait

Robert Charles Hope

Robert Charles Hope was a notable figure in the study of leprosy and its historical context in England. His work, "The Leper in England: with some account of English lazar-houses," provides a detailed examination of the social and medical aspects of leprosy during the medieval period. Hope's research sheds light on the treatment and societal perceptions of leprosy, as well as the establishment of lazar-houses, which were designated facilities for those afflicted by the disease. His contributions to the understanding of this topic remain significant in the fields of medical history and social studies.

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