Medieval dermatological hospitaller orders

Dermatological lesions were long regarded with suspicion bringing to mind the admonitions detailed in the Old Testament (Lev 13, 1-46). When the lesions became chronic, a suspicion of leprosy was made and the person thus affected was made to "wear torn clothes, leave his hair uncombed, cover the lower part of his face, and call out, Unclean Unclean!. He remains unclean as long as he has the disease, and he must live outside the camp, away from others" (Lev 13, 45-46). Those diagnosed as lepers were considered as living dead with the loss of their rights and belongings. During the Medieval period, this outlook was tempered by the concept of nursing being a Christian duty which led to the establishment of several leprosaria throughout Europe and the Middle East. The latter establishment was in the 12th century to be organised in a formal hospitaller Order.peer-reviewe