Lepers, Middle East, early 20th century. Leprosy is a neurological disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. The damage to the nerves lead

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Lepers, Middle East, early 20th century. Leprosy is a neurological disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. The damage to the nerves leads to disfiguring skin lesions. Historically, it was thought that leprosy was contagious. This, and the stigma associated with the disease, meant lepers were shunned and forced to live in quarantine in leper colonies. These still exist in some developing countries. This photograph, dating from between 1898 and 1946, was taken by the American Colony Photo Department or its successor, the Matson Photo Service.

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Size: 3886px × 4530px
Photo credit: © LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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