Leprosy

(lep’-ro-se) [heir pa, leprosy]. An endemic, chronic, infectious disease, due to the bacillus leprae. Two forms of leprosy are described — a tubercular and an anesthetic form. The first begins with a well-defined erythema (Macular L.), which is succeeded by the formation of papules, and later of nodules, although in some cases the erythematous stage is followed by a disappearance of the pigment without nodulation (Lepra alba). The nodules eventually break down and ulcerate. The anesthetic form begins with pains and hyperesthesia; a macular eruption appears, but again subsides, leaving spots of anesthesia; trophic lesions develop and lead to the lo of the fingers or toes, with the production of marked deformity. 359