Lep to phloem

Central portion of the seta in mo es of deformity years, known to have existed in Biblical times; most common in tropical countries, but found in nearly every portion of the world, and due to the presence in the system of a micro-organism, Bacillus lepræ. It is feebly contagious, but prolonged contact with an affected person is nece ary; in cold or temperate climates, it is regarded as non-contagious. It occurs in three forms: the anæsthetic, in which the nerves are affected, causing lo of feeling or pain, and yellowish spots, one to two inches in diameter, occur, which are without feeling and sooner or later ulcerate; the tubercular, in which the nervous symptoms are absent and the eruption is nodular, odular, causing thickening of the skin and consequent deformity; and the mixed variety, in which the symptoms of the two former are combined. Gangrene, gradual wasting and subsequent lo of the fingers, etc., are common, and death may result from exhaustion, ulceration, or the involvement of structures nece ary to life. A fatal result is inevitable, and remedies calculated to build up the general health may prolong life, but no treatment has been succe ful in arresting the progre of the disease. Cases when found are isolated and kept from contact with the sound. At the present time there are five lepers under the control of the Health Department of New York City. In the Middle Ages they were compelled to wear black gowns and hoods, and to announce their presence by ringing a bell or sounding a clapper, and in some countries, when a case was found, the victim was garbed as above and the burial service was read in his presence. After this he was separated from his family and no further religious communion allowed, he being regarded as dead. In America the disease is not rare in Louisiana and Mexico and wherever numbers of Chinese are found. It is also found in Scand in a via, parts of France and Italy, and the Sandwich Islands.