leprosy

(lep’ro-se) [1.. Je’pra]. A chronic, transmi ible disease, due to a specific microbe, the Bacillus le’ pra. It is a constitutional disorder, accompanied in its beginnings with fever, chills, etc. The lesions consist of either well-defined tches of macular erythema (macular |.) or blebs. followed by the development of anesthetic patches of cicatricial ti ue (alrophic |.), with atrophy of the skin and lo of the hair; or else of nodules and tubercles (tubercular 1.), which may either become absorbed or ulcerate. In both varieties atrophy may be followed by deformity and mutilation of the digits. Other parts than the skin may become involved, especially the larynx, conjunctiva, nerves, viscera, and bones. anesthetic 1., a variety of leprosy marked by hyperesthesia, followed by anesthesia, paralysis, ulceration, and gangrene. Italian 1., pellagra. nodular 1., a form of leprosy marked by the development of ma es of granulation ti ue, called leproma, which may appear superficially, causing great distortion. rat ]., a leprosy-like disease affecting rats. trop hon eur otic 1., anesthetic leprosy. white l., macular leprosy.