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Many people tried to provide easy explanations for the spread of the disease, pointing the finger at the marginalized people of the society: in some areas wanderers and beggars were accused of contaminating the resident population; in others the "untori" were identified in the Jews.
Many people tried to provide easy explanations for the spread of the disease, pointing the finger at the marginalized people of the society: in some areas wanderers and beggars were accused of contaminating the resident population; in others the "untori" were identified in the Jews.
In the mentality of the time the disease could have a beneficial effect of fortification on the soul.
In the mentality of the time the disease could have a beneficial effect of fortification on the soul.
God was considered the divine physician, who sent diseases and healings.
God was considered the divine physician, who sent diseases and healings.
Superstition played an important role in the spread of the diseases: people thought that cats (believed to be demonic animals) were somehow responsible for epidemics. Actually, cats could be a remedy for epidemics, since they could eat rats, vectors of contagious diseases.
Superstition played an important role in the spread of the diseases: people thought that cats (believed to be demonic animals) were somehow responsible for epidemics. Actually, cats could be a remedy for epidemics, since they could eat rats, vectors of contagious diseases.
Leprosy was thought to be extremely contagious, though today we know it isn't contagious at all. Lepers were classed with heretics, Jews, homosexuals, prostitutes, pimps, and any others on the margins of society. When in public, lepers announced themselves by sounding bells and rattles to warn people away. Not allowed to touch food, in the marketplace, lepers had to point to their food choices with staffs.
Leprosy was thought to be extremely contagious, though today we know it isn't contagious at all. Lepers were classed with heretics, Jews, homosexuals, prostitutes, pimps, and any others on the margins of society. When in public, lepers announced themselves by sounding bells and rattles to warn people away. Not allowed to touch food, in the marketplace, lepers had to point to their food choices with staffs.
A person suspected of having leprosy was made to renounce the "normal" world and had to promise to abide by many restrictions. These restrictions included not touching anything or anyone, except for his or her spouse. Thousands were sent to leper colonies scattered all over Europe. These colonies, called "leprosaria," were operated by religious and municipal authorities. For some the leprosaria may not have been totally unbearable places. Lepers who had money could live in a leprosarium with their wives and children. Wealthy merchants often left money to the leper colonies in their wills.
A person suspected of having leprosy was made to renounce the "normal" world and had to promise to abide by many restrictions. These restrictions included not touching anything or anyone, except for his or her spouse. Thousands were sent to leper colonies scattered all over Europe. These colonies, called "leprosaria," were operated by religious and municipal authorities. For some the leprosaria may not have been totally unbearable places. Lepers who had money could live in a leprosarium with their wives and children. Wealthy merchants often left money to the leper colonies in their wills.
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