Leprosy in 19th Century Norway: The Most Cruel Disease That Flesh is Heir To

Leprosy in 19th Century Norway

The Most Cruel Disease That Flesh is Heir To

with

Sandra Bestland

author, writer and speaker

In the 19th-century, Norway had the highest incidence of leprosy in Western Europe. Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to humankind. In Biblical times, the disease was believed to be a punishment from God. Lepers were ostracized from society and so reviled that the disease was referred to as the "death before death." The presentation will include an overview of the history of leprosy from antiquity to the present as well as how the Norwegian medical community led the effort to eradicate the disease worldwide. Part of the effort to eradicate the disease was due to the relationship between leprologists in Red Wing, Minnesota and Bergen, Norway. People diagnosed with leprosy often changed their names so as not to endanger or stigmatize their families. Medical documents may show initials instead of the given names of leprosy patients. For someone doing genealogy research, this may be the only clue to finding an ancestor who mysteriously went missing. The family member may have emigrated to another country under a pseudonym, been confined to a leper hospital, or buried in an unmarked grave.