A wide variety of skin disorders
were diagnosed as leprosy. Generally lumps would
form and turn red, then form white scales
progressing to open sores. Often the disease would
penetrate to the bone, affecting internal
organs and joints, often causing limbs to distort. Leprosy was the most feared
disease in the Holy Land. When infected,
people were required to be examined by the priest. When a priest declared
a leper unclean, this meant he was unfit
for sacred ordinances and was banned
from the community. When healed, the leper could be
pronounced clean by the priest and be brought
back into society.