Fig. 76.—Geographical distribution of leprosy.
It is well established that leprosy was introduced into Europe, from Egypt, in the first century, B. C., by the returning legions of Pompey.
As a result of the crusades, leprosy was spread widely over Europe by the crusaders, so that in the 14th century the disease was so prevalent, that it required approximately 20,000 leper asylums to care for the lepers. In France alone there were about 2000 such leprosaria.
As a result of the most drastic measures of isolation the disease began to decrease in the 14th century and had practically disappeared from Europe, as a whole, by the 15th century.
Geographical Distribution.—With the exception of a limited and steadily diminishing number of cases in Norway and Sweden, with an uncertain number in the Balkan region and Turkey, leprosy has almost disappeared from Europe. Parts of Brittany and Provence in France show cases and there are a considerable number in Portugal and Spain.
Africa is heavily infected with the disease, especially in Central and East Africa. In certain portions of the Cameroons (Banyang) it is so common that one in every four persons suffers from leprosy.
Asia has many important leprosy centers, there being a very great number in China and India. There are about 100,000 lepers in Japan and about 3000 in the Philippines.
In 1902 there were 278 lepers in the United States, of which number 145 were native born. In 1912 there were only 146 distributed chiefly in three centers: (1) That of the Great Lakes, there being now 13 cases in Minnesota as against 27 in 1900; (2) among the Orientals of the Pacific Coast, and (3) in the Gulf region, especially about Louisiana and Florida.
There are 696 lepers in Hawaii and 28 in Porto Rico.