Photograph of hands affected by Hansen’s disease (Leprosy)
Complications of Mycobacterium leprae
The above condition is probably what you think of when you hear ‘leprosy’; disfigurement and limbs falling off. These are not actually symptoms caused directly by M. leprae, but are complications of long exposure to it. Prior to the effective forms of modern medicine some of us enjoy today, once an individual was infected with M. leprae, life long exposure and disfigurement was a guarantee. Today, leprosy is very treatable.
The reason digits and extremities decay in extreme cases is because of the damage M. leprae reaps on the peripheral nerves (which your hands have a high density of). Without feeling in your extremities, you become prone to damaging them without realizing, cutting off their blood flow, wrist/foot-drop, absorption of digits, clawing of toes and hands, and possibly contracture.
Leprosy in the Philippines. 19th century.
Leprosy in the Philippines. 19th century.
Leprosy in the Philippines. 19th century.
A 24-year-old man infected with leprosy.
Leprosy in the Philippines. 19th century.
Leprosy in the Philippines. 19th century.
A 24-year-old man infected with leprosy.
A Supermodel With Lupus: Wheelchair Chronicles #9
The Bathroom.
A reason why many disabled people stay home instead of catching that after work cocktail at the trendy new spot with coworkers.
I had the misfortune recently of dealing with this issue at a popular restaurant in Chicago.
I couldn’t get through the front door of the restroom and…
i'm da party poopa: A is for Assholes
Today, I officially experienced a downside to having a handicapped parking sticker.
I was on my way out of CVS when I got behind an older, fairly obese woman walking slowly. I went around her because I was in a hurry and made a rush to my car before I was late to class.
As I started the…
![blackgirlphresh:
aomuse:
nprfreshair:
When Columbus crossed the Atlantic, he didn’t just bring ideas. He also started the exchange of food, animals, insects and disease around the world: “All of the great diseases from smallpox to measles to influenza … [did not] exist in the Americas because they didn’t have any domesticated animals. When the Europeans came over, it was as if all the deaths over the millennium caused by these diseases were compressed into 150 years in the Americas. The result was to wipe out between two-thirds and 90 percent of the people in the Americas. It was the worst demographic disaster in history.”
I should think we will have to rewrite that old bard’s poem, “in fourteen hundred ninety two / Columbus sailed the ocean flu / he had three ships and left from Spain / with cargo of superstition, xenophobia and gain / he sailed by night ; he sailed by day / a bounded slave to guide his way / a compass also helped him know / he had no idea which way to go”. Okay. I’m done slapping history around for now. Perhaps I shall come back and finish my revisions someday.
im wid it.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpm4s1YOuG1qd9dz2o1_500.jpg)
When Columbus crossed the Atlantic, he didn’t just bring ideas. He also started the exchange of food, animals, insects and disease around the world: “All of the great diseases from smallpox to measles to influenza … [did not] exist in the Americas because they didn’t have any domesticated animals. When the Europeans came over, it was as if all the deaths over the millennium caused by these diseases were compressed into 150 years in the Americas. The result was to wipe out between two-thirds and 90 percent of the people in the Americas. It was the worst demographic disaster in history.”
I should think we will have to rewrite that old bard’s poem, “in fourteen hundred ninety two / Columbus sailed the ocean flu / he had three ships and left from Spain / with cargo of superstition, xenophobia and gain / he sailed by night ; he sailed by day / a bounded slave to guide his way / a compass also helped him know / he had no idea which way to go”. Okay. I’m done slapping history around for now. Perhaps I shall come back and finish my revisions someday.
im wid it.
