Hansen’s disease

Before Leprosy became Hansen’s Disease

Staff From our researchers, Out of the stacks, Voices from our collection April 4, 2018April 20, 2020Albert Ashmead, Gerhard Armauer Hansen, Hansen's disease, History of medicine, Leprosy

– by Elizabeth Schexnyder*

I’m always on the lookout for materials that have a connection to leprosy. In particular to the leprosarium established in Carville, Louisiana. Hansen’s disease is another name for leprosy.

Last year, a visitor from Philadelphia toured the National Hansen’s Disease Museum in Carville, where I am the curator. He suggested that I look into the collections at the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library. He thought we had much in common. And so we did.