01581nas a2200217   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653002600055653002600081653002600107653002600133653001100159653001400170653001200184100001700196245015600213300000800369490000700377520096500384022001401349       1993                            d  c1993 Mar10aHistory, 17th Century10aHistory, 18th Century10aHistory, 19th Century10aHistory, 20th Century10aHumans10aIndonesia10aleprosy1 aZuiderhoek B00aThe approach to the leprosy problem in the past in Indonesia. A historical review of leprosy control activities in Indonesia during the last centuries.  a2-50 v453 a<p>Due to the severe disabilities leprosy has always been a disease which appealed to the imagination. In bygone centuries cause and treatment were unknown and the fear to be infected was enormous. In Indonesia medical officers struggled with the problem. As early as the 17th century the disease was described in detail by Ten Rhijne. In the 19th century leprosy was considered hereditary. After the discovery of the leprosy bacillus by Hansen in 1873, confusion continued as the bacillus could not be cultivated. Many therapies were tried, but with no result. At first patients were isolated in leprosaria, later on a more humane system of house-isolation was introduced. Since 1932 Indonesian medical officers have played a prominent part in research and the determination of the future approach to the problem. Seen against the background of our present knowledge about the disease, it is interesting to follow the struggle against leprosy in the past.</p>  a0041-3232