Who is right concerning public health?

 

Have you ever heard of Carville, Louisiana? Do you know that from 1894 until the 1950s, people who were diagnosed with leprosy were forced to quarantine with all of their rights taken away? They could not leave the leper colony. They could not vote or see their families. This particular place, Carville, was the only colony in the mainland United States. People from all over the country were sent here, many died and were buried here. 

I began reading a book and as happens  very often when reading, I became fascinated with this and the thought that I knew absolutely nothing about this. History is so important to me and with Covid-19 people still arguing about wearing a mask, I find it interesting that the people who ended up in Carville, were sent there as virtual prisoners so they would not infect others with the disease. 

The book is "The Second Life of Mirielle West" written by Amanda Skenandore. I cannot remember why I ordered this particular book, but am finding it engrossing. I think you would as well. Who knew, for instance, that the nuns who helped the Public Health Service run the place, assigned a new name to each person, man, woman or child, who came in to the facility. They could pick any name they wanted and it was done for the privacy of the family because there was such a stigma attached to having the disease of leprosy. This is one of the reasons it is now called Hansen's Disease. 

Medicines have now been developed to combat leprosy, it is caused by a bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and is not as contagious as doctor's once thought. Most adults have a natural immunity to the disease and do not even realize they have been exposed. 

Reading, for me, is one of the few small pleasures I can indulge in and continue to read the most varied list which interests me as a teacher, perhaps because so many are only interested in reading one genre of literature. I struggle to find books my students might have interest in. This is hard because I am interested in so much. 

Check this book out. You might find it interesting as well. Now I want to visit the museum. Find a spot you want to visit.