Chapter 27

Damien the Leper

William James Maloney

Abstract

Pope Benedict XVI canonized Father Damien de Veuster on October 11, 2009. Dr. Damien commenced his ministry, in 1873, in which he would serve those individuals who were afflicted with leprosy and quarantined in Molokai on the Hawaiian Islands. He eventually contracted the disease and died of it in 1889. Leprosy is a disease which is caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It has a long incubation period and is not very contagious. Presently the disease is treated with antibiotics and the patient can live a normal life if the disease is diagnosed at an early stage.

Total Pages: 156-159 (4)

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