AP+Leprology,+St.+Guevara's+Day,+Simon+Bolivar

=Leprology=
 * By Elena Vanasse-Torres**

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**A Historical Introduction to Leprology:** Leprology is the study of Leprosy and its treatment. According to Doezie of the Star Outreach Organization, the cause of Leprosy is a biological agent called ‘Mycobacterium Leprae’ residing in masses within ‘the body’s lepra cells; in the lungs, liver, and nervous system’ (Doezie). In extreme cases, Leprosy will cause hand and foot deformation and general disfigurement of the face. There are written accounts of Leprosy which indicate the disease has existed for thousands of years. Many references to Leprosy in the Bible rebuke victims of the disease. According to ABC-Clio, the book of Leviticus ‘denounces Lepers as unclean and calls for their exclusion from the community’ (ABC-Clio). The first Indian book on surgery, the Susrutha, “dates back to 400 BC” (abc.clio) and includes evidence that leprosy was treated in these times. Moreover, ABC-Clio states that during the medieval era, Leprosy was regarded as divine punishment for lustful acts or moral sin (ABC-Clio). It was not until the 11th century that Lepers were hospitalized and treated within institutions known as leprosariums. =====

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**Guevara and Leprology:** Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara is noted for his humanitarian/medical work with Lepers. As a medical student, Ernesto took great interest in the disease and sought methods to ameliorate the condition. According to The //Motorcycle Diaries//, Guevara’s notes portray his experience with the lepers as a relatively pleasant experience. In the opinion of Cintio Vitier, “ [Guevara’s] experiences with the lepers, for whom [he] surely did much good…by treating them but also by playing soccer and talking with them in the spirit of unprejudiced, fraternal, intense humanity” (Vitier 27). Besides being an incredibly sexy/gorgeous man, Guevara was an accomplished leprologist, perhaps because of this ‘unprejudiced’ nature of his. Initially, Granado and himself passed themselves off as leprologists during their journey on La Poderosa; both later tended to lepers, Granado being the medic at a leprosarium. According to Granado in a BBC interview, their week at the San Pablo leper colony “proved pivotal”, as Che himself became “a doctor of the people” upon departing the colony (BBC News America). Guevara indeed became a doctor of the people by later moving countries towards independence and unity, despite great losses and eventual defeat. Notes of Guevara's experience here narrate Guevara's tenderness towards the victims. Though it was not advised, he fearlessly shook bare hands with many of the sick. This is quite symbolic of the young man Ernesto Guevara was and the revolutionary he became. Evidently, Guevara’s ties with the study of Leprosy dates back to the days when the man ‘Che’ was only nearing creation. =====