Quicklinks▼
Careers
Citrix Storefront
Contact
Donate
Find Employees
LSU Health New Orleans
Intranet
Moodle
myLSUHSC
Office 365
OWA Email
Patient Care
Remote VPN
Self Service
LSU Health New OrleansGet Thee to a Leprosarium
The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene concluded their 57th annual meeting in New Orleans this week. Since Louisiana is the home for the Hansen’s Disease Center, it only makes sense that the subject of leprosy might come up. The fact that the disease is considered biblical rather than contemporary was discussed at the meeting this week; mis-diagnosis is a frequent problem which, of course, hampers treatment. The article emphasizes that we do not have an epidemic.
The Gillis W. Long Hansen’s Disease Center at Carville, Louisiana was a prominent leprosarium in America. Established in 1894 by the Louisiana State Legislature, the hospital was staffed by Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul (the same nuns who staffed Charity Hospital at the time.)
A 1994 article from Public Health Reports gives a brief history of the hospital including photos. For a local slant, check out this 1950 news clipping from the New Orleans Item.