The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 233

EXPOSITION. malady is a pRinless spot, whtoh covers an CHAPTlm XIIL indolent ulcer. Thie ulcer may continue UNOLEANNESS DERIVED FROM LEPROSY 0B unprogressive for months or for years, 0ONTAOT WITII LEPERS AND LEPROUS TIDNGS during which the poreon affected is able to (ohs. xiii., xiv.). A third cause of uncleanness rlo his ordinary business; but at the end of is found in a third class of offensive or these periods, whether longer or shorter, repulsive objects. There is no diee11ee which it produces a more repulsive and foul dis- produces so foul an appearance in the human figurement of the human face and frame form as leprosy. There was, therefore, no than nny known disease, the fentures of the dise11ee so suitable for creating ceremoni11l, face ch11nging their ohar11cter, and part bec11use representing spiritual, uncleanness. of the body occnsionally mortifying and The name leprosy has been made to cover dropping off. Death at last comes suddenly, a number of diseases similar but not identicnl when a vital part of the body has been in oharaoter. There are many spurious affected. forms of leprosy, and many diseases akin The home of leprosy bas in all ages been to leprosy which do not now come under Syria. and Egypt and the countries adjacent discussion. The disease here dealt with is to them, but Europe h11s not escaped tho elephantiasis, especially in its anmsthetic scourge. In the Middle Ages, no European form, which is otherwise Oil.lied white leprosy. country was free from it; London had at The two varieties of elephantiasis-the tuber- one time six leper houses; oases were found oulated and tho 11nmsthetic-are, however, not unfrequently in Scotland till the middle so closely connected together that they of the last century; and there was a death c11nnot be separated, the one often running certified by medico.I science to have resulted into the other. The first symptom of the from leprosy in the city of Norwich in the ---------- 196 THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. (oH, Xlll, 1-40.