The Reason Nobody Knew About Alice Ball's Role In Leprosy Treatment Until After Her Death

Leprosy is an ancient disease that was highly stigmatized for centuries, resulting in the isolation of those who contracted it (via The Lancet). According to the CDC, it's a bacterial infection that can affect the nerves, skin, and eyes. WebMD writes that it can also damage tissue inside of the nose. If untreated, it can lead to disfigurement, the loss of feeling in the hands or legs, skin numbness, blindness, and much more. Per the World Health Organization, it's believed that the disease is transmitted from nose or mouth droplets. Ultimately, it can take anywhere from one to 20 years for symptoms to appear.

Smithsonian Magazine reports that leprosy was believed to be brought to Hawaii by Asian and European immigrants. Whatever the case, it devastated the native Hawaiian population. Between 1866 and 1969, those who had an extreme bout of leprosy were forced into isolation at Kalaupapa. Conditions on the secluded island were dismal, and most, including children, were separated from their families. Moreover, they were relegated to live out the rest of their lives in the leprosy colony. Although churches, stores, and dance halls were created on the island, famed writer Jack London later stated (per New Scientist) that Kalaupapa was "the pit of hell, the most cursed place on earth."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qL7Up56eZpOkunCEknFqcmxfqbWmecOeraKnpah6s7HArKanZZ6kr7Cw2Gaip52nYq6ju9StZJqkmZiybq7ApaOsZaKkuaZ5yKdkpZ2gp7y0xYytqZ6ZpKKyr8CMrqWtoZxisaavwJ2crGWRm8GmvoyhnKtllJqutbSO