RESUMO
A short overview of several saints, venerated in Christian tradition as protectors from leprosy, is offered as an introduction to a more substantial debate on the possibility and sense of analyzing historical sources and the use of their interpretation for modern medical practice. A possible psychoneuroimmunological mechanism has been advanced to relate some of the healings of leprosy reported in historical materials.
Assuntos
Hanseníase/diagnóstico , Hanseníase/fisiopatologia , Hanseníase/prevenção & controle , Hanseníase/terapiaRESUMO
A short overview of several saints, venerated in Christian tradition as protectors from leprosy, is offered as an introduction to a more substantial debate on the possibility and sense of analyzing historical sources and the use of their interpretation for modern medical practice. A possible psychoneuroimmunological mechanism has been advanced to relate some of the healings of leprosy reported in historical materials.