Timeline

           

1873

Cause of leprosy discovered

Gerhard-Henrik Armauer Hansen, a Norwegian scientist, discovers Mycobacterium leprae as the causative organism for leprosy, defying the hereditary affliction theory of the disease. …

Discovery that leprosy is caused by a bacilli; Norwegian physician Gerhard-Henrik Armauer Hansen Prior to this, …

Microphotograph of Mycobacterium leprae taken from a skin lesion (source: CDC)
Gerhard-Henrik Armauer Hansen (1841–1912)

1877

Wellesley Bailey and the Mission to Lepers


1898

Leper Act of 1898

~ (British) Government of India’s Leper Act of 1898: forced into asylums Links: Repealed in 1983? Or 2002? (conflicting sources)


1918

Dr Ida Scudder starts the teaching hospital, the Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore


1945

Robert Cochrane starts research into Dapsone


1948

Acquisition of land at Karigiri

Acquisition of land at Karigiri. ~ (part of the land gifted by the government; part of it bought at a nominal rate by The Mission to Lepers)

1952

Turning the sod at Karigiri


1955

Schieffelin Research Sanatorium opened


1955

  • W.M. Jay Schieffelin dies. Research sanatorium erected in memory of Shieffelin Links American Leprosy Mission Plaque at sanatorium entrance

  • Clinic is opened – First patient treated: (name) Links: Portrait/photo of first patient Patient record

1970

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