Much confusion and ignorance exists, as to what true Leprosy really is. I do not pretend, nor do I assume, to be in any way an authority on the disease, nor to be at all deeply versed in the matter; my remarks will consist chiefly in retailing to you, some of the many and curious circumstances connected with the malady, with which I have become acquainted in studying the various Lazar Houses and Leper Wells, once so liberally scattered all over the country, from an antiquary's point of view, and in examining the writings of those competent to express an opinion, from personal and other observations. Your kind indulgence is, therefore, asked for any shortcomings on my part. THE LEPROSY OF THE BIBLE. It is necessary at the outset, to state clearly, that the disease known as Leprosy in Holy Scripture, was an entirely and altogether different disorder, to that, which, in the Middle Ages, was so terribly prevalent, not in this country only, but over the whole Continent of Europe. Sir Risdon Bennett tells us the Leprosy of Scripture was a skin disease known to the medical faculty as _Psoriasis_. The use of the Greek and Latin word _Lepra_, to signify both kinds of Leprosy, has no doubt contributed largely to the confusion existing as to these two disorders. The Leprosy of the Bible was _Psoriasis_, that of the Middle Ages _Elephantiasis Graecorum_. There are six cases only, which include nine instances of Leprosy, recorded in the Old Testament:-- Moses--Exodus, iv., 6. } Miriam--Numbers, xii., 10. } Miraculously Gehazi--2 Kings, v., 27. } afflicted. Uzziah--2 Chronicles, xxvi., 19. } Naaman--2 Kings, v., 1. Four Lepers--2 Kings, vii., 3. In the New Testament we have but three cases, involving twelve persons, viz.:-- (1) Man, recorded by St. Matthew, viii, 2; St. Mark, i., 40; St. Luke, v., 12. (2) Ten Lepers, St. Luke, xvii., 12. (3) Simon, St. Matthew, xxvi., 6; St. Mark, xiv., 3. The first account or mention of the disorder in the Bible, is to be found in Leviticus; nearly three chapters, xiii., xiv., xv., being devoted to the examination and cleansing of the afflicted, with the minutest detail.