It has here been attempted to bring together some notes touching the extent and duration of leprosy during the Middle Ages, as affecting the provision and maintenance of leper-hospitals. Into the nature of the disease itself we have not endeavoured to inquire, that being a scientific rather than an historical study. Those who would go further into the subject must gain access to the writings of Sir James Simpson, Dr. C. Creighton, Dr. George Newman and others. [Illustration: 6. SEAL OF THE LAZAR-HOUSE, MILE END] FOOTNOTES: [23] Patent 12 Ed. IV, pt. II, m. 6. [24] Pat. 8 Edw. II, pt. ii. m. 5. Close 9 Edw. II, m. 18 _d_. [25] Pat. 15 Edw. III, pt. i. m. 49, 48. [26] J. Thorpe, _Custumale Roffense_, p. 39 et sq.; _Reg. Roff._ p. 113. [27] Pat. 27 Edw. III, pt. ii. m. 16. [28] Surtees Soc. 46, ii. 130. [29] Cited Vict. Co. Hist. _Kent_. [30] One deed of reformation speaks of “the diminution of the means of the hospital and the small number of lepers who resort thither.” (_Pap. Lett._ 1430–1.) [31] Hist. MSS. 5th R. p. 527 a. [32] Ecclesiastical Memorials, II, 248. [p048] CHAPTER V THE LEPER IN ENGLAND “_From the benefactions and possessions charitably bestowed upon the hospital, the hunger, thirst and nakedness of those lepers, and other wants and miseries with which they are incessantly afflicted . . . may be relieved._” (Foundation Charter of Sherburn.) We now turn from leper-asylums to consider the leper himself—a sadly familiar figure to the wayfaring man in the Middle Ages. He wears a sombre gown and cape, tightly closed; a hood conceals his want of hair, which is, however, betrayed by the absence of eyebrows and lashes; his limbs are maimed and stunted so that he can but hobble or crawl; his features are ulcerated and sunken; his staring eyes are unseeing or unsightly; his wasted lips part, and a husky voice entreats help as he “extends supplicating lazar arms with bell and clap-dish.” * * * * *