A Bible, one of the oldest and most widely read books in the world, offers a window into the past, covering various aspects of people's lives, culture, and health.
Among the many topics discussed in sacred scriptures, illnesses play an important role in several narratives. Let's examine eight of them present in the Bible that still occur today.
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1. Leprosy (leprosy)
Often mentioned in the Bible, leprosy was one of the most feared diseases of antiquity.
It is caused by bacteria Mycobacterium leprae It is Mycobacterium lepromatosis and causes whitish patches on the skin and, in severe cases, deformities.
At that time, lepers were often excluded and forced to live outside communities. Currently, with the advent of effective treatments, leprosy is curable and the prevalence of the disease has decreased significantly.
2. Epilepsy
The Bible makes several references to people possessed by spirits or suffering from seizures. Many scholars believe that such descriptions may be referring to cases of epilepsy.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent seizures and can be caused by several factors, including brain injuries, genetics and other pathologies.
3. Dysentery
Unsanitary conditions and a lack of basic sanitation made water-borne diseases such as dysentery common in ancient times.
Caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses, dysentery leads to severe episodes of bloody diarrhea.
4. Fever
Several episodes in the Bible tell of people suffering from fevers, which may have been caused by a series of infections. Typhoid fever, for example, is generated by bacteria and is still prevalent in areas without adequate sanitation.
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5. Scabies
A skin disease caused by tiny mites, scabies is mentioned in the Bible as a plague afflicting the skin. Scabies causes intense itching and rashes and is highly contagious.
6. Tuberculosis
Although not explicitly mentioned by name, many believe that biblical references to lung disease and “consumption” may be alluding to tuberculosis.
Caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a disease that still affects millions globally, resulting in serious respiratory problems and, if left untreated, even the death of the patient.
7. Paralysis
Paralysis is portrayed in the Bible as the inability to walk or move. Today, conditions such as cerebral palsy and spinal cord injuries lead to paralysis, highlighting the continuity of these diseases over the centuries.
8. Blindness
Ablindness It is also mentioned in several biblical stories. Today, although treatments have advanced, blindness is still a reality for many people due to some medical conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
