Wednesday, March 21, 2018 — 7:30 p.m., Nova Scotia Archives
Leprosy in Cape Breton — 1852–1907
Dr. Kenneth Murray, Family Physician, Neil’s Harbour
Abstract:
In the 1850’s a very unusual disease appeared in two separate communities of Inverness County, Cape Breton. The disease spread slowly in localized areas causing significant disfigurement and a number of deaths. Some speculated this was leprosy. Others disagreed. It wasn’t until after the 1880’s that outside medical researchers visited to examine some of the victims. Was this leprosy? Was this another disease? Where did it come from and how did it get there? How did the community and the government respond? How was it contained? Were the measures implemented by health authorities effective? This presentation will examine these questions.