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https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146766| Title: | Leprosy in Gozo – a historical review |
| Authors: | Savona-Ventura, Charles |
| Keywords: | Leprosy -- Malta -- Gozo -- History Leprosy -- Epidemiology Leprosy -- Patients -- Malta -- Gozo -- History Public health laws -- Malta -- Gozo -- History Hospitals -- Malta -- Gozo -- History Leprosy -- Hospitals -- Malta -- Gozo -- History |
| Issue Date: | 2026 |
| Publisher: | University of Malta. Gozo Campus |
| Citation: | Savona-Ventura, C. (2026). Leprosy in Gozo – a historical review. The Gozo Observer, 50, 6-13. |
| Abstract: | Based on linguistic consideration, leprosy has long been known on the Maltese Islands. The Maltese vernacular term for leprosy is Ġdiem [leper = mġiddem]; a word that originates from the Arabic جزم = jozam [leper = مَجْذوم = majzoon]. This potential long-standing endemicity of the disease is not surprising considering that the Maltese Islands have been central to the trade routes of the Mediterranean Sea right through history dating back to at least the Bronze Age period circa 3,500 years ago. The Islamic influence on the Maltese Islands, known to have lasted from 870-1249 AD, had a wide-ranging influence of various aspects of Maltese culture including language. In common with Semitic concepts towards leprosy, Islamic society looked upon leprosy as a punishment from God for immorality, and the Maliki law allowed either partner to dissolve a marriage because of leprosy. [excerpt] |
| URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146766 |
| ISSN: | 19963114 |
| Appears in Collections: | The Gozo Observer - Issue 50, 2026 |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leprosy_in_Gozo_–_a_historical_review(2026).pdf | 2.06 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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