Which organization was established around 1200 and dedicated to caring for leprosy and other socially unacceptable diseases?

Which organization was established around 1200 and dedicated to caring for leprosy and other socially unacceptable diseases?

• A. Knights of Saint Lazarus
• B. Knights Hospitaller
• C. Templars
• D. Sisters of Mercy

Answer: (A)

Medieval care for marginalized diseases was organized around religious and charitable groups that ran hospitals and hospices. Around 1200, the Knights of Saint Lazarus were formed specifically to care for lepers and other socially excluded patients, providing shelter, medical care, and support in leprosaria and related facilities. This focused mission on leprosy around that time makes them the best fit for the question. The Knights Hospitaller began earlier, in the late 11th to early 12th century, with a broader mission to aid sick and pilgrim travelers and later became a major military order. The Templars were a crusading military order formed for defense and pilgrimage protection, not specifically leprosy care. The Sisters of Mercy came much later, in the 19th century.

Medieval care for marginalized diseases was organized around religious and charitable groups that ran hospitals and hospices. Around 1200, the Knights of Saint Lazarus were formed specifically to care for lepers and other socially excluded patients, providing shelter, medical care, and support in leprosaria and related facilities. This focused mission on leprosy around that time makes them the best fit for the question.

The Knights Hospitaller began earlier, in the late 11th to early 12th century, with a broader mission to aid sick and pilgrim travelers and later became a major military order. The Templars were a crusading military order formed for defense and pilgrimage protection, not specifically leprosy care. The Sisters of Mercy came much later, in the 19th century.