Medieval teeth open a new perspective on leprosy care and toxic medicine
A new study analyzed dental calculus from medieval skeletons to investigate the use of mercury-based treatments for leprosy, finding higher mercury levels in individuals buried in leprosaria. This marks the first large-scale analysis of mercury in dental calculus compared with soil samples from the same graves. The findings suggest that mercury was likely used as a medical treatment for leprosy despite its toxicity.
- ▪The study examined 76 individuals and 45 soil samples from leprosaria in England and France to assess mercury exposure.
- ▪Individuals buried in leprosaria had significantly higher mercury levels in their dental calculus than those from non-leprosaria sites.
- ▪Dental calculus can trap particles from food, drink, and medical treatments, offering direct evidence of exposure during life.
- ▪Mercury was historically used to treat skin conditions like leprosy and syphilis, often in ointments applied to the skin.
- ▪This is the first study to use dental calculus on such a scale to identify mercury-based medical treatments in medieval populations.
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May 16, 2026 feature Medieval teeth open a new perspective on leprosy care and toxic medicine by Sandee Oster, Phys.org Sandee Oster Author Meet our staff & contributors Learn about our editorial standards edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Robert Egan Sadie Harley Scientific Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Robert Egan Associate Editor Meet our editorial team Behind our editorial process Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies.
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