Among the general symptoms of leprosy Gilbert enumerates a permanent
loss of sensation proceeding from within (_insensibilitas mansive ad
intrinseco veniens_) and affecting particularly the fingers and toes,
more especially the first and the little finger, and extending to
the forearm, the arm or the knees; coldness and formication in the
affected parts; transparency (_luciditas_) of the skin, with the
loss of its natural folds (_crispitudines_), and a look as if tightly
stretched or polished; distortion of the joints of the hands and feet,
the mouth or the nose, and a kind of tickling sensation as if some
living thing were fluttering within the body, the thorax, the arms
or the lips. There is felt also a sensation of motion, which is even
visible also by inspection. Fetor of the breath, the perspiration and
the skin are likewise noticeable. The localities affected lose their
natural hair and are re-covered with very fine hairs, invisible except
when held between the eye and the sun. The hair of the eyebrows
and the eyelashes are lost--one of the worst of symptoms. There are
present also hoarseness and an obstruction of the nostrils, without
any visible cause. When the patient takes a bath the water runs off
the affected localities as if they had been greased--another sign of
evil omen. The angles of the eyes are rounded and shining. The skin,
even when unaffected by cold, or other similar cause, is raised into
very minute pimples, like the skin of a plucked goose. The blood in
venesection has an oily appearance, and displays small particles like
sand. Small tumors accompany the depilation of the eyebrows. Lepers
are unusually and unduly devoted to sexual pleasures, and suffer
unusual depression after sexual indulgence. The skin is tormented
with a constant itching, and is alternately unduly hot or cold. Small
grains are found under the tongue, as in leprous hogs.

Gilbert divides leprosy into four varieties, _elephantia_, _leonina_,