From ostracized to facially-injured subjects -- an example of social discrimination from the history of medicine
Schwanitz, H.J.
Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift für Dermatologie Venerologie und verwandte Gebiete 35(1): 45-49
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-8470 PMID: 6368470 Document Number: 232053
The historical social situation and medical treatment of facially injured individuals is briefly summarized. Facially injured individuals were ostracized from society as a result of legal punishment, fear of contamination; or, because one believed that their injuries reflected a character-deficiency or even possession by evil spirits. In 1975, the term "defaced" (Entstellter) was replaced by the value-neutral description "facially injured" (Gesichtsversehrter).