72 A Short History of Nursing and went to live among the lepers in their colonies. The problem of leprosy had grown increasingly grave since the introduction of the disease into Europe in the fifth and sixth centuries, and at- tempts to solve it by isolating its victims had had little or no effect. The special genius of St. Francis was shown in his way of attacking this problem. He did not isolate himself with the lepers, nor allow his followers to do so, though one and all were required to live among them. They went back and forth in the world as if they had been living anyivhere else, and by thus bringing leprosy (much of which was really tuberculosis and syphi- lis) out into the open, as it were, St. Francis brought the responsibility home to the entire com- munity, where it belonged, and a beginning was made of improved social conditions and of pre- ventive sanitary measures. His method was very like that used in the modern campaign against tuberculosis. St. Francis had an immense follow- ing, especially among the ardent youth of his age, and led the recruits who became known as mendi- cant orders or friars. St. Francis insisted on humil- ity and poverty, but wanted the friars to be joyful and happy, and to live as natural a life as possible. They were, therefore, often accused of levity. They were to work with their hands, preach and
