Several ancient diseases that even exist or of which case reports could be found are Gout, Yellow Fever, Tetanus, Pneumococcal disease, Measles, Pertussis, Diphtheria, Chickenpox, Poliomyelitis, Leishmaniasis, Cholera, Lyme disease, Inanition, Ergotism, Pharyngitis, Smallpox, Trachoma, Leprosy, Typhoid fever, PlagueLeprosy has plagued mankind throughout history, but is far, far older than stories about the disease in the Bible, according to scientists. A new study claims the disease is probably the oldest infectious disease in humans with roots stretching back millions of years.