SCROFULA, OR KING'S EVIL.

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small doses, and increase them both in strength and quantity, ashe finds his stomach will bear it. It must be used for a conside-rable time. I have known some take it for many months, andhave been told of others who had used it for several years, beforethey were sensible of any benefit, but who nevertheless were curedby it at length.

The leprosy, which was so common in this country long ago,seems to have been near a-kin to the scurvy. Perhaps its appear-ing so seldom now, may be owing to the inhabitants of Britaineating more vegetable food than formerly, living more upon teaand other diluting diet, using less salted meat, being more cleanly,better lodged and clothed, &c. — For the cure of this disease, wewould recommend the same course of diet and medicine as in thescurvy.

I have met with very few cases of real leprosy in the course ofmy practice. The dry, scaly eruptions all over the body, whichare often the effects of the scurvy, are very liable to be consideredas leprous symptoms, and certainly resemble them very much.But no evil can arise even from mistake in this particular, as thesame alterative plan, which is advisable in the scurvy, will'be gen-erally found efficacious in the leprosy. Perhaps in the latter com-plaint, we ought to lay a greater stress, if possible, on the benefitof good air, and of frequent changes of the linen worn next theskin. What has been peculiarly called the disease of uncleanness,can only be remedied by the practice of the opposite virtue. I havealso found, that, after proper means for correcting internal impu-rities had been used for some time, the complete disappearance ofthe leper's sores was often safely and effectually promoted by theointment for diseases of the skin mentioned in the Appendix.*

The medicinal virtues of the Bath waters, as well as those ofHarrowgate, in the cure of the leprosy, are very highly, and Ibelieve very justly esteemed.

Scrofula, or King's Evil.

This disease chiefly affects the glands, especially those of theneck. Children and young persons of a sedentary life, are very-subject to it. It is one of those diseases which may be removed byproper regimen, but seldom yields to medicine. The inhabitantsof cold, damp, marshy countries are most liable to the scrofula.

CAUSES.-"-This disease may proceed from an hereditary taint,infection, a scrofulous nurse, &c. Children who have the misfor-tune to be born of sickly parents, whose constitutions have beengreatly injured by the pox, or other chronic diseases, are apt to beaffected by the scrofula. It may likewise proceed from such dis-eases as weaken the habit or vitiate the humours, as the small-pox,measles, &c. External injuries, as blows, bruises, and the like,

* [ have lately seen some instances of inveterate eruptions on the face, commonlytermed scorbutic, removed by the use of the dulcamara. Take of the stalks of thatplant, half an ounce, liquorice root, two drachms; macerate in two quarts of warmwater for two hours, and then boil for ten minutes. Of the strained decoction a tea-cupful with a little milk, may be taken three times a-day. It must be persisted in forsome time. A. P. B.