26G

SCROFULA, OR KING'S EVIL.

sometimes produce scrofulous ulcers ; but we have reason to be-lieve, when this happens, that there has been a predisposition inthe habit to this disease. In short, whatever tends to vitiate thehumours or relax the solids, paves the way to the scrofula ; as thewant of proper exercise, too much heat or cold, confined air, un-wholesome food, bad water, the long use of poor, weak, wateryaliments, the neglect of cleanliness, &c. Nothing tends more toinduce this disease in children than allowing them to continue longwet.*

Symptoms. — At first, small knots appear under the chin, or be-hind the ears, which gradually increase in number and size, tillthey form one large hard tumour. This often continues for a longtime without breaking, and when it does break, it only dischargesa thin sanies, or watery humour. Other parts of the body arelikewise liable to its attack, as the arm-pits, groins, feet, hands,eyes, breast, &c. ISor are the internal parts exempt from it. Itoften affects the Jungs, liver, or spleen ; and I bave frequentlyseen the glands of the mysentery greatly enlarged by it.

Those obstinate ulcers which break out upon the feet and handswith swelling, and little or no redness, are of the scrofulous kind.They seldom discharge good matter, and are exceedingly difficultto cure. The white swellings of the joints seem likewise to be of-is kind. They are with difficulty brought to a suppuration, and• hen opened they only discharge a thin ichor. There is not anore general symptom of the scrofula than a swelling of the up-per lip and nose. It sometimes begins in a toe or finger, which con-.inues long swelled, with no great degree of pain, till the bone be-comes carious.

Regimen. — As this disease proceeds, in a great measure, fromrelaxation, the diet ought to be generous and nourishing, but atthe same time light and of easy digestion ; as well-fermented breadmade of sound grain, the flesh and broth of young animals, withnow and then a glass of generous wine, or good ale. The ait-ought to be open, dry, and not too cold, and the patient shouldtake as much exercise as he can bear. This is of the utmost im-portance. Children who have sufficient exercise are seldomtroubled with the scrofula.

Medical treatment. — The vulgar are remarkably credulouswith regard to the cure of the scrofula ; many of them believing inthe virtue of the royal touch, that of the seventh son, &c. Thetruth is, we know but little either of the nature or cure of this dis-ease, and where reason or medicines fail, superstition always corneain their place. The submuriate of mercury, however, is by farthe most celebrated of all the purgative medicines which have beenemployed in the treatment, of scrofula ; and it is undoubtedly mserviceable remedy in many stages of the disease. In prescribingit we must be careful not to give it in such a quantity as to pro-

* The scrofula, as well as the rickets, is found to prevail in large manufacturingtowns, where people live grossly, and lead sedentary lives.