SCROFULA, OR KING'S EVIL.

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duce the specific effects of mercury to any extent. When givencautiously and in moderate doses, so as to act merely as an altera-tive* or gentle purgative, it agrees well in scrofulous complaints,and greatly contributes to discuss tumours and resolve indurationsof this nature; or combined with antimony, or opium, where thereis much irritation, or where there are deep-seated affections of thejoints, &c. The scrofula, at a certain period of life, often curesof itself ; and, if the patient happens to be touched about this time,the cure is imputed to the touch, and not to Nature, who is reallythe physician. In the same way the insignificant nostrums ofquacks and old women often gain applause when they deservenone.

There is nothing more pernicious than the custom of plyingchildren in the scrofula with strong purgative medicines. Peopleimagine it proceeds from humours which must be purged off, with-out considering that these purgatives increase the debility and ag-gravate the disease. It has indeed been found, that keeping thebody gently open for some time, especially with sea-water, has agood effect ; but this should only be given in gross habits, and insuch quantity as to procure one, or at most two stools every day.

Bathing in the salt-water has likewise a very good effect, espe-cially in the warm season. I have often known a course of bath-ing in salt-water, and drinking it in such quantities as to keep thebody gently open, cure a scrofula, after many other medicines hadbeen tried in vain. When salt-water cannot be obtained, the pa-tient may be bathed in fresh water, and his body kept open bysmall quantities of salt and water, or some other mild purgative.

Next to cold bathing and drinking the salt-water, we would rec-ommend the Peruvian bark.t Burnt sponge is another remedywhich has been much administered in this disease, and frequentlywith advantage. It may be given either in the form of bolus ordraught.^ A more active medicine, however, is the carbonate ofsoda in doses from ten to twenty grains to a drachm, twice orthrice a-day .§ The cold bath may be used in summer, and thebark in winter. To an adult half a drachm of the bark in powdermay be given in a glass of red wine four or five times a-day.Children, and such as cannot take it in substance, may use thedecoction made in the following manner :—

Boil an ounce of Peruvian bark and a drachm of winter's bark,both grossly powdered, in an English quart of water to a pint :

* Take Prepared Chalk, 1 drachm.

Submuriate of Mercury,

2 to 4 grsTartarized Antimony, 2 grains.Mix, and divide in 12 powders, of whichiet one be taken twice a-day.

t Take Extract of Peruvian Bark, 2 drms.

--------- of Hemlock, 1 drachm.

Make 40 pills ; and take two or threethree times a-day.

t Take Burnt Sponge, 20 to 30 grains.

Rhubarb, 3 grains.

Honey, enough to make a bolus, to betaken twice a-day.

$ Take Carbonate of Soda, 2 drachms.Infusion of Bark, 5 ounces.

Compound Tincture of

Cinnamon, /¡ ounce.

Syrup of Orange Peel, 2 drachms.Make a Mixture, two table-spoonsful ofwhich are to be taken three or fourtimes a-day.

orTake of Decoction of Bark, 10 drachms.C. Tincture of Cardamoms,

1£ drachm.Carbonate of Soda, 15 grains.Make a draught, to be taken two or threetimes a-day.