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THE ITCH.

assisting all the vital functions, lias a direct tendency to preventobstructions of every kind, and those of the glands in particular,which constitute the earliest symptoms of the disease in question.

On the subject of diet, some little deviations must be made frommy general plan, in rearing the child of scrofulous parents, or onethat is marked with what may be called a pre-disposition to thisdisease, a thin skin, and a general weakness and flaccidity of thehabit. Extraordinary care should be taken to secure a very healthynurse for such a child ; and, after it is weaned, the use of animalfood, but light and easy of digestion, should be gradually introduc-ed, and freely allowed at dinner every day. In case of any justapprehensions of the scrofula, we must not trust to a mild regi-men, to milk and vegetables, though in general so wholesome andnutritious. They cannot give that tone to the stomach, and thatenergy to the whole system, which they now stand in need of. Agross, full diet will certainly occasion humours and eruptions ; butthese are very different from the scrofula, and far more easily cur-ed. A poverty of the blood, a relaxation of the fibres, those sureattendants, if not the principal causes of the evil, require the moststrengthening articles both of food and drink.

But I must reprobate, above all things, butter in every form, andother oily substances, which are so apt to turn rancid on the stom-ach, loading it with phlegm, relaxing and impeding its action, in-ducing a debility of the solids, and occasioning a great number ofcomplaints, as well as glandular obstructions. One of the worstcompositions, of which butter or fat always forms a part, is pastry.I really shudder whenever I see a delicate woman, or a weak child,greedily devouring those palatable poisons. Let it be understood,that I include in this censure gingerbread, plumcakes, and all trashof the like kind. Indeed, a child of a scrofulous habit shouldnever eat any preparation of flour, except plain, well-made, andwell-baked bread.*

The Itch. (Psora.)

Though this disease is commonly communicated by infection,yet it seldom prevails where due regard is paid to cleanliness, freshair, and wholesome diet. It generally appears in form of smallwatery pustules, first about the wrists, or between the fingers ;afterwards it affects the arms, thighs, legs, &c. These pustules areattended with an intolerable itching, especially when the patient iswarm in bed, or sits by the fire. Sometimes, indeed, the skin iscovered with large blotches or scabs, and at other times with awhite scurf, or scaly eruption. This last is called the Dry Itch, andis the most difficult to cure.

The itch is seldom a dangerous disease, unless when it is ren-dered so by neglect or improper treatment. If it be suffered tocontinue too long, it may vitiate the whole mass of humours ; and,if it be suddenly drove in, without proper evacuations, it may oc-casion fevers, inflammations of the viscera, or other internal dis-orders.

* Delicate children are greatly injured by the common habit of bibbing too muchthin warm fluid, such as weak tea. They are chiefly enticed to this practice by thesweetness of these drinks. Such children ought not to be permitted to drink any thing•weet or warm. The stomach is braced by cold aoqlications, as well as the skin. En