or King's Evil, a tedious and multi-form disease, of which one of the most characteristic marks is a tendency to a swelling of glandular parts, which, when they come on to inflammation and suppuration, discharge an unhealthy, curdy, mixed matter, and form ulcers very difficult to heal. This tendency to glandular swelling is the mark of a peculiar constitution, derived from parents or ancestors, or acquired afterwards during life; and in such constitutions, the diseases and accidents that happen with comparatively little inconvenience to others, are productive of very troublesome and alarming consequences to them. Scrofulous persons, though frequently very beautiful, are seldom robust or able to endure much fatigue. The hair in scrofulous children varies very much in colour; the body is generally pale and flabby, and the belly prominent; the upper lip is tumid; digestion is generally bad; the voice is husky, and there is great liability to colds, with sore throat and enlarged tonsils. Those who are obliged to live in damp, uncomfortable dwellings, exposed to many privations, who are badly clothed, who live on scanty and unwholesome food, deprived of exercise in the open air, and who are inattentive to cleanliness, are the most subject to this disease. Scrofula is one of those diseases that are manifestly hereditary; and families that are scrofulous ought to be particularly careful as to the way in which they bring up their children. Long and anxious inquiries have satisfied medical men, that scrofula is a disease of debility; and that while everything is to be avoided which has a tendency to over-stimulate and inflame the system, such diet and regimen are to be adopted as have the tendency to strengthen and invigorate it. Children who show any predisposition to scrofula, should be brought up on plain, but nourishing and easily digestible food, such as good broth, with a moderate allowance of solid meat.

Scrofula generally first shows itself between the third and seventh year of a child's age; but it may arise at any period before the age of puberty, after which it rarely makes its first appearance, at least externally. The attacks of scrofula usually begin some time in winter or spring, and get better, or disappear in summer or autumn. The first appearance of the disorder is the occurrence of small round tumours under the skin of the neck, about the ear, or below the chin, without any pain or discolouring. In some cases, the joints of the elbows or ankles are the first parts affected. After some time, the tumours acquire a larger size, the skin which covers them becomes more purple and livid; and they inflame, suppurate, and break into little holes, from which a mixed pus-like fluid, intermixed with curdy-looking matter, at first proceeds, which soon changes into a thin serous discharge. In some scrofulous habits, the eyes and eyelids are the principal seat of the disease, shown by the incessant inflammation of the ball, and the raw and painful state of the eyelids. The bones of scrofulous persons are liable to disease, namely, to partial or general enlargement, to inflammation, suppuration, and exfoliation. Diseased spine is also much connected with a scrofulous constitution. Many internal parts, also, are subject to disease in scrofulous habits.

The constitutional treatment, which is by far the most important, should be as healthful and invigorating as possible; good diet, air, and exercise, are necessary; a residence in the country, or sea-bathing, are useful auxiliaries. Sponging the skin with tepid salt and water, or the use of cold sea-water, if it can be borne, followed up by diligent rubbing with coarse towels and the flesh-brush, is most beneficial. The bowels must be regulated, and occasional doses of rhubarb and grey powder may be useful. A steady and long-continued course of tonics and alteratives will do most good in the way of medicines. Great benefit is often derived from taking cod-liver oil.