SCROFULA

This disease was originally termed xotpas, or swine disease, by the Greeks; and later nosologists have translated it by the term scrofula. It consists in indurated glandular tumours, especially about the neck, which, when they suppurate, discharge a white curdled matter, unlike healthy pus. Scrofula is not contagious, but often a hereditary disease, and dependent upon a peculiar predisposition in the constitution: its first appearance is usually between the third and seventh years of the child's age, and it.seldom shows itself after the age of puberty. It is most common among delicate children with fair complexions, and those disposed to rickets. It is rare in warm climates, and seems to be favoured by cold and variable countries. It is promoted by everything that debilitates; and when its exciting causes are by any accident not brought into action, it may even remain dormant through life, and not show itself till the next generation. In mild cases the glands, after having suppurated, slowly heal; in others the eyes and eyelids are inflamed, and the joints become affected, the disease gradually extending to the ligaments and bones, and producing a hectic and debilitated state, under which the patient sinks; or it ends irftuberculated lungs and pulmonary consumption. In the treatment of the mild and simpler forms of scrofula, the diet should be nourishing and invigorating, and a dry situation and sea air are to be sought for; great attention should be paid to the clothing, so as to avoid colds and coughs; and tonics and gentle stimulants, with mild narcotics, and occasionally the alkalis, should be prescribed. Iodine has sometimes appeared of much service, but it requires the greatest circumspection in its internal use; it may be applied externally, as may also sea water and other saline lotions. Chalybeates and mercurials are frequently prescribed; and much benefit has, in some instances, been derived from a course of sarsapari'Ia. - SCROPHULARIACEiE. (Scroe'-iarK nv if tht genera.) A natural order of herbaceous or snrubuy r.i.ti> petalous Exogens, inhabiting all parts of the world, except the coldest. The stamens are either didynamous or unsymmetrical: neverthele the affinity of the order is undoubtedly with Solanaccac, through the medium of the tribe Salpiglo ideiB: so that it becomes nece ary to separate them by a mere artificial distinction, considering as Solanocccb such genera as have a plaited corolla and five stamens, [s. 1112]