CROFULA, OR KING'S EVIL.

Scrofula, at every time of life, is the most formidable enemy of the
human race, and, under various shapes, it occasions more deaths than
all other chronic diseases whatever.--M. POILROUX.

This disease is extremely prevalent in this country; so much so that
scarcely any family can claim an exemption from its attacks. It is
technically called _Struma_, or _Scrofula_, which are synonymous
terms; but in common language it is called the King's Evil. The latter
appellation is derived from the circumstance of Edward the Confessor,
touching persons afflicted with it; and it is said they were
miraculously cured thereby. This practice was continued down to the
reign of Charles the Second, who touched 92,000 persons afflicted with
the disease; and it appears that Queen Anne was the last Sovereign who
practised such a ridiculous and superstitious imposition. Having thus
disposed of the origin of the name of the disease, I may observe that
it is more particularly prevalent in those countries where there are
great vicissitudes of weather; hence it prevails in Scotland, and the
northern parts of Germany and France, as well as in Great Britain; in
fact, a cold atmosphere, in almost any country, powerfully predisposes
to, or excites an attack of scrofula. It is on this well-known
principle that we are enabled to explain the frequent occurrence of
the disease in this country during the changeable state of the Spring
and Autumn seasons; for it is perfectly true, that it frequently makes
its first appearance at one or other of those periods; or where it may
be already in existence it becomes excessively aggravated. This
disease cannot be propagated by contact or contagion; it exists in
individuals in whom there is a peculiarity of constitution which
predisposes them to its attacks; and this brings me to the
consideration of one of the most important causes of the disease,
namely, _an hereditary taint_. It is a well ascertained fact that 99
cases out of 100 arise from this cause, and the result of my practice
corroborates it. It is, however, very remarkable that it may appear in
one generation, pass over the second, and appear again in the third.
The other causes of this disease are bad and unwholesome diet,
insufficient clothing, neglect of exercise, and want of proper
cleanliness. I may also observe, that it frequently makes its first
appearance after an attack of measles, small-pox, rheumatic fever, or
oth