Observations on the Causes, Symptoms, and Nature of Scrofula or Kings Evil, Scurvy, and Cancer | Page 3

every inquiry; and being based upon the foundation of truth, I
have no apprehension as to the result proving perfectly satisfactory,
whether such inquiry be directed by an honest impulse, or by feelings
of a more questionable description.
JOHN KENT Stanton, Aug. 10, 1833.

ON STRUMA, SCROFULA, 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 other debilitating
affections; and it is often excited into obvious existence by blows,
sprains, bruises, or other accidents.
This disease may attack any part of the human body; but in general
commences in the glandular structures, such as the glands in the
arm-pits, in the neck, &c.; it often also attacks the joints, as the knee,
the elbow, the hip, the wrist, the ankle, and likewise the fingers and
toes. Too often it does not confine its ravages to the external parts, but
it attacks the vital parts; when it affects the lungs it is called
consumption, and I wish this to be particularly understood, that
consumption is neither more nor less than scrofula of the lungs. When
it attacks the glands of the mesentery, the belly becomes large and hard,
while the legs and arms waste; the patient is voracious, yet his food
fails in affording sufficient nourishment, and he gradually loses his
strength and dies. Then the liver, the heart, the spleen, and even the

brain itself, may become the seats of this dreadful disease. Lastly, we
may mention that the bones are very commonly affected, and even
destroyed, from the attacks and long continuance of the disease. Hence
it will be seen, that both internal and external parts of the human body
are equally liable to the ravages of scrofula; and it is proper to remark,
that it often commences externally, and after an uncertain time, it
leaves the surface and attacks the internal parts, in which case it almost
invariably terminates fatally. Many times have I seen the disease
commence in the joints, or in the glandular parts, and go on for a
considerable length of time; it has then left these parts, and the unhappy
patient has been carried off by consumption, or scrofula of the lungs. In
the same manner have I often remarked, that after limbs have been
amputated for scrofula, the operation has evidently hastened the death
of the patient, by the disease immediately attacking the more important
parts. It is for this reason that I have a decided objection to