e,
night sweats, and general feebleness of the system. The resulting open
ulcers show little disposition to heal.

SYMPTOMS. There is a train of symptoms characteristic of all scrofulous
disease. The appetite may be altogether lost or feeble, or in extreme
cases, voracious. In some instances there is an unusual disposition to
eat fatty substances. The general derangement of the alimentary
functions is indicated by a red, glazed or furrowed appearance of the
tongue, flatulent condition of the stomach, and bloated state of the
bowels, followed by diarrhea or manifesting obstinate constipation.
Thirst and frequent acid eructations accompany the imperfect digestion.
The foul breath, early decay of the teeth, the slimy, glairy stools,
having the appearance of the white of eggs, and an intolerable fetor,
all are indicative of the scrofulous tendencies of the system.

CAUSES. Scrofula may be attributed to various causes. Observation has
shown that ill-assorted marriages are a prolific source of scrofula.
Both parents may be not only healthy and free from hereditary taints,
but robust, well-formed physically, perfectly developed, and yet not one
of their children be free from this dire disease. It may present itself
in the form of hip disease, white swelling, "fever-sore" suppurating
glands, curvature of the spine, rickets, ulcers, pulmonary consumption,
or some skin disease, in every case showing the original perversion of
the constitution and functions. Scrofula is hereditary when the disease,
or the diathesis which predisposes to its development, is transmitted
from one or both parents who are affected by it, or who are deficient in
constitutional energy, showing feeble nutrition, lack of circulatory
force, and a diminished vitality. All these conditions indicate that a
few exposures and severe colds are often sufficient to produce a train
of symptoms, which terminate in pulmonary or other strumous affections.
Whatever deranges the function of nutrition is favorable to the
development of scrofula, therefore, irregularities and various excesses
tend to inaugurate it. Depletion of the blood by drastic and poisonous
medicines, such as antimony and mercurials, hemorrhages and
blood-letting, syphilis, excessive mental or physical labor, as well as
a too early use and abuse of the sexual organs, all tend to waste the
blood, reduce the tone of the system, and develop scrofula.

[Illustration: Fig. 1.
A Scrofulous Tumor]

Scrof