Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 4, 1802).djvu/52

32&#93; 52] SCR duals attain to a maturity of un- derstanding superior to others of the same age. in some countries, the disease is endemial : thus, it is uncommonly prevalent in Britain, Holland, Switzerland, and Cariu- thia. Scrophula often frustrates the efforts of the healing art ; though it seldom proves fatal, while it is confined to the external glands ; but, if it extend its influence to the pulmonary organs, it frequently produces tubercles, and eventually consumption. When the joints are diseased, it occasions tumors, stiff- ness of the limb, ulcers, decay of the bones, and often emaciation of the bfxly, till death closes the fatal scene. Causes : — "Whatever tends to produce a viscid lymph, and to de- bilitate the constitution in general, $uch as coarse and acid diet, espe- cially pastry ; moist air ; damp ha- bitations j colds J want of exercise; impure water j and the vitiated milk of nurses ; all may engender the evil. Farther, when the scro- phulous taint is once introtluced into the constitution, it generally appears after the sm:dl-pox, mea- sles, and even in consequence of external injuries. "Whether this disorder be hereditary and conta- gious, is a point on which the opi- nions are divided j but whether it may, or may not, be communicated by contad, prudence would dic- tate, that healthy children should not be sutt"ercd to sleep with scro- phulous persons. Cure : — A great variety of re- medies has been devised for re- moving scropluila : the principal difficulty in extirpating this ma- lady, however, arises from the cir- cumstance, that it may remain con- cealed for a long lime, and thus SCR become deeply nx>tcd in the con* stitution, before its etfe6ts are evi- dent. Hence, we shall confine our account to such remedies as have generally been atttended with salu- tary effefts. In order to resolve the viscid lymi>h, and to strengthen the sys- tem, the use of Peruvian bark, in the state of powder, combined with hemlock, forms an excellent reme- dy ; but the proper doses ought to be regulated by a medical pra6ti- titioner. Sea-water and sea-bath- ing, as well as moderate exercise, especially in a warm, serene at- mosphere, are aUke conducive to recovery. During this course, the bowels should be gently and regu- larly opened ; the diet ou^ht to be light, consisting of nutritive food, easily digestible j and the sleep must also be moderate, not exceeding seven or eight hours in adults, and nine or ten hours, in children. — Friftions will be ser'iceable, by promoting the circulation of the fluids, and tending to strengthen the solids. Hemlock-plasters ap- plied to the tumors, and burnt sponge combined with small por^- tions of black pepper, taken betore breakfast, liave frequently been of service in reducing them, especi- ally if assisted by sea-bathing. Mercurials and antimonials are powerful, though precarious, re- medies J and, if the former be em- ployed in consequence of n)edical advice, they should never be given in such quantities as to induce sali- vation, which would doubtless ;ig- gravate the disorder.— 'Milk-whey, with the DEAn-NETTLKs, has also occasionally been found useful ; but we forbear to mention the ab- surd sympathetic remedies former- ly resorted to, for the cure of the evil; as these superstitious prac- ticci