A constitutional disease, generally hereditary, especially manifested by chronic enlargement and cheesy degeneration of the lymphatic glands, particularly those of the neck, and marked by a tendency to the development of chronic intractable inflammations of the skin, mucous membrane, bones, joints, and other parts, and by a diminution in the power of resistance to disease or injury and the capacity for recovery. Scrofula is now generally held to be tuberculous in character, and may develop into general or local tuberculosis (consumption).
Sometimes known as the King's Evil. It is tuberculosis of a gland in the neck. At one time it was believed that being touched by the king could cure the disease
a form of tuberculosis characterized by swellings of the lymphatic glands
tubercular infection of the neck lymph nodes
tuberculosis of the neck lymph nodes or lymphatic glands
swellings of the neck glands (dim. of scrofa, a sow: problem from the swollen condition of the glands). Tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, esp. of the neck.
(King's Evil): very common form of tuberculosis in the nineteenth century, consisting of enlarged rubbery lymph nodes in the neck, which were not painful, and often drained onto the skin of the neck via the sinus tracts. Before antibiotics offered a reliable way to treat tuberculosis it could be a very chronic infection, lasting for years. During the middle ages it was popularly believed that the touch of the king could cure scrofula, hence, King's Evil.
Primary tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, especially those in the neck. A disease of children and young adults, it represents a direct extension of tuberculosis into the skin from underlying lymph nodes. It evolves into cold abscesses, multiple skin ulcers, and draining sinus tracts. Synonym: king's evil.
ulcerous condition of skin usually found on neck; also know as "the King's evil" believed to be cured by the laying on of royal hands (usually cure started by cleaning up the victim before the royal audience
Tuberculosis involving the lymph nodes of the neck, usually occurs in early life. Now very rarely seen.
Scrofula (Scrophula or Struma) refers to a variety of skin diseases; in particular, a form of tuberculosis, affecting the lymph nodes of the neck. In adults it is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in children by nontuberculous mycobacteria. The word comes from the Latin scrofulae, meaning brood sow.