On Plica Polonica. 325 
thofe whofe object is the extenfion of general fcience. 
The difeafe termed Plica Polonica is of the latter 
clafs. It is endemic in Poland; and feldom, if 
ever, obferved in any other part of Europe. During 
a long ftay at Breflau in Silefia, I had frequent 
opportunities of obferving this difeafe: and, as it is 
at prefent little known in Britain, I truft a brief 
narration of the principal circumftances connected 
with it will not prove uninterefling. 
Both fexes are equally liable to the attacks of 
Plica. It ufually appears during infancy; and but 
feldom after the age of twenty. When once pro- 
duced, it continues during the remainder of life. 
The acceffion of the complaint is in. general pre- 
ceded by irregular fpafmodic affections, pains in 
different parts of the body, a flow fever, and various 
difeafes of the eyes; all which ceafe immediately 
on the appearance of the Plica. 
The diforder confifts in a preternaturally rapid 
growth of the hair, with a copious fecretion of a 
vifcid matter from its bulbs. For the moft part, 
the hairs of the head are alone affected ;- and that- 
only in peculiar parts. In thefe, the hairs grow 
confiderably longer than in the reft; and are knot- 
ted and entangled with each other; being alfo covered 
with the vifcid matter which iffues from their roots, 
and which affifts in gluing them together. 
In proportion as the quantity of this gluten, 
and the implication of the hair increafes, it is ftill 
more and more difficult to clean and comb it; hence 
a degree 
