IMPETIGINES. 635 



grounds that I can perceive. In very many instances, there 

 can hardly be any suspicion of the parents producing this dis- 

 ease having been imbued with syphilis, or with any syphilitic 

 taint ; and I have known several examples of parents convey- 

 ing syphilis to their offspring, in whom, however, no scrofulous 

 symptoms at any time afterwards appeared. Further, the 

 symptoms of the two diseases are very different ; and the dif- 

 ference of their natures appears particularly from hence, that 

 while mercury commonly and readily cures the syphilis, it does 

 no service in scrofula, and very often rather aggravates the 

 disease. 



MDCCLIII. For the cure of scrofula, we have not yet 

 learned any practice that is certainly or even generally success- 

 ful. 



The remedy which seems to be the most successful, and 

 which our practitioners especially trust to and employ, is the 

 use of mineral waters ; and indeed the washing out, by means 

 of these, the lymphatic system, would seem to be a measure 

 promising success : but in very many instances of the use of 

 these waters, I have not been well satisfied that they had short- 

 ened the duration of the disease more than had often happened 

 when no such remedy had been employed. 



MDCCLIV. With regard to the choice of the mineral wa- 

 ters most fit for the purpose, I cannot with any confidence give 

 an opinion. 



Almost all kinds of mineral waters, whether chalybeate, sul- 

 phureous, or saline, have been employed for the cure of scrofula, 

 and seemingly with equal success and reputation ; a circum- 

 stance which leads me to think, that, if they are ever successful, 

 it is the elementary water that is the chief part of the remedy. 



Of late, sea-water has been especially recommended and em- 

 ployed ; but after numerous trials, I cannot yet discover its su- 

 perior efficacy. 



MDCCLV. The other remedies proposed by practical writ- 

 ers are very numerous ; but, upon that very account, I appre- 

 hend they are little to be trusted ; and as I cannot perceive any 

 just reason for expecting success from them, I have very seldom 

 employed them. 



