Scrofula

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.

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This disease is also called "The King's Evil," as it was believed in the Middle Ages that the touch of the sovereign of England or France could cure it, they having received this power from descent from Edward the Confessor, who, according to some legends, received it from Saint Remigius. The original Book of Common Prayer of the Anglican Church contained a ceremony for this, and it was traditional for the monarch (king or queen) to present to the touched person a coin -- usually an Angel, a gold coin the value of which varied from about 6 shillings to about 10 shillings. King Henry IV of France is reported as often touching and healing as many as 1,500 individuals at a time.

Skin disease: REDIRECT Cutaneous conditions...

Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is an infection with the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect the central nervous system (meningitis), lymphatic system, circulatory system (miliary TB), genitourinary system, bones and joints....

Lymph node: Lymph nodes are components of the lymphatic system....

Scrofula related Images and Photos (experimental)

Endemic Scrofula Illustration from a Book by Baron Jean Louis Alibert

St. Louis Curing the Sufferers of Scrofula

Henri IV (1553-1610) Curing the Sufferers of Scrofula