Part 1

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OBSERVATIONS

ON THE

CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND NATURE

OF

SCROFULA OR KING'S EVIL,

SCURVY, AND CANCER;

WITH

CASES ILLUSTRATIVE OF A PECULIAR MODE OF TREATMENT.

BY J. KENT, _Stanton, Suffolk_.

_Eighth Edition._

BURY ST. EDMUND'S: PRINTED BY W. B. FROST, 34, CHURCHGATE STREET.

MDCCCXXXIII.

PREFACE.

In consequence of the extreme prevalence of Scrofulous, Scorbutic, and Cancerous Diseases, and the ignorance which exists on the part of the public, as to their causes, symptoms, and nature, I have been induced to reprint my observations on those subjects, and to send forth an Eighth Edition for the information of the afflicted.

To these remarks, I have appended a relation of several cases, which have been cured by a peculiar mode of treatment which I have been in the habit of employing for twenty-six years; during which long period I have seen and treated an immense number of cases of the above description.

These cases I have rendered very concise, preferring the main points in each to a verbose and tiresome description of the minutiae; and although the number might have been extended to many hundreds, I trust a sufficiency have been detailed to establish the success of my practice, and to show the afflicted the nature and modes of attack of the diseases above mentioned.

I have confined myself to a simple relation of the facts of each case, and on those facts such case must stand or fall. I have not resorted to those _artificial props_ which some men are in the habit of employing because the cases themselves are too lame to stand alone; I allude to the practice of soliciting the attestations of the patients, and decoying the simple, the ignorant, well-intentioned, but deceived neighbours, to add their signatures to cases of which they know nothing, and of which the details are a series of bombast, falsehood, ignorance, and humbug. There are many of the cases which I have related to which I could have obtained the signatures of clergymen, Members of Parliament, magistrates, and other persons high in rank and station in life, without saying a word about overseers, churchwardens, and parishioners, the signatures of whom might be obtained at all times; but, established as my practice is, I would scorn to importune those gentlemen, and impertinently to place their names before the public in a position which every sensible man must declare to be that of extreme negligence, ignorance, or unbecoming officiousness.

It may be readily supposed, that from the long career of success which I have had in the treatment of scrofulous diseases, some impudent individuals should have attempted to imitate my mode of proceeding, and to foist themselves and their spurious _remedies_ upon the public; of this I should have cared nothing had they not done it at my expense; because these inventions will find their proper level in the estimation of the public, notwithstanding their props and delusions. But these men are absolutely so ignorant, that they are compelled to copy my cases and observations _verbatim_; and I have little doubt that this edition will have issued from the press but a very few months, before one or other of them will be purloining such parts of it as their hired scribes may consider to answer their purpose. Not that these imposters _understand_ the observations which I have made on scrofula or cancer, their heads are too empty--their ignorance too profound--and their pretensions consequently too barefaced. Relying upon the credulity of the public, they make no scruple in being guilty of glaring plagiarism; they thus strut about in borrowed plumes, and their presumption keeps pace with their want of information.

As a proof of the grossest ignorance, I have seen it asserted that sixty cases of _confirmed_ (or constitutional) cancer in the mouth or throat, have been treated with complete success; while, in reality, the cases, _if they ever existed_, (of which I have considerable doubt) were either of a scrofulous nature, or the remains of a certain disease. I am confident the pretender NEVER saw a _real case_ of cancer of the mouth and throat; and the very assertion that portions of bone have been exfoliated in these cases, gives the lie direct to the whole, for it is a fact that cancer never causes bone to _exfoliate_, and in this I am borne out by every medical authority. It may cause the long bones to become fragile, so that the patient may have a fractured limb from a very slight cause, or it may convert bone into a dense carcinomatous structure; but _exfoliation will never take place_. Then as to the occurrence of _confirmed_ cancer in the mouth and throat, I have no hesitation in stating that it _rarely if ever occurs_, and that if it ever did, it was a perfectly incurable disease; and I could cite a host of authorities to prove my assertion. And who is to oppose these great authorities? What man with experience so extensive--with knowledge so profound--with sagacity so searching--with learning so deep--shall declare that he himself has seen and treated sixty cases of _true carcinomatous disease_ of the mouth and throat? Who is this Goliah of Surgery? Who is the judge in this matter to whose opinion he commands us to bow? Reader! the fact is, that the assertion is so glaringly false, that if only a particle of shame enter into his composition, it must betray its existence.

This, however, is only one part of the fabricated statements which have been delusively put forth to deceive and misguide the public; but I presume it would be a waste of time to attempt to prove the abominable practices of these empirics; not that it would be a difficult matter to do so, for were I so disposed I could adduce such a body of evidence as would demolish their empty pretensions with as much ease as the sun dispels the morning vapours. But I think my readers will agree with me that I have displayed enough of their charlatanry to satisfy any man who lays claim to anything like common sense.

Leaving, then, these literary delinquents to their HONEST _reflections_, I have merely to observe, that the medicines and applications which I am in the habit of using, are principally selected from indigenous plants; and I cannot but regret that the medical botany of our own country should have been so much neglected; and I am not singular in this opinion, as many eminent medical men have expressed themselves to the same effect; and, indeed, many of the plants which I use are now frequently resorted to by the faculty. I claim _no specific_ in the treatment of those diseases which come under my cognizance; I merely state that my mode of managing those cases has been extremely successful, and refer the reader to the following cases as a proof of my assertion.

It will be seen that many of these cases have been of long standing. This has been done for the purpose of showing that the medicines and treatment generally exert a permanent effect on the constitution of the patient, thus allaying the scruples of many persons, that although they may be successful for a certain period, they may not prevent a relapse. This may be perfectly true in some cases; all the patients in these cases were perfectly well when this pamphlet went to press; yet I will not positively assert that they shall always continue so. This assurance would be foolish and indiscreet, because there is scarcely one disease to which the human frame is subject, which may not, on some peculiar exciting cause being applied, be again brought into action, although the person may have been perfectly relieved from the first attack. Instances of this description frequently occur in secondary attacks of measles, small-pox, scarlet fever, &c.; and surely it may occur in a disease like scrofula, the nature and treatment of which has "_perplexed the researches and baffled the efforts of the most eminent writers and practitioners of Europe_." At any rate, when we see cases of twenty years' standing, and upwards, there is but little room for suspicion of a relapse.

In conclusion, I have to beg that the reader will attentively peruse the observations on Scrofula and Cancer; as I consider it highly important that every individual should be fully acquainted with the symptoms of these, too often, intractable diseases, and that their approaches should be crushed at the onset. As to the cases, the reader is at full liberty to make every inquiry; and being based upon the foundation of truth, I have no apprehension as to the result proving perfectly satisfactory, whether such inquiry be directed by an honest impulse, or by feelings of a more questionable description.

JOHN KENT _Stanton, Aug. 10, 1833._

ON STRUMA, SCROFULA, OR KING'S EVIL.

Scrofula, at every time of life, is the most formidable enemy of the human race, and, under various shapes, it occasions more deaths than all other chronic diseases whatever.--M. POILROUX.

This disease is extremely prevalent in this country; so much so that scarcely any family can claim an exemption from its attacks. It is technically called _Struma_, or _Scrofula_, which are synonymous terms; but in common language it is called the King's Evil. The latter appellation is derived from the circumstance of Edward the Confessor, touching persons afflicted with it; and it is said they were miraculously cured thereby. This practice was continued down to the reign of Charles the Second, who touched 92,000 persons afflicted with the disease; and it appears that Queen Anne was the last Sovereign who practised such a ridiculous and superstitious imposition. Having thus disposed of the origin of the name of the disease, I may observe that it is more particularly prevalent in those countries where there are great vicissitudes of weather; hence it prevails in Scotland, and the northern parts of Germany and France, as well as in Great Britain; in fact, a cold atmosphere, in almost any country, powerfully predisposes to, or excites an attack of scrofula. It is on this well-known principle that we are enabled to explain the frequent occurrence of the disease in this country during the changeable state of the Spring and Autumn seasons; for it is perfectly true, that it frequently makes its first appearance at one or other of those periods; or where it may be already in existence it becomes excessively aggravated. This disease cannot be propagated by contact or contagion; it exists in individuals in whom there is a peculiarity of constitution which predisposes them to its attacks; and this brings me to the consideration of one of the most important causes of the disease, namely, _an hereditary taint_. It is a well ascertained fact that 99 cases out of 100 arise from this cause, and the result of my practice corroborates it. It is, however, very remarkable that it may appear in one generation, pass over the second, and appear again in the third. The other causes of this disease are bad and unwholesome diet, insufficient clothing, neglect of exercise, and want of proper cleanliness. I may also observe, that it frequently makes its first appearance after an attack of measles, small-pox, rheumatic fever, or other debilitating affections; and it is often excited into obvious existence by blows, sprains, bruises, or other accidents.

This disease may attack any part of the human body; but in general commences in the _glandular_ structures, such as the glands in the arm-pits, in the neck, &c.; it often also attacks the joints, as the knee, the elbow, the hip, the wrist, the ankle, and likewise the fingers and toes. Too often it does not confine its ravages to the external parts, but it attacks the vital parts; when it affects the lungs it is called consumption, and I wish this to be particularly understood, that _consumption is neither more nor less than scrofula of the lungs_. When it attacks the glands of the mesentery, the belly becomes large and hard, while the legs and arms waste; the patient is voracious, yet his food fails in affording sufficient nourishment, and he gradually loses his strength and dies. Then the liver, the heart, the spleen, and even the brain itself, may become the seats of this dreadful disease. Lastly, we may mention that the bones are very commonly affected, and even destroyed, from the attacks and long continuance of the disease. Hence it will be seen, that both internal and external parts of the human body are equally liable to the ravages of scrofula; and it is proper to remark, that it often commences externally, and after an uncertain time, it leaves the surface and attacks the internal parts, in which case it almost invariably terminates fatally. Many times have I seen the disease commence in the joints, or in the glandular parts, and go on for a considerable length of time; it has then left these parts, and the unhappy patient has been carried off by consumption, or scrofula of the lungs. In the same manner have I often remarked, that after limbs have been amputated for scrofula, the operation has evidently hastened the death of the patient, by the disease immediately attacking the more important parts. It is for this reason that I have a decided objection to all operations for scrofula, because the experience which I have had in scrofula for the last 26 years, has proved to me that such operations are worse than useless; I consider them as positively dangerous, inasmuch as they hasten an event which in all probability might have been prevented.--Scrofula is not a _local_ disease which may be remedied by the knife or any other local remedy; but it is a _constitutional_ disease, which must be treated by constitutional means.

Now scrofula is so insidious in its approach, and so distressing, and often fatal, in its consequences, that the form of its commencement ought to be known to all individuals who are liable to its attacks, either from an hereditary tendency, or other causes. When it commences in the glands about the neck, behind the ears, in the arm-pits, hams, &c., it appears as hard and indolent swellings, somewhat moveable under the skin, the colour of which is little changed; these tumours or swellings gradually increase in number and size till they form one large hard tumour, which often continues for a long time without breaking, and when it does break it only discharges a thin _sanies_ or watery humour from one or more small apertures. The disease even then maintains its indolent character; the ulcerated parts become languid and inactive, and the constitution begins to be affected; the patient complains of weakness--there is a want of appetite; there are frequently profuse night sweats, and feeling of languor and lassitude.

When from blows, bruises, sprains, or other causes, the joints of the elbows, wrists, ankles, knees, fingers or toes, become affected, the disease proceeds in the same slow manner, frequently destroying the ligaments or tendons; the matter insinuating itself between the bones till they become carious, and ultimately destroyed. What is commonly termed _white swelling_ is of this description; it may continue for a great length of time, and yet the patient may recover, excepting a stiffness or contraction of the affected joint. I may also remark that in Scrofulous constitutions there is frequently a thickness of the upper lip, or swelling of the lower part of the nose; the eyes are also peculiarly liable to attacks of scrofula, in which case the light is remarkably offensive to those organs. The skin and muscles are loose and flabby; and the mental powers of children so affected are often prematurely displayed.

Having thus described the nature and symptoms of scrofula, I shall now proceed to make some observations on the treatment of that disease.

The cure of scrofula is generally so difficult that it has become an _opprobrium_ of surgery. There is not _one_ specific remedy for it; even the medicines and applications which I am in the habit of employing, will not be equally efficacious in persons of different constitutions, nor in the same person at all times; and as such, some little alteration frequently becomes necessary to adapt the remedies to the present state of the disease. It is from this difficulty of cure that so many remedies have been proposed in scrofula; and yet the same difficulty continues, plainly shewing that the greater part of these _nostra_ are mere deceptions, imposing upon the sufferer, both in mind and pocket. Hence the proposers of these fictitious remedies become more bold and impudent than ever; nothing is too barefaced for them to publish; not even that they can extract carious bone without any other aid than "_the power of their medicines_,"--than which nothing can be more impudently false. These deceptions, however, find their proper level, and they then rapidly sink into oblivion. The botanical medicines and applications which I have had the honour to bring before the public as remedies for scrofula have stood the test of _twenty-six years_' experience; during which period many hundreds of cures have been effected solely by their agency. They still maintain their unrivalled efficacy; scrofula has yielded its stubbornness and its malignity to their powers in a vast variety of instances, and they may be fairly considered as established in the opinion of the public. Yet, notwithstanding this success, I do not publish them as specifics; I am not vain enough to challenge the world, like a mountebank; I am aware that they do, in some constitutions, sometimes fail of effecting a cure; yet the great majority of instances in which they have succeeded after every other means had been tried, fully entitle them to superior consideration; more especially, as in those cases where they may have failed of complete success, they have evidently been of essential service in retarding the progress and alleviating the pain of the disease. I would also remark that they exert a permanent effect on the constitution; the patient is not cured to-day and his case published to-morrow; but most of the cures which I have published have been of from _two to twenty years_' standing.

I would now particularly direct the attention of patients to the nature, causes, and symptoms of scrofula, as detailed above, the more especially as I have patients daily coming to me who do not know what disease they are really labouring under, and express their astonishment on being told its real nature. By attending to the symptoms they might then attack the disease before it becomes fully developed, when it "often produces the most miserable objects of human wretchedness;" and when it frequently becomes impossible to say, "Thus far shalt thou go, and no further."

CANCER,

ITS NATURE AND SYMPTOMS.

Cancer is, unfortunately, one of those desperate diseases to which the human frame is liable, and more to be dreaded than any other, inasmuch as it is insidious in its approach, and destructive to the greatest degree when it is perfectly developed. It is so intractable and malignant in its nature that it is generally considered an incurable disease; and not without reason, as notwithstanding the great increase of knowledge amongst that valuable portion of the community, the medical profession, yet it baffles all their efforts to subdue it, and sets at defiance all the triumphs of science. This disease rarely occurs in young subjects. An eminent surgeon states, that in the course of nearly forty years' extensive practice, he has seen but two instances of its occurring under 30 years of age; most usually it commences at the age of between forty and fifty years. Like many other diseases it is frequently hereditary, many members of the same family having become the subjects of cancer. It most usually attacks the female breast, the lips, particularly the lower one, the tongue, the skin, and the glandular parts about the neck and arm-pits; the stomach, the liver, the lungs, and the brain, may also become affected with this terrible malady. Sometimes it commences without any ostensible cause, and the attention of the patient is frequently directed to the case by mere accident; at other times, blows, bruises, or continued pressure upon a part, may often be traced as the exciting cause. In either case, however, it is generally found in the state of a hard lump or knot, varying in its size, it is loose and moveable, without pain or discolouration of the skin. It may continue in this state for many months, or even years; it then enlarges, the surface of the tumour becomes more or less knotty or uneven; it becomes hot and painful, and the pain is of a peculiar darting, piercing nature, or what the faculty technically call _lancinating_; and the patient's health, which had hitherto continued tolerably well, now begins to suffer from the irritation of the disease. In process of time the part ulcerates, a discharge of fetid ichorous matter issues from it; sometimes it bleeds freely, and there is a burning pain in the part. The ulcer becomes of considerable size, and assumes a frightful aspect. The patient becomes dejected in his spirits, his countenance is sallow and woe worn, his appetite fails, his days and nights are full of sorrow and pain, the disease still progresses, till, finally, death comes to the aid of the unhappy sufferer, and closes the scene of anguish and misery.

Such is the progress of this appalling malady. It commences apparently in a trifling way, it terminates in destruction of life.