Scrōf'ū-lā, n.

n. [Lat. scrofulæ, from scrofa, a breeding sow, because swine are frequently subject to that complaint, or by a fanciful comparison of the glandular swellings to little pigs; Fr. scrofules, It. scrofula, Sp. escrofula.] [See SCROYLE.] (Med.) A constitutional disease, generally hereditary, which affects the lymphatic glands, oftenest those of the neck; but no organ is exempt from its influence, and it frequently develops in pulmonary consumption; king's evil; struma.

The lymphatic glands are affected with a chronic inflammation, with or without a deposit of tubercular matter within them, suppurate, discharge, and heal slowly.