\Scrof"u*la\, n. [L. scrofulae, fr. scrofa a breeding
sow, because swine were supposed to be subject to such a
complaint, or by a fanciful comparison of the glandular
swellings to little pigs; perhaps akin to Gr. ? an old sow:
cf. F. scrofules. Cf. {Scroyle}.] (Med.)
A constitutional disease, generally hereditary, especially
manifested by chronic enlargement and cheesy degeneration of
the lymphatic glands, particularly those of the neck, and
marked by a tendency to the development of chronic
intractable inflammations of the skin, mucous membrane,
bones, joints, and other parts, and by a diminution in the
power of resistance to disease or injury and the capacity for
recovery. Scrofula is now generally held to be tuberculous in
character, and may develop into general or local tuberculosis
(consumption).