Scrofula Collection

Father Thames Diseases
Father Thames introducing his offspring to the fair city of London; diphtheria, scrofula and cholera

Valentine Greatracks or Greatorex (1628-1666), known as Grearakes the Stroker
527504 Valentine Greatracks or Greatorex (1628-1666), known as Grearakes the Stroker. Greatracks 'touched' for the King's Evil (Scrofula) which he also treated with carrot poultices

Father Thames introducing his offspring to the fair city of London. 1858. (A design for a Fresco in the New Houses of Parliament.) Father Thames introduces his children, Diptheria

Queen Anne touching Dr Johnson, when a boy, to cure him of scrofula
LLM455974 Queen Anne touching Dr Johnson, when a boy, to cure him of scrofula by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Queen Anne touching Dr Johnson, when a boy)

Queen Anne touching Young Samuel Johnson for the Evil (engraving)
654546 Queen Anne touching Young Samuel Johnson for the Evil (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Queen Anne touching Young Samuel Johnson for the Evil)

Queen Annes Touch (engraving)
2813221 Queen Annes Touch (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Queen Annes Touch. Illustration for Chatterbox (1890).); © Look and Learn

Mary Tudor (1516-58) Curing the Kings Evil (w / c on paper)
TPG189166 Mary Tudor (1516-58) Curing the Kings Evil (w/c on paper) by English School; Private Collection; (add.info.: disease of the lymphatic glands; ); English, out of copyright

Mary Tudor touches a scrofulous boy (pigment on vellum)
3744635 Mary Tudor touches a scrofulous boy (pigment on vellum) by English School, (16th century); Westminster Cathedral Library

Accidents caracteristiques de la scrofulose a la periode secondaire (colour litho)
5210427 Accidents caracteristiques de la scrofulose a la periode secondaire (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Trade card advertising Ayerss Sarsaparilla, which gives Health and Happy Hours. Billed as a treatment for Scrofula and other blood disorders. Manufactured in Massachusetts, USA. Date: circa 1895

Scrophularia Ehrharti. Ehrharts Water-Betony, 19th Century. The green figwort, water betony, or water figwort, is a perennial herbaceous plant found in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere

Charles II touching a patient for the Kings evil, c1680 (1903). Artist: Frederick-Hendrik van den Hove
Charles II touching a patient for the Kings evil, c1680 (1903).The royal touch was a form of laying on of hands, whereby French and English monarchs would touch their subjects

Father Thames Introducing His offspring to the Fair City of London. English cartoon, 1858
CHOLERA CARTOON, 1858. Father Thames Introducing His offspring to the Fair City of London. English cartoon, 1858, by John Leech on the need to provide proper sanitation

Queen Anne touching young Samuel Johnson for the evil. Samuel Johnson contracted scrofula, also called the Kings Evil because it was believed that if touched by a monarch it would be cured

Father Thames Introduces his Offspring to the Fair City of London, a design for a
XJF121252 Father Thames Introduces his Offspring to the Fair City of London, a design for a fresco in the new Houses of Parliament (engraving) (b&w photo) by English School

The Manner of his Majesty Curing the Disease Called the King s-Evil, engraved
XJF105392 The Manner of his Majesty Curing the Disease Called the King s-Evil, engraved by Frederick Hendrick van Hove (c.1628-98) printed for Dorman Newman (engraving) (b/w photo) (also see 259707)

Greatracks touched for Scrofula
Valentine Greatracks or Greatorex (1628 - 1666), known as Grearakes the Stroker. Greatracks touched for the Kings Evil (Scrofula) which he also treated with carrot poultices. Woodcut 1837

Father Thames and his Offspring
Father Thames Introducing his Offspring to the Fair City of London, the offspring being Diphtheria, Scrofula and Cholera. More an open sewer than a river

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"Scrofula: A Historical Journey of the Kings Evil" In 1858, Father Thames Diseases unveiled his offspring to the bustling city of London. This captivating moment marked a significant chapter in medical history - the era when scrofula, also known as the Kings Evil, held its grip on society. One such tale revolves around Queen Anne and her extraordinary ability to cure this affliction. Legend has it that she touched a young Samuel Johnson, later renowned for his literary prowess, to rid him of scrofula. Engravings depicting this miraculous event immortalize Queen Anne's healing touch. But Queen Anne was not alone in possessing this mystical power. Mary Tudor herself was said to have laid her hands upon scrofulous boys with hopes of their recovery. Vivid pigments on vellum capture these poignant moments when royalty reached out to alleviate suffering. The characteristic accidents brought about by scrofula during its secondary stage were vividly portrayed in colorful lithographs from that time period. These illustrations served as both educational tools and reminders of the devastating effects caused by this disease. Even trade cards advertising Ayerss Sarsaparilla sought to offer solace for those afflicted with scrofula. Promising relief through their medicinal concoctions, they aimed to bring hope and respite from this relentless ailment. Botanical records reveal Scrophularia Ehrharti or Water-Betony as a prominent herb used in treating scrofula during the 19th century. Its inclusion serves as a testament to humanity's tireless pursuit of remedies against this formidable foe. Notably, Charles II himself engaged in touching patients affected by the Kings Evil around 1680 - an act captured beautifully by Frederick-Hendrik van den Hove's artistic rendition. The belief persisted that only royal intervention could banish this malady from one's body.