Peculiarity of constitution is often manifested by no evident sign, and the modifications of actions induced are often marked by no perceptible diseased phenomena, which may be considered as belonging exclusively to that constitution. But, in the scrophulous constitution, there are, in almost every instance, perceptible modifications of the formative action[87], producing a peculiar appearance of the eye, countenance, &c. as has already been mentioned; and although some diseased actions, which receive modifications from this peculiarity of constitution, may not be attended with obvious alterations, yet others, especially such as are attended with an inflammatory condition, are distinctly changed. It is these changes which constitute what in common language has been called scrophula, which is merely a peculiarity of a common action (namely, inflammation), which is dependent, not upon any particular nature of the agent or exciting cause, but upon the peculiarity of constitution, which is susceptible, by these agents, of such an action. [87] The morbid condition of the formative action is very frequently manifested in the bones, which are less perfect, that is to say, softer, containing less calcareous earth, and later of being formed. Thus, the teeth are longer of appearing; the bones of the head are soft and yielding, and hence the head is large; the long bones bend and lose their shape, or their extremities swell, and, from being more vascular than their nature is fitted for, inflammation is very apt to be induced. The yielding and increasing of the bones of the cranium is likewise attended with a similar effect, for the brain becomes too large in proportion to the rest of the body, and is very apt to inflame, and have effusions formed into it. At other times, the diseased state of the formative action appears most distinctly at the surface, the skin being rough, and very apt to desquamate.