To have a child suffering from scrofula must be very distressing.  In 1702, Samuel Johnson's parents brought their son from Staffordshire to be touched by Queen Anne in the hopes of curing him.  'Touching for the King's Evil' was a tradition with its roots in the Middle Ages, when monarchs were deemed to be the chosen representative of God.  Their touch was supposed magical and many children and adults were presented to Kings and Queens to be 'cured'.  They came away with a 'touchpiece', a little metal token of the event (Samuel Johnson kept his about his person for the rest of his life).  

The advertisement in the gallery, from the London Gazette of the 20th of April 1668, gives notice that Charles IInd will finish touching for the summer at the date printed.  Although this might indicate Charles didn't want this duty to interfere with his summer plans (or be in a crowded room with the afflicted), it is estimated he 'touched' over 90,000 people for the Evil during his reign.  He was well aware of the power of the ceremony, and how it was valued by the people who took part.  Not everyone was convinced by the tradition though, and William IIIrd refused to 'touch', with one exception, when a man begged him.  William laid his hand on the man's head saying, 'God give you better health and more sense.'

Queen Anne was by far the busiest monarch as far as touching was concerned, and she reinstated it as a ceremony immediately.  Most monarchs laid their hand on the head of the afflicted and wished them better health (this touching of the forehead is all I can find in the early prints).  Queen Anne apparently laid her bare hands on the sores themselves, making her fairly brave if you ask me.  George Ist stopped the ceremony immediately, condemning it as superstitious and touching for the King's Evil ended in Britain (it continued in France until 1825).