Part 74

II. State of this System during Growth.

Suddenly increased activity at birth.—Yet it is not the glandular system which predominates in the first age.—Remarks upon its diseases.—The mucous and lachrymal glands are the most frequently in action in infancy. 244

III. State of this System after Growth.

Period of puberty.—Its influence upon the glands.—Influence of the glands of digestion at the adult age. 247

IV. State of this System in old Age.

Of the change in the texture of the glands from the effect of age.—Many glands still secrete much fluid in old age.—Relation of this phenomenon with nutrition. 249

DERMOID SYSTEM.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

ARTICLE FIRST.

FORMS OF THE DERMOID SYSTEM.

I. External Surface of the Dermoid System.

Various folds of this surface.—Their different nature. 254

II. Internal Surface of the Dermoid System.

Its relations.—Absence of the fleshy pannicle in man.—Consequences. 256

ARTICLE SECOND.

ORGANIZATION OF THE DERMOID SYSTEM.

I. Texture peculiar to the Organization.

Chorion.—Its thickness in the different regions.—Its structure.—Method of seeing it.—Variety of this structure according to the regions.—Small spaces of the chorion.—Fibres.—Their nature.—It approximates that of the fibrous texture.—Yet it differs from it.—The chorion is foreign to the functions of the skin relative to animal and organic life. 258

Of the reticular body.—Idea that has been formed of it.—What it is.—Vascular net-work.—Colouring substance.—Analogy among the diversity of races.—How this diversity should be considered.—Of the cases in which the blood enters the reticular body.—Singular property of the vessels of the face of receiving more than the others.—Cause of this phenomenon.—Triple means of expression of the passions.—Relation between the tendency of the facial capillary system to receive blood and diseases.—Double state of the reticular body.—Phenomena at the instant of death.—Experiments. 266

Papillæ.—Situations.—The cutaneous prominences must not be taken for them.—Experiments to prove the nature of these prominences.—Their varieties.—Forms and nervous structure of the papillæ. 273

Action of different bodies upon the dermoid texture. 276

Action of light.—Men whiten like plants.—Examples. ib.

Action of caloric.—Effects which it produces on the skin during life according to its different degrees.—Effect of cold.—General remarks upon gangrene and antiseptics.—False opinions of authors. 277

Action of the air.—Remarks upon the influence of this fluid upon the evaporation of the transpiration.—It is foreign to this function itself.—Desiccation of the skin by the air.—Its putrefaction. 282

Action of water.—General uses of baths.—Their use is natural.—Maceration of the skin.—Pulpy state.—Stewing of the skin.—Mode of horny hardening.—Vesicles that arise the instant it takes place.—Other phenomena of stewing. 285

Action of the acids, alkalies, and other substances.—Various experiments with reagents.—Remarks. 290

II. Parts common to the Organization of the Dermoid System.

Cellular texture.—Manner in which it is distributed.—Remarks upon biles.—Sometimes it is wholly destroyed.—Appearance which the skin then has.—Remarks upon leucophlegmasia. 291