American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1858-12-23

The skIa, and d. FunelIons.


The skin, or i0Irgumsnt which. covers
the euhre surface Of the body. is. proper.
II, divided into three layers. (Some-anAt.
omisIs, make two. The CUTS vera, or
true skin. The rete mucosum, OF middle
layer; and The epiderma, or scarf skin,
commonly called the cutiels. A very
minute anatomical description OF these
layers Of the skin. is not important to our
present purpose.
All the internal cavities Of the body,
which open externally, are lined with a
thin smooth membrane. which secretes a
Shiny, vicid fluid. called mucuous. The
lining ofthese cavities is. therefore. called
mueuous membrane. The skin, of which
we are treating, MAY be regarded as con-
Iihuous with this internal membrane, but
unlike it in its structure and functions.
Besides being tie natural covering. and
protector of the muscles and blood vessels
DC, over which it is reflected, it is the or
gan Of some important physiological func-
tons. The Cuticlo, or outside Of the skin,
II viewed with powerful microscope, will
be found to consist Of exceedingly fine
scales resemb ling those Of fish
Under these, open the mouths Of countless
millions ofsmall vessels, through which
the perspiration flows. This function OF
the skim is sometimes called secretion,
but more properly an exhahtion. The
exbaation is. watery fluid taken from
the mass ofthe blood sand contains certain
salts and other matter, not Git to be retain.
ed in the body; There is also fatty and
resinous matter thrown upon the surface.
by the agency Of appropriate glands and
vessels. This matter, thus thrown upon
the surface, is denominated excrementi-
tious, because. having served its purpose
in the body, could not be retained longer
in it, without producing disease. When.
ever this function OF the skiE is suspended,
as IN feyers, the whole system is out Of
order, and cannot return to health, until
the discharge from the skin is restored.-
This matter, which should escape By the
exhslents, being retained in the blood, and
thrown into the other secreilons, as the
bile, urine &e, throws the whole machine.
ry out Of balance, and if continued would
destroy life.
Although we are not conscious of it,
many pounds of this outaneous exhalalion
escape from our bodies every twenty four
hours, il being evaporated as fast as it is
thrown upon the surface. 1t is hence,
called, lnsepsible perspiration. But when,
from too much dampness in the surroun-
ding, atmosphere ii is not evsporated as
fast as it accumulates; or in hot weather,
when it is exhaled more rapidly than Or
dinarily, itremains in drops on the skin,
we call it sweat, or perspiration The
difference between the skin Of healthy
person where the insensible perspiration is
going on, and one where it is suspended,
is perceived, when you place your hand
on a healthy skin, and then on that Of a
fevered patient.
Sudden suspension of the usensible per
spiration, from rapid charges in the lem.
perature Of the atmosphere, produce colds,
inhueDzas, peurisies tEe. &c. The i'm
porlance OF keeping the skin clean, ofchan.
ging the quantity, and quality Of the co-
thing, with the changing temperature, are
subjects that suggest themselves to al.
Our next subject will be, the lungs
their functions, and atmospheric air.
ss L II.