118 OF PERSPIRATION. 



SECT. XL 



OF PERSPIRATION. 



174. THE functions of the skin, which affords a cover- 

 ing to the body, are so extremely various that they 

 cannot all be easily described with advantage in one 

 chapter, but each will be considered far more conve- 

 niently under that class of actions to which it belongs. 



For, in the first place, the skin is the organ of touch, 

 and will be examined in this view, under the head of 

 animal functions. 



It is an organ of inhalation, and in this point of view 

 belongs to the absorbent system, to be spoken of among 

 the natural functions. 



It is likewise the organ of perspiration, and on this 

 account related in many ways to the function of respi- 

 ration, and may, w r e think, very properly follow it in 

 this place, 



175. The skin consists of three membranes The co- 

 rium, internal ; the cuticle, external ; and the reticulwn, 

 intermediate. 



176. The cuticle or epidermis * forms the external 

 covering of the body, is separable into lamellae, f and 

 exposed to the atmosphere, the contact of which can 

 be borne by scarcely any other part, if you except the 



* Al. Monro (Primus), Oratio de Cuticula Humana. Opera. English edition, 

 Eduib. 1781. 4 to. p. 54. sq. 



-f- Among others, consult J. Mitchell, F kilos. Trans. Vol. xliii. p. 111. 



