LYMPHATIC SYSTEM OF SKIN AND MUCOUS MEMBRANES, 395 
tion above referred to, it cannot be denied that the absorp- 
tion had taken place during life. 
The anatomical connection of the lymphatics of the con- 
nective tissue with the interstitial substance between the 
epithelial cells of the root-sheath is in perfect agreement 
with what is now well established for the mucous mem- 
branes, glands, serous membranes, &c. And I would again 
refer in this respect to the researches of Arnold, Thoma, 
myself, Kiittner, Sikorsky, Watney, and others. 
Just as I have shown it for the epithelium lining the 
bronchi and alveoli of the lung, and for the endothelium 
covering the serous membranes, so also in the case of the 
stratified epithelium forming the outer root-sheath of the 
hair we find in the interstitial cement substance branched, 
nucleated connective-tissue cells anastomosing with the 
connective-tissue cells of the surrounding hair-sac. 
That this connection of the lymphatics of the hair-sae with 
the space between the hair and the inner root-sheath is of 
the utmost physiological and pathological interest is obvious. 
There can be no doubt that, in the absorption of fluid and 
formed matter from the outer skin, the lymphatics of the 
hair-follicles play a conspicuous part, aud the practical ex- 
perience of the efficiency of medicaments, especially those 
suspended in fatty matter rubbed into the skin, by which 
they are well pushed into the depth of the hair-follicles, 
receives hereby its theoretical explanation. 
R. Fleischer, Erlangen, 1877, and quite recently in 
‘Virchow’s Archiv,’ vol. 79, p. 458, still persists in ques- 
tioning the positive results obtained by Lassar (‘ Virchow’s 
Archiv, vol. 67, p. 1), as to the passage of oily matters 
rubbed into the intact skin of a rabbit, through the absorb- 
ents into the internal organs, for he (viz, Fleischer) main- 
tains that such passage does not take place except through 
the injured skin. 
My results above described clearly show that the ana- 
tomical facts are in favour of Lassar’s assertions. 
27. Whether a similar intimate connection exists between 
the lymphatics around the sweat gland (both duct and coiled 
tube) and the interstitial cement substance of its epithelium 
and the inner cavity of the tube, is very probable, but I have 
not been fortunate in showing this. Inunctions with pig- 
ment suspended in fatty matter would, I have little doubt, 
yield positive results. 
28. As regards the lymphatics around the sebaceous 
glands and the muscle of the hair, I am able to record posi- 
tive results, against the negative ones of Teichmann and 
VOL, XXI,—NEW SER. DD 
