THE MICROSCOPE. 19 



"MUxihil ^hstxutts. 



IS MERCURY ABSORBED FROM THE SKIN ? 



IT IS stated in Foster's physiology that the balance of conflicting 

 evidence is in favor of the view that soluble non-volatile sub- 

 stances, are not absorbed, and that volatile substances, as iodine, 

 are not absorbed by the skin, but by the mucous membrane of the 

 respiratory organs. 



It is said that when salivation occurs from using mercurial oint- 

 ments, it is because the particles of mercury are rubbed in the skin 

 and thus reach the lymphatics. Prof. Fiirbinger has been making 

 some experiments on this subject which are given in full in Virchow's 

 Archin, 82. iii, p. 491. The method employed, briefly stated, was 

 to thoroughly rub the mercurial ointment on the uninjured skin, 

 then wash the same and afterwards remove small pieces and harden 

 them in alcohol. His experiments were conducted on various 

 animals, including man. A careful microscopic examination of the 

 skin was then made and particles of the mercury sought for. 

 Globules were found all through the sebaceous glands and hair 

 follicles and some had entered the ducts of the sweat glands. He 

 found that the vapor of mercury will not penetrate the skin at all, 

 being deposited simply on the surface. In all cases no mercury 

 globules were seen in the skin tissue itself; they were closely con- 

 fined to the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. If, however, the 

 skin was abraded and then an ointment of mercury applied, the 

 globules would enter the tissue of the skin and also into the ruptured 

 blood-vessels. The globules thus deposited in the glands of the 

 skin lost their metallic lustre after a few days, becoming oxidized, 

 after which they were absorbed. Thus accounting for the persistent 

 effect of mercurial inunctions. 



TYPHOID FEVER. 



IN a recent discussion on the treatment of this disease at the 

 Metropolitan County's branch of the British Medical Associa- 

 tion, Dr. Bristowe expressed his grave doubts as to the efficacy of 



