422 Chemical Analysis of some [Junn, 
keep the surface always moist and smooth. It is this matter which 
in summer frequently makes its appearance in considerable quantity 
in the sweat as a liquid oil. In some diseases, in which the nails, 
skin, &c. become brittle, this fatty matter seems to be wanting, or 
+o be diminished in quantity. 
Il. Epidermis from the Arm of a Woman who was afflicted with 
Herpes. 
This woman had formerly been afflicted with different diseases, 
and was probably labouring under phthisis. More lately she had a 
scaly eruption, possessing the characters of herpes. It occasioned 
the whole epidermis to become loose, and at last it appeared dead. 
When the woman expired, fatty masses were found in different 
plese under this covering, probably proceeding from the muscles 
elow. 
The dried leprous epidermis had a light, but dirty, yellowish-. 
green colour; but during the life of the woman it had been greyish- 
green. It appeared to be composed of very fine scales laid upon 
each other, and had a resemblance to shagreen. It was not scurty, 
but supple, like the healthy epidermis, though unequally thick. 
Being treated exactly as in the preceding analysis, 1 obtained 
Indurated albumen.......... nd eee aula 92 to 93 
Mucus, becoming insoluble by evapora- 
tion, and 6 to 7 
Gelatinous mucus, precipitated by _nut- 
galls 
Lactic acid, and the above-stated salts 1 
_ (no manganese) 
Soft fat, which remained dissolved in 
diluted alcohol, but separated rom | Sto l 
concentrated alcohol by cooling 
Remarks. 
This epidermis did not fuse, like the preceding, which I had 
collected by degrees from the hard parts of the foot, and it gave by 
incineration a white ash which did not exceed 4 per cent. 
When boiled in water it exhibited the same properties as the 
healthy epidermis, excepting that it produced an unusual quantity of 
froth, which appeared to be owing to the mucus. 
It was likewise distinguished from the healthy epidermis by a 
greater proportion of fat, and by the gelatinous mucus which the 
healthy epidermis does not contain, and which seems in general to 
be a mark of much local disease. Probably the small scales lying on 
each other, with which the outer surface was covered, and which 
gave it a rough appearance, consisted of the gelatinous mucus in- 
durated. It no doubt proceeded from the exhaling vessels at the 
same time with the perspiration. This gave the patient a very fetid 
odour. After I had completed my analysiss I learned that M. 
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