THE SKIN. 77 



an artificial grease may be applied with benefit to the skin, 

 and for this purpose large quantities of smearing stuffs are 

 annually sold, such as Gallipoli oil, tainted butter, tar and 

 butter, &c. 



In a sound condition the skin does not absorb. We can 

 introduce medicines and poisons rapidly into the skin by 

 first removing the cuticle by means of a blister, and this has 

 been termed the endermic application of medicines. Greasy 

 preparations may be rubbed into the skin so as to overcome 

 the opposing influence of the compact layers of cuticular cells, 

 and thus get to the vascular skin, and be absorbed. We 

 notice beneficial results to follow the application of iodine 

 over swellings, and this effect could only occur by absorption 

 of the principle into the system. 



It has been noticed at different times by physiologists, 

 that substances in solution in water were not readily intro- 

 duced into the system by cutaneous absorption, and yet 

 medicinal baths have been recommended by physicians with 

 great faith as to the introduction of their active principle 

 into 'the blood of those bathing in them. Colin mentions, in 

 his work on the " Physiology of the Domestic Animals," that 

 the skin absorbs but feebly and slowly when its tissue is 

 intact, and its epidermic covering is not destroyed. This 

 structure may remain for long in contact with poisonous 

 substances which have no chemical action upon it. Arse- 

 nious acid of baths in which sheep are immersed for whole 

 hours never induces phenomena of poisoning. 



I had occasion to perform a number of experiments on 

 cutaneous absorption in 1858, with a view to determine if a 

 dipping-mixture which killed 850 sheep out of a flock of 

 869 could produce such effects without being swallowed by 

 the animals, owing to the negligence of those engaged in the 

 dipping. The conclusion I arrived at, and in which I am 



