EXTRACT XXIX. 



ON THE CUTANEOUS CONDITION KNOWN AS " GLOSSY 



SKIN." 



THIS condition of skin is observable in and constitutes 

 a very conspicuous feature of many diseased conditions 

 of that structure, but, at the same time, and in the same 

 individual sometimes, it may be observed as a histologico- 

 physiological feature due to and ' ' marking time " in the 

 process of evolution, or rather involution, of the structural 

 changes or natural decadence, as displayed in the surface 

 covering of the gradually ageing body. 



In hemiplegia, paraplegia, and general sensory paralysis, 

 as well as in cases of extreme senile decay, this condition 

 of skin is seen gradually to develop itself until the glossi- 

 ness completely overtakes and obliterates the ordinary or 

 normal features and markings of the cutaneous surface 

 textures and appendages. 



It is dependent strictly and eminently on a retrograde 

 and atrophic nutritional movement, having for its causes, 

 amongst others, a failure of the cutaneous nervine plasma, 

 due to scanty, or non-, production on the part of the 

 neuronal secretory mechanism, and to nervine non-circu- 

 latory ability to transmit to the peripheral nervature the 

 necessary nutritive material if, and when, it has been pro- 

 duced, or to the non-efficient supply of the requisite 

 neuroglial elements by the blood or haemal circulation to 

 the central nerve plasma-producing machinery. The plas- 

 mic failure responsible for the genesis of pathological 

 glossiness of skin is but an accentuation of the physio- 

 logical glossiness of skin of extreme age, and represents in 



