PHENOMENA OF "SKIN MARKING" 207 



variola, being determined on similar lines, but differentiated, 

 through specific differences in the habits and character of 

 their respective bacterial causes, each developing its specific 

 features, in accordance with the growth and life-history 

 of its own peculiar bacillus, thus unifying and diversifying 

 the " methods and manners " of this category of morbid 

 entities with a chameleon-like character, as singular, and 

 manifold in its manifestations as the " natural history " 

 of its origin necessitates and determines. The almost 

 infinite variety of skin eruptions, or, at anyrate, that portion 

 of them which owes its origin to microbic organisms, may 

 be grouped with the more definite class of the exanthemata 

 proper, with advantage to scientific accuracy, and with the 

 added likelihood of having their treatment more rationally 

 indicated, than when considered separate morbid entities, 

 devoid of " natural history " affinities, and with altogether 

 specific characters. 



The phenomena of pathological cuticular exfoliation 

 and epidermic shedding thus become a key to unlock 

 many of the secrets " lying hid " on the very surface of 

 humanity, and presenting the most familiar, as well as 

 conspicuous, marring features, which it is daily made 

 aware that it possesses, and which call aloud unceasingly 

 for removal, on the grounds of personal self-respect, as 

 well as asstheticism, and the creation, not survival, of the 

 fittest. 



The phases through which the normal cuticular exfolia- 

 tion passes, in the lives of the longest livers, constitute an 

 unbroken record of developmental evolution of the most 

 exact description, physiologically and histologically speak- 

 ing, which it is possible to observe throughout animated 

 nature, vegetable and animal, but its study has, we think, 

 not been given that exact and exhaustive attention which 

 its importance, as an instrument of utilitarian importance, 

 in medical, medico-legal and purely scientific affairs, entitles 

 it to. We would, therefore, bespeak for it, the considera- 

 tion, in these various aspects, which that importance 

 warrants. Moreover, its study has an attractiveness and 

 repulsiveness, so to speak, in the popular mind, which, if 

 properly directed, may yield results, fruitful of benefits to 

 the world at large and provocative of individual, as well 



