PHENOMENA OF "SKIN MARKING" 209 



phenomena, due to the undeveloped and the dismantled 

 condition of the systemic nervature, respectively, is in 

 strict accordance with the functional necessities and 

 nervine requirements, at these periods of life, while in 

 that period of life involving the incessantly, the acutely, 

 and the intelligently, controlled exercise, of the voluntary, 

 or systemic, nervature, with its connected non-nervous 

 structures, or tissue elements, strictly accordant skin 

 changes likewise ensue. As an example of the regular 

 and rhythmic sequence of developmental changes, in one 

 feature of cutaneous surface appearance, we would call 

 attention to the " ridge and furrow " markings (Fig. 70), 



FIG. 70. MAGNIFIED VIEW OF FOUR OF THE RIDGES OF THE EPIDERMIS, 

 WITH SHORT FURROWS OR NOTCHES ACROSS THEM : ALSO THE 

 OPENINGS OF THE SUDORIFEROUS DUCTS. (After Breschet. ) 



of the palmar and plantar surfaces of the terminal 

 phalanges, as well as general palmar and plantar surfaces 

 of the hands and feet. These markings, especially of the 

 fingers and toes have, for a long time, attracted the 

 attention of both the lay and the expert observer, and, to 

 some extent, advantage has been taken of the information 

 so gained for purposes of medico-legal and other 

 enquiries ; such being the case it, therefore, behoves 

 us to eliminate sources of error from our reading of 

 them, and to place, if possible, on a more exact basis, 

 the information which is sought from them. Thus, 

 according to our observations, it will be found that 

 the original, or ground, plan, is adhered to, from 

 histological necessity, throughout the greater part, but 



