CUTICLE. 337 



The structure of this body is entirely peculiar; there is no 

 evidence whatever of the existence of vessels in it: on the con- 

 trary, in inflammations, when the skin becomes of the deepest 

 tinge of red, the epidermis never has its colour changed in the 

 smallest degree; the impression made on it is only manifested 

 by its dropping off, while another layer is preparing to take its 

 place. 



Dr. W. Hunter, though he disbelieved in the possibility of 

 injecting the cuticle, and did not admit the evidence of the 

 preparations of his time having that reputation ; yet thought the 

 communicating or perspiratory vessels might be exhibited in a 

 different manner, that is, by macerating for a short time a piece 

 of the sole of the foot : afterwards, in separating the cuticle 

 from the cutis vera, as the two membranes parted, these vessels 

 would be found in the angle of separation passing from one to 

 the other like cob-web filaments.* 



There can be no doubt of the accuracy of this statement, 

 for it is easily verified by any one who will take the trouble 

 to perform the experiment; yet it is more than probable that 

 Dr. Hunter was deceived in the nature of these filaments, and 

 that as M. Beclard has suggested, they were merely the threads 

 formed out of the rete mucosum, which was rendered a viscous 

 fluid by the commencement of putrefaction; and, therefore, 

 when parted, would put on the same filamentous appearance, 

 that half dissolved glue does in a similar situation. Some of 

 the aforesaid filaments also are supposed by Bichat and Chaus- 

 sier to be absorbents; but this opinion of course sinks with the 

 objections brought against Dr. Hunter. 



Neither is there any evidence of the existence of nerves or 

 of the cellular membrane in this tissue; for it is in all states 

 entirely devoid of sensibility, and never puts forth granulations. 

 The excrescences which belong to it, as corns and indurations, 

 are, like it, laminated, owing to their thickness, and have no 

 interior circulation; and though sometimes painful, are so only 

 by their pressing upon the subjacent nerves of the skin. It is 

 also destitute of filaments. 



The cuticle is penetrated by hairs, and by the orifices of the 

 sebaceous follicles and glands; and according to Bichat, also, 



* Mcd. Obs. and Inquiries, vol. ii. p. 53, London, 1762. 

 VOL. I. 29 



