PORES OF THE SKIN. 293 



PORES OF THE SKIN. 



The skin exhibits an infinity of pores over its entire 

 surface, and probably t)ie whole of these transmit hairs. 

 There are also numerous others, smaller and less perceptible, 

 which are called perspiratory pores, from their emitting an 

 imperceptible vapour, denominated the insensible perspira- 

 tion, the sensible perspiration being what is ordinarily called 

 sweat. The situation of these pores is rendered manifest 

 by the condensation and collection of this exhalation. But 

 these pores can be rendered visible by maceration, or putre- 

 faction in the dead animal. Besides these there is another 

 set of pores, of larger dimensions, more discernible than 

 others in some places, which are the mouths of follicles. 

 These are of large size in the nose, for the secretion of 

 mucus ; and the tubes of the ears have many of them for 

 the passage of the waxy matter ; and all the portions of the 

 skin which are liable to friction are numerously provided 

 with them, which preserves it in a soft and pliable condition, 

 and produces that greasiness of feel which is constantly kept 

 up in the skin. 



This process of perspiration in the horse cannot be so 

 controlled by the use of medicine as in the human being. 

 The visible perspiration can only be increased in a limited 

 degree in the horse, although we can in some measure lessen 

 profuse perspirations which accompany the moult, disease 

 or want of condition. 



The visible perspiration, as far as we know, cannot be 

 produced by any kind of medicine. Antimony and sulphur, 

 however, have considerable efiect in opening the pores, and 

 and in a certain degree exciting the vessels to action. 



There can be little doubt but the skin is furnished with 

 absorbent vessels, which take in any substance in a fluid 



