THE SKIN. 411 



CHAPTER XL 



OF THE SKIN. 



The skin is composed of three dissimilar lamina, which are denominated the 

 Cutis Vera, the Rete Mucosum, and the Cuticula. 



Of the Cutis Vera. 



THE innermost of the above-mentioned lamina is much more 

 substantial than the others, and therefore is called Cutis Vera. 



It is an elastic, dense, and strong membrane ; which contains 

 in its texture a large proportion of fibres that appear to be 

 tendinous, and are woven together in an intricate manner.* 



Blended with these fibres is an immense number of vessels 

 which enter into the texture of the skin ; these vessels do not 

 generally convey red blood, and therefore they are not very 

 visible ; yet they may be readily brought into view, by the 

 application of rubefacients during life ; and by fine injections, in 

 the dead subject. Their existence is also demonstrated in the 

 vigorous infant, at birth, by the universal redness of the skin, 

 which is observable at that time. 



Nerves are also distributed to every part of the skin. They 

 can be traced to it very easily ; and as there is no part of the 

 skin into which the finest needle can be pushed without pain, 

 it is certain that their distribution must extend to every part. 



It is highly probable that the processes of absorption and 

 exhalation are effected by small vessels which originate or 

 terminate on the surface of the skin, and of course form a part 

 of its texture. 



* These fibres hold a middle station between ligamentous and common cel- 

 lular tissue, and are supposed to consist of the latter in a very compacted state. 

 The innermost layer of fibres is of a reddish hue, and belongs to the class of 

 contractile tissues. It is to the presence of this red fibro-cellular tissue, that the 

 shrinking and wrinkling of the skin, called goose flesh (cutis anservia) is due. 

 The meshes, which the fibres of the skin leave when woven together, allow of 

 the introduction of vessels and nerves to the papillae on the outer surfaces of 

 the cutis vera. p. 



