EXTRACT XX. 



ON THE PHENOMENA OF "SKIN MARKING" AND SKIN 

 EXFOLIATION, EPIDERMIC " SHEDDING," OR SOLID 

 EXCRETION. 



IT goes without saying that the manner and sequence of 

 dermal and epidermal change, in regard, both to rate of 

 growth of the skin elements, the length of time character- 

 ising the life of these elements, and the tardiness, or rapidity, 

 of their progressive changes and subsequent shedding, 

 must exercise a determining influence on our estimate of 

 the physiological and pathological conditions of the skin, 

 at all times, and must, in our opinion, be universally 

 allowed for, and, therefore, that a careful investigation of 

 the environment and history of pathologically developed 

 skin features will generally reveal the sources of such 

 phenomena, with the means of their obviation, and removal; 

 therefore, it behoves all engaged in dealing with such 

 matters to differentiate between the textural elements of 

 the skin tissue involved. Thus, its various vascular ele- 

 ments particularly, as well as its so-called solid histological 

 elements, must be individually and collectively examined 

 in each case, so that the order and sequence of the patho- 

 logical changes may be correctly appraised, in preparation 

 for the most rational prescription of the requisite treatment 

 for their removal being indicated (by the series of patho- 

 logical phenomena characterising the condition) on the 

 most scientifically indicated principles. 



If the pathological condition be found to be due to 

 blood circulatory causes, then it will follow, as a histo- 

 logical corollary, or necessity, that the treatment should be 



