314 | IMPORTANCE OF CUTANEOUS EXHALATION. 
moulds were dried, while the floor was red-hot, and a ther- 
mometer in the air stood at 350°; and Chabert, the “ Fire- 
king,” was in the habit of entering an oven whose temperature 
was from 400° to 600°. It is possible that these feats might 
be easily matched by many workmen, who are habitually 
exposed to high temperatures ; such as those employed in 
iron-foundries, glass-houses, and gas-works. 
373. That the power of sustaining a high temperature 
mainly depends upon the dryness of the atmosphere, is evident 
from what has just been stated ; since, if the perspiration that 
is poured-forth upon the skin is not carried-off with sufficient 
rapidity, on account of the previous humidity of the air, the 
temperature of the body will not be sufficiently kept down. 
It has been found, from a considerable number of experiments, 
that when warm-blooded animals are placed in a hot atmos- 
phere saturated with moisture, the temperature of their bodies 
is gradually raised 12° or 13° above the natural standard ; and - 
that the consequence is then inevitably fatal. 
374. The amount of fluid exhaled from the skin and lungs 
(§ 343) in twenty-four hours, probably averages about three 
or four pounds. The largest quantity ever noticed, except 
under extraordinary circumstances, was 5 Ibs. ; and the smallest, 
12 lbs. It contains a small quantity of solid animal matter, 
besides that of the other secretions of the skin which are 
mingled with it ; and there is good reason to think that this — 
excretion is of much importance, in carrying off certain sub- 
stances which would be injurious if allowed to remain in the 
blood. That which is called the Hydrophatic system, proceeds 
upon the plan of increasing the cutaneous exhalation to a 
very large amount; and there seems much evidence, that 
certain deleterious matters, the presence of which in the blood 
gives rise to Gout, Rheumatism, &c., are drawn off from it” 
more speedily and certainly in this way, than in any other. 
375. Besides the perspiratory glands, the skin contains — 
others, which have special functions to perform. Thus in 
most parts which are liable to rub against each other, we find 
a considerable number of sebaceous follicles (fig. 8, aa), which | 
secrete a fatty substance that keeps the skin soft and smooth, 
Besides these, the skin contains other follicles in particular | 
parts, for secreting peculiar substances ; as, for instance, those | 
which form the cerumen, a bitter waxy substance that is 
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