390 MORBID ANATOMY OF THE SKIN. 



consisting of a spheroidal aggregate of cells; an epidermic 

 globe is thus produced, which differs from the ^^ pearly nodule" 

 of epithelioma only by its greater size. Should the globe attain 

 the dimensions of a millet-seed, it communicates a yellowish- 

 white tint to the overlying epidermis, and receives the name of 

 Milium oc Geutum. 



§ 331. A third variety is the Melicebis, so called from the 

 honey-like character of the follicular contents ; this is due to a 

 more abundant admixture of oily matter from the sebaceous 

 glands with the epidermic products. If the nodule project 

 markedly above the sm-face, if the distended follicle protrude 

 more and more above the level of the surrounding skin, and if 

 the connective tissue of the papillaiy body take part in the 

 hyperplastic process, the MoLLUSCUM contagiosum results. 

 This is a wart-like prominence as big as a pea, differing from 

 other soft warts Avhich resemble it, only in having its centre 

 occupied by a dilated hair-sac which secretes fatty and epidermic 

 products in abundance. The hypothesis of an antecedent occlu- 

 sion of the hair-follicle is least of all — be it said in passing — 

 applicable to molluscum contagiosum. In the larger molluscous 

 tumours, the follicular orifice is often found gaping to such an 

 extent that the contained matters ma}' be squeezed out with the 

 utmost ease. It has been asserted that these matters are 

 capable of transferring the disease to the skin of a healthy 

 person. The assertion rests on a very doubtful substratum of 

 evidence ; it has given rise however to the questionable epithet 

 '^ contagiosum." 



§ 332. The Acrochordon is a small cutaneous polypus, 

 often with a very long pedicle. It looks as if a small, crooked, 

 brown wart were hanging from the skin of the neck or trunk. 

 On examining the head of this little tumour, we find in its 

 interior one or two hair-follicles much distended with sebum, 

 &c. We may reasonably assume that this retention gave rise 

 to a warty projection, which subsequently became polypoid. 

 The length of the pedicle, which is often very striking, is usually 

 due to accidental causes — particulai'ly to a bad habit of playing 

 with and pulling at such tumours. 



§ 333. We come finally to the Atheromatous cyst, the 

 highest degree to which the simple retention of secreted matters 

 in a hair-sac is capable of attaining. The follicle is distended 



