VOL. XIV.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 35 



months after he had been under our care, a gutta serena seized on his right eye, 

 so that he could not see at all on that side; but then the duplicity ceased, and 

 he saw all objects single again as before. 



In the mean time the left eye being still in danger, we further ordered, be- 

 sides the continuance of the former electuary, a fontanel about the meeting of 

 the sagittal and lambdoid sutures, and cupping-glasses to his neck and shoulders, 

 that nothing might be left unattempted that we thought requisite; but it seems 

 these last were omitted, and whilst we were thus solicitous about preserving his 

 other eye, a severe fit seized him, soon after which he died. 



The Description and Use of the Pores in the Skin of the Hands and Feet. By 

 Neh. Grew, M. D. Fellow of the College of Physicians, and F. R. S. N" 159, 

 ■ p. 566. 



The pores in the hands and feet are very remarkable; both in respect of their 

 position and their amplitude. For if any one will but take the pains, with an 

 indifferent glass, to survey the palm of his hand very well washed with a ball ; 

 he may perceive innumerable little ridges^ of equal size and distance, and every 

 where running parallel to each other. And especially on the ends and first 

 joints of the fingers and thumb, on the top of the ball, and near the root of the 

 thumb a little above the wrist. In all which places, they are very regularly dis- 

 posed into spherical triangles, and ellipses; as in fig. 3, pi. 1. On these ridges 

 stand the pores, all in even rows, and of such a magnitude, as to be visible to a 

 good eye, without a glass. But being viewed with one, every pore looks like a 

 little fountain, and the sweat may be seen to stand therein, as clear as rock 

 water, and as often as it is wiped off, to spring up within them again. 



What nature intends in the position of these ridges, is, that they may the 

 better suit with the use and motion of the hand : those of the lower side of 

 every triangle, to the bending in or clutching of the fingers ; and those of the 

 other two sides, and of the ellipses, to the pressure of the hand or fingers ends 

 against any body, requiring them to yield to the right and left. On these 

 ridges the pores are very providently placed, and not in the furrows which lie 

 between them ; that so their structure might be the stronger, and less liable to 

 be depraved by compression; whereby only the furrows are dilated or con- 

 tracted, the ridges constantly maintaining themselves, and so the pores un- 

 altered. For the same reason, the pores are also very large, that they may 

 still be the better preserved, though the skin be ever so much compressed and 

 condensed, by the constant use and labour of the hand. So likewise those of 

 the feet, notwithstanding the compression of the skin by the weight of the 

 whole body. 



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