THE SWEAT. 211 



parts to them the aspect of " pigment cells," which, in 

 fact, Scherer considers them to be. 



There are but three kinds of cells, which, if cells at all, 

 they could be by any possibility, viz. liver, epithelial, or pig- 

 ment cells ; now, they are certainly neither of the first two 

 mentioned, as may be inferred from the dissimilarity of size, 

 appearance, and structure with these ; and they are as surely 

 not " pigment cells," because such structures do not enter 

 into the organisation of the liver. 



It is then conceived, that these cell-like bodies are not 

 true cells, but are to be regarded as masses of concrete 

 mucus enclosing more or less biliary colouring matter ; the 

 great differences observed in their form, size, and general 

 appearance are all opposed to the notion of their being 

 definitely organised cells. 



The meconium of infants very generally contains the cell- 

 like bodies described, together with intestinal mucus, cunei- 

 form epithelium, and occasionally cholesterine in a crystal- 

 line form. 



THE SWEAT. 



The sudoriparous glands, distributed over the whole sur- 

 face of the body, constantly secrete a very considerable 

 quantity of watery fluid : this fluid passes off usually in the 

 form of an insensible vapour ; in some cases, however, as 

 under high external temperature, active exercise, and in 

 certain stages and forms of disease, it collects on the skin in 

 the form of drops, which, in drying up, deposit their solid 

 constituents over the whole extent of the cutaneous surface : 

 it is then more particularly termed sweat. 



Many attempts have been made to determine the amount 

 of fluid passing off by the skin ; the average quantity, accord - 

 ing to Seguin, amounts to about twenty-nine ounces of 

 fluid, the maximum to five pounds, and the minimum to 

 one pound, eleven ounces, and four drachms. 



The amount of solid constituents carried off with the fluid 

 is, comparatively, very small, not exceeding in the twenty- 



s 3 



