PORES OP THE SKIN 409 



erate into it. By the stimulus of a cordial, the secretions may 

 be suddenly roused, and among them, this unctuous secretion from 

 the pores of the skin, so necessary to apparent condition ; but the 

 effect soon passes over, and a repetition of the stimulus is neces- 

 sary — the habit is soon formed — the dose must be gradually in- 

 creased, and in the mean time the animal is kept in a state of 

 dangerous excitement, by which the powers of nature must be 

 eventually impaired. 



Friction may be employed with advantage in the removal of hide- 

 bound. It has repeatedly been shown that this is one of the most 

 efficacious instruments we can use, to call into exercise the sus- 

 pended energies either of the absorbent or seereting vessels. 

 "Warmth may likewise be had recourse to — ^not warmth of stable, 

 which has been shown to be so injurious, but warmth arising 

 from exercise, and the salutary, although inexplicable, influenc*. 

 of clipping and singeing. 



PORES OF THE SKIN. 



Besides the openings already mentioned, through which pro- 

 ceeds the unctuous fluid that supplies and softens the skin, there 

 are others more numerous, by means of wliich a vast quantity of 

 aqueous fluid escapes, and perspiration is carried on. 



This process of perspiration is not, .however, so far under the 

 control of medicine as in the human being.* 



We are not aware of any drugs that will certainly produce it. 

 Warm clothing seems occasionally to effect it, but this is more 

 in appearance than reality. The insensible perspiration cannot 

 escape through the mass of clothing, and assumes a visible form. 

 There are, however, a few medicines, as antimony and sulphur, 

 that have an evident and very considerable -effect on the skin, in 

 opening its pores and exciting its vessels to action. 



Of the existence of absorbent vessels on the skin, or those 

 which take up some fluid or substance, and convey it into the 

 circulation, we have satisfactory proof. A horse is even more 

 easily salivated than the human being. Salivation has been pro- 

 duced by rubbing a splint with mercurial ointment, previous to 

 blistering ; and a very few drachms rubbed on the inside of the 

 thighs, will probably produce a greater effect than the practitioner 

 desires. 



* Note by Mr. Spooner. — Although the same medicines will not pro- 

 duce this effect, yet those that come under the designation of diffusible 

 stimulants, will Thus, a large dose of spirit of nitrous ether will often pro- 

 duce perspiration; and so, likewise, will the spirit of hartshorn, and even 

 vinegar. 



R 



