Diseases of the skin : a manual for practitioners and students / by W. Allan Jamieson.

  • William Allan Jamieson
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Diseases of the skin : a manual for practitioners and students / by W. Allan Jamieson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    29/604 page 9
    SWEAT OR COIL GLANDS. The sweat glands consist partly of a coiled-up tube lined with secreting cells, and placed deep down in the subcutaneous areolar tissue, among the fat cells ; partly of a long duct also lined with cells, leading upwards from the coil, and pursuing a wavy though nearly vertical course; partly of a tunnel without any proper walls, piercing the epidermis, and where the horny layer is thick, running through it spirally. The lumen of the duct and tube is generally distinct. The openings of the sweat glands, which are set with considerable regularity, can be seen, for example, on the points of the fingers by aid of a magnifying glass, between the ridges which occur there. These are popu- larly known as the pores of the body, yet it does not appear that the mere number of the sweat glands in any particular locality absolutely regulates the amount of sweat poured forth from that part. Thus, though the face, neck, and throat are less liberally supplied with sudoriferous glands, they sweat more readily and freely than do the palms of the hands, which are much more fully provided, do, except under morbid con- ditions. The total number of the sweat glands has been estimated at 2,300,000. They are closely surrounded by a plexus of vessels. Sweat is a compound fluid, consisting largely of water with about 2 per cent, of solid matter, chiefly common salt, and some fatty matter. It is being continually poured out, but, thoxigh the openings in the surface are free, no sweat can, when the body is at rest and not too warm, be seen to issue from them. This is due to the spiral arrangement of the outer part of the duct, by means of which the perspiration soaks the very exterior of the horny layer where the cells are becoming loosened, and keeps the skin pliant and moist. It is imperceptibly exhaled from the surface, constituting what is known as the insensible perspiration. The total amount of watery fluid which thus escapes by the skin has been calculated at two pounds or pints daily. This is largely increased by exercise, heat, &c, and bears in general a direct relation to the amount given off by the kidneys and lungs.
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