Ichthyol and resorcin as representatives of the group of reducing remedies / by P.G. Unna.

  • Unna, Paul Gerson, 1850-1929.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Ichthyol and resorcin as representatives of the group of reducing remedies / by P.G. Unna. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    into an upper, more or less dark, dead portion, which corre- sponds to the original loose horny layer which was penetrated by the remedy, and a lower, light-colored portion, which has, meanwhile, been formed anew, from the prickle layer, under the influence of the remedy. The separation between both layers is, for the most part, easily effected, and without trouble we draw off the old horny layer, perfectly whole and of the thickness of a sheet of paper. These phenomena, which can be defined as an artificial cornification, are very easily explained by my theory of reduction. I believe that I have proved * that the immediate effect of the withdrawal of oxygen upon the epithelium of the skin consists in the cornification of the same; vice versa, with each cornification process, the possibility of a reduction must be granted, and in no other case can it be granted. I will call the final effect of the more intense process of cornification, under the influence of reducing substances, the “ exfoliation of the horny layer.” Intimately connected with the above-mentioned phenomena stands another which hitherto has not been sufficiently con- nected with the processes taking place upon the horny layer, —viz., pustulation. The appearance of pustules, and espe- cially of folliculitis upon the skin, we have been wont hith- erto incorrectly to associate exclusively with a perifollicular formation of pus. This is undoubtedly necessary, and just as necessary to the phenomena of pustulation is an abnormal closure of the mouths of the follicles by the hqrny layer. Henceforth we may cease to give credence to the old fable of the artificial closure of the follicles with extraneous dirt and the residuum of ointments, etc. If the skin does not pos- sess the means of bringing its excretions upon the surface, despite all external dirt, it would be in a condition of perma- nent closure with all persons whose entire body is not daily washed with soap. That which closes the follicles, and thus leads to retention of secretion and pus, lies in the skin itself and in the horny layer. Every condition which tends to a firmer union of the cornified cells (a reducing agent in weak doses acting specially in this way) closes the follicles, and * S. A. “ fiber Haul u. (Jber Hornung,” Berl. Klin. Wochemchr., i8S8, No. 35.