Oil-glands
There are also in the skin a number of little Glands. One set of these are called “oil-glands;” for their office is to furnish an oily, or waxy, substance, which serves to keep the skin soft and pliable, and defends it against too much moisture, or too great dryness of the atmosphere. They are usually, as shown in the accompanying sketch, (fig. 83, g, g) connected with the hairs, lying beside them; and their ducts—the little tubes that carry off the oily matter formed in them—open either into the hair follicles, or penetrate the cuticle at some other part. They are not found on the palms of the hand or the soles of the feet, because those parts are, in great measure, sheltered from atmospheric influences, and are well moistened with perspiration. When the dry easterly winds prevail one is disposed to wish that these glands were more numerous on the back of the hands; for a more liberal supply of their secretion would, probably, prevent the disagreeable chapping to which we are subject at those times. As a substitute we resort to some unctuous matter, such as glycerine, which if frequently applied in small quantities performs, to some extent, the part of the natural secretion in keeping the cuticle soft and supple, and so preventing its cracking.
The secretion of these glands has an odour, the purpose of which, in man, is not very obvious. It is faintest in the highest and most civilized nations. In none is it very agreeable; and persons are fain to conceal it by substituting some other odour, as that of lavender or eau-de-cologne. Unfortunately the choice is not always so refined; and one is, sometimes, disposed to think that the natural odour must be very bad, if the substitute be preferable. The odour varies at different parts of the body; it varies also in different persons, sufficiently to enable the acute nose of the dog to track one particular man among a thousand.