THE SKIN AS A COMMUNITY OF STRUCTURES The hair bulb, for example, is a system of living cells in which various processes are maintained spatially separated, but the cells depend upon a common environment for their nutrition. Local effects can result from changes in this environment by topical application of certain substances, and examples are available of specific effects upon the cells responsible for pigmentation following such topical treatment. REFERENCES M. Berte, 1954. "Malnutrition in African Mothers, Infants and Young Children," London, H.M.S.O., p. 111. E. J. Bigwood, 1954. Ibid., p. 249. Bigwood and Robazza, 1955. Voeding, 16, p. 143. Billingham and Medawar, 1953. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, B, 237, p. 151. E. Boyland, 1952. Endearour, April, 11, p. 87. H. B. Chase, 1949. Journal of Morphology, 84, p. 57. Chase, Rauch and Smith, 1951. Physiological Zoology, 24, p. 1. S. G. Clyman, 1953. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, December, 4, p. 245. Commoner, Townsend & Pake, 1954. Nature, October 9, 174, p. 689. Denton, Lerner and Fitzpatrick, 1952. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, February, 18, p. 119. M. H. Kulwin, 1953. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, March, 20, p. 237. Lerner and Fitzpatrick, 1953. "Pigment Cell Growth," New York, Academic Press, p. 319. Lerner, Denton & Fitzpatrick, 1953. Journal of Investigatiw Dermatology, April, 20, p. 299. Loewenthal and Montagna, 1955. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 24, p. 429. H. R. Marston, 1946. "Fibrous Proteins," Bradford, Society of Dyers and Colour- ists, p. 207. Nagchaudhuri and Platt, 1954. "Malnutrition in African Mothers, Infants and Young Children," London, H.M.S.O., p. 215. M. Rawles, 1953. "Pigment Cell Growth," New York, Academic Press, p. 1. Rothman, van Scott and Greene, 1953. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, February, 20, p. 111. A. Sayill, 1952. "The Hair and Scalp," London, Edward Arnold, p. 41. Sidi and Bourgeois-Gavardin, 1952. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, May, 18, p. 391. Stirn, Elvehjem and Hart, 1935. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 109, p. 347. A. C. Taylor, 1949. Journal of Experimental Zoology, 110, p. 77. A. Zimmerman, 1953. "Pigment Cell Growth," New York, Academic Press, p. 14 285

SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT ST. ERMIN'$ HOTEL, S.W. 1, ON FRIDAY, MaY 20, 1955 THERE WAS an excellent attendance at the Annual General Meeting, where Dr. Marriott took the chair for the last time during this period of his presidency. The President was able to report an increase in membership of 48 for the year, bringing the total to 222 members and associates. During the lecture session six lectures and a film show had been given, whilst at the golf tournament in the spring the Firmenich Cup had been won by Mr. M. F. Landon with Mr. R. L. Evans, a member of the American Society, as runner- up the foursomes had been won by Messrs. K. Bohemen and N. C. Chandler, with Messrs. S. R. Mansfield and E. Fairbanks Smith as runners-up. The Dinner and Dance was held in January, when Mr. F. V. Wells, whom we all know as "Freddie," was presented with a scroll to commemorate his election as an Honorary Member. Sir Hugh Linstead, O.B.E., F.P.S., M.P., and Sir John Simonsen, D.Sc., F.R.I.C., F.P.S., were the guests of honour on this occasion a full report of this evening was given on pages 140-148 of the current volume of the JOURNAL. An informal Supper and Social Evening had been arranged at the Sports and Social Club of the County Laboratories, Ltd., by kind permission of the club's committee. The response was not good, but all present (38) thoroughly enjoyed themselves and heartily endorsed the suggestion that another meeting might be arranged during the next season. The President was particularly pleased to be able to announce that Mr. W. A. Poucher, the Society's first Honorary Member, had been awarded the Gold Medal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and was the first non- American to receive this honour (see this Volume, pages 69-95). Considerable progress had been made towards the arrangements for a suitable course of study for the Society's Diploma, and regulations and a syllabus were being drawn up for the guidance of prospective candidates for the examination. Six lectures had been arranged for the coming winter session, and Mr. Riley was to be congratulated on the manner in which he had carried out his duties as Acting Honorary Secretary, and particularly for the News Letter which he had initiated and maintained. Mr. S. J. Palling, our Honorary Secretary, and Mr. P. J. Fowler, our Honorary Treasurer, had retired from their offices consequent to their leaving the country to live in Dublin and Mentone respectively, and Mr. Riley and Mr. R. T. Dobson had carried out these duties since their retirement. The 286