Peritoneum

3675

Perkins

Peritoneum) the largest serous membrane
in the bod)-, situated in the abdominal cav-
ity. Like the pleura and pericardium it con-
sists of two layers—a parietal lining the walls
of the cavity and a visceral closely investing
the majority of the abdominal organs, and
mooring them firmly in position. Between
the two la.vers lies a potential space, the peri-
toneal cavity, which in the male is closed—
but in the female is in direct communication
with the Fallopian tubes to enable the ova
to reach the cavity of the uterus.

Various folds of peritoneum pass between
the different viscera and the enclosing walls.
Similarly there are folds binding the small
and large intestine to the posterior wall, and
finally a third group of folds connecting
other viscera with the abdominal or pelvic
walls. While the functions of the peritone-
um are chiefly mechanical in diminishing
friction and mooring the viscera, the mem-
brane also possesses marked secretory and
absorptive powers. Peritonitis, or inflamma-
tion of the peritoneum, may be acute or
chronic, general or local. A general peritonitis
is most usually caused by the introduction of
septic organisms into the peritoneal cavity,
such as may follow a perforating wound of
the abdominal wall.

Periwinkle, a plant.

Periwinkle (Littonna), a genus of gaster-
opods, several species of which are common
between tidemarks on North Atlantic shores.
The shell is top-shaped, with a short spire
and an entire and nearly circular mouth. Of
the common forms the largest is the common
periwinkle (L. littorea), which is commonly
boiled and eaten in England. This mollusk,
since about 1860, has been acclimated to the
North American coast, and now swarms from
Nova Scotia to Long Island Sound. Native
America species are L. rudis and L. palliata.

Perizzites, a tribe which, before the Is-
raelite invasion, occupied part of Canaan—
probably the central and southern districts

Perjury. The criminal offence of know-
ingly giving false testimony in a judicial pro-
ceeding. It has been the subject of legisla-
tion from an early period and is today de-
fined by statute in most jurisdictions, but it
is a common law offence as well and punish-
able as such. To constitute perjury at com-
mon law a statement must not only be made
under oath in a judicial proceeding, but musl
be material to the issue which is being tried
To constitute perjury the statement must
have been made wilfully and with knowledge
of its falsity or at least without an honest

belief in its truth. Perjury is generally re-
garded as a felony and an 'infamous crime,'
as that phrase is employed in the courts of
the United States.

Subornation of perjury consists of coun-
selling, inciting, or procuring a witness to
commit a perjury which is actually commit-
ed. See EVIDENCE; OATH. Consult Stephens'
Jistory of Criminal Law.
Perkin, Sir William Henry (1838-1907),
English chemist, born in London, and became
assistant to Hofmann at the Royal College of
Chemistry. In 1856 he discovered a purple or
mauve dye formed by the oxidation of ani-
ine, and started its manufacture. He thus
'ounded the aniline or rather coal-tar color
ndustry. He also discovered two processes
of manufacturing alizarin.

Perkins, Charles Callahan (1822-86),
American art critic and historian. He was one
of the founders and leading spirits of the
Boston Museum of Fine Arts. He was also
interested in music, and as president of the
Boston Handel and Haydn Society (1870-83)
sometimes conducted its concerts. His books
include: Tuscan Sculptors (i86S), both with
etchings by the author; Art in Education
(1870); Ghiberti et son Ecole (1885).

Perkins, Elisha (1741-99), American phy-
sician, born in Norwich, Conn. In 1796 he
patented an instrument which he called a
'metallic tractor' for use in local inflamma-
tion. The use of the instruments became very
popular and medical authorities attributed
the cures to a new influence which they
called 'Perkinsism/ In 1799 there was a seri-
ous epidemic of yellow fever in New York
City, and Dr. Perkins volunteered his serv-
ices in the fever hospital in order to test an
antiseptic remedy he had compounded. He
was attacked by the fever and succumbed to
it.

Perkins, Frances (1883- ), first
woman to serve in a President's cabinet, was
born in Boston. From 1910-12, she was ex-
ecutive secretary of the Consumers' League.
She served on numerous industrial commis-
sions and in 1928 was appointed Indus-
trial Commissioner at the head of the New
York State Department of Labor. In March
1933, she was appointed Secretary of Labor
and served until 1945. (In private life,
Miss Perkins is Mrs. Paul Wilson.)

Perkins, Jacob (1766-1849), American
inventor, born in Newburyport, Mass. In
1787 the state of Massachusetts employed
him to prepare the dies for its copper coin-
age. In 1790 lie invented a machine for