ELEVATION OF THE THERMAL THRESHOLD BY EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED LOCAL VASOCONSTRICTION
Abstract
The transport of epinephrine chloride into the human skin by electrical means (iontophoresis) was demonstrated to produce local changes of surface temperature which was related by the theoretically derived curves of Hertzman to a reduction in cutaneous circulation and thus to a reduction in vasomobility. A positive correlation was demonstrated between the calculated decrement in circulation and thermal threshold. These thresholds were statistically higher than those of a normal control area. Non-significant thermal threshold differences in control and experimental areas of the forehead were related to the inexperience of the psychophysical subject at this time in the experiment and to a reported lack of vasomotor innervation of this area. Vibratory thresholds were unaltered by the iontophoresis and supposed reduction in vasomotility. The results support an independent transducer mechanism for the thermal and tactile sense and emphasize the role of the cutaneous capillary system in the temperature detection process. These data and conclusions may be considered as a tentative test of Nafe's vascular theory of thermal reception.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 10, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0407327
Entities
People
- William W. Dawson
Organizations
- United States Army Medical Research Laboratory