THE EFFECTS OF SOAKING THE SKIN IN WATER AT VARIOUS TEMPERATURES ON THE SUBSEQUENT ABILITY TO SWEAT

Journal/Book: J. Physiol. (1988) 194 pp. 1-11 With 4 text-figures. 1968;

Abstract: From the Royal Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine Farnborough Hampshire (Received 8 September 1966) SUMMARY 1. The ability of two human subjects to produce sweat was measured before and after immersion for up to 4 hr in water at 32-36° C (soak). 2. The ability to produce sweat declined about 4 times as rapidly when the subject was soaked at 36° C as at 32° C. 3. The rate of decline characteristic of soaking at 36° C was shown by subjects exercising in water at 35° C but not at rest at 35° C. The difference appeared to be related to the presence or absence of moderate sweating (300 g/hr) during the soak. At higher rates there was no further increase in the rate of decline. 4. Soaking at 39° C for 5 min after which the water temperature was reduced to 33° C caused a decline consistent with the supposition that while the subject was sweating the rate of decline was the same as that at 36° C and for the rest of the time the same as that at 32° C. 5. It is concluded that the rate of decline is increased if the sweat ducts are perfused and some possible mechanisms are discussed. schö

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