Variables affecting sensitivity of the human skin to mechanical vibration.

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Abstract
An examination is made of the role of the skin as a mechanical system in producing the usual U-shaped sensitivity curve to vibration as a function of frequency. On the basis of previous research it is assumed that the receptors sensitive to mechanical vibration do not respond selectively to frequency, and the hypothesis is formulated that either skin or bony tissue possesses mechanical characteristics such that it has a natural period of vibration in the frequency region of 100-300 c.p.s. Predictions based on the above assumption and hypothesis are: (1) areas such as the tongue and fingertip should have different relative sensitivities at different frequencies; (2) skin conductivity should be max. at the frequency of greatest sensitivity to vibration, and bony tissue should conduct relatively better than bone-free tissue; (3) the mechanical impedance of tissue should be a min. at the frequency of greatest sensitivity, and bony tissue should have a different impedance from that of bone-free tissue. These hypotheses are tested exptlly. and it is concluded that (a) both skin and bony tissue may have resonant frequencies within the range studied; (b) hypothesis (2) appears to be correct; (c) hypothesis (3) appears to be correct. The research of other investigators is discussed, and further research on the vibratory sensitivity of "spots" on the skin is suggested as a possible aid in clarifying the conflicting results now in the literature.

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