CHANGE IN THE REACTION OF THE SKIN TO HISTAMINE

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Abstract
When a minute amount of histamine is introduced into the skin, a reaction promptly follows which has the appearance and produces the sensation of a mosquito bite. Sir Thomas Lewis1has demonstrated that this reaction consists of a triple response: first, local dilatation of capillaries, venules and arterioles by direct action (a purple spot); second, widespread dilatation of surrounding arterioles resulting from a local reflex (the flare), and, third, local increased permeability of the walls of minute vessels by direct action (the wheal). He believes that diverse types of injury cause similar skin reactions by producing the liberation of histamine or a substance of similar action, within the skin, and that the reaction is purposive, producing local changes in blood and lymph production requisite to defend the surviving cells from further injury.2Certain of his experiments show that, if the circulation is completely obstructed, neither wheal nor flare

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