Dermatomal Recruitment of Sweating

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Abstract
The simultaneous sweating responses on 14-17 different skin areas was recorded by the iodine_starch_paper method, during progressive elevation of environmental temp. from approx. 25-38[degree] to 40[degree]C. As the air temp. slowly rose, sweating commonly, although not invariably, decreased on the palm and sole. When sweating on these areas continued, it showed no relationship to air temp. Exclusive of the palm and sole, sweating first appeared on the dorsum of the foot, next on the calf, the thigh, the trunk, upper extremity and finally the face. Sweating may be marked on the lower extremity and lower trunk while the upper trunk, arm and face remain dry. Variation in time of recruitment may appear even in adjacent areas such as the medial and lateral surfaces of the thigh, arm and forearm. Initial recruitment in all areas was marked by sweating of low intensity. When nearly all of the body surface was actively sweating, the intensity of sweating frequently changed simultaneously on all surfaces. Progressive recruitment occurred even in the presence of falling oral temps. The neural basis for an ascending recruitment of sweating is discussed in relation to thermal stimulation of cutaneous receptors and central facilitation.
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