The identification and enumeration of active sweat glands in man from plastic impressions of the skin

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Abstract
A new technique is described for the investigation of active sweat glands in man. A solution of plastic is applied to the skin and detached after drying. In the cold the resulting plastic impression shows skin grooves, pilo-sebaceous follicles and, on the palms and soles, reliefs of eccrine sweat glands where these are inactive. Plastic impressions of sweating skin show these features and in addition bubbles or holes corresponding to the site of sweat gland ostia. The size of the holes is shown to be proportional to the degree of sweating Successive plastic impressions are readily superimposed by means of the skin grooves and pilo-sebaceous follicles, enabling changes in activity of individual sweat glands to be followed. The method can be used at high rates of sweating. Preparations of blistered skin showing the eccrine sweat gland ducts have been used to validate the method. The more generally used existing methods are compared in accuracy and scope with the plastic impression method.

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