Damp Cold vs. Dry Cold. Specific Effects of Humidity on Heat Exchange of Unclothed Man

Abstract
Rectal and skin temperatures, O2 consumption, reports of shivering, cold sensation and pilomotor response were studied in 9 subjects lying for 100 minutes unclothed at 48[degree]F and at 58[degree]F, with 30% and 80% relative humidity. Analysis by paired statistics showed that though skin temperatures and heat losses were unrelated to humidity, subjects felt colder, shivered more and had a greater response in rise of rectal temperature when humidity was low than when high. Effect is attributed to uptake of moisture by the skin and change of thermal conductivity at the receptors in high humidity. It was also found that breathing 100% O2 suppressed shivering.