Instrumentation of a handy microscopic probe for concurrent observation and measurement of active sweat secretion, and its applications

Instrumentation for the concurrent? dynamic monitoring of active sweat glands and perspiration volume is described. A device for the measurement of the rate of sweat secretion was installed on the head part of a microscope. The combined apparatus (microscopic probe) is handy for use and its weight is very light (ca. 300 g). The microscopic probe is easily attached to the surface of human skin. The dynamic activities of the sweat glands on the forehead and nose and under the nose were observed and measured when thermal, mental and physical stimuli were applied. The activities of individual sweat glands were asynchronous when observed in units of a few seconds or less; however, they worked synchronously in a unit period of several seconds. The latter were recorded as fine peaks by a strip chart recorder. The proposed system may be useful for the study of the sympathetic nervous system, the skin sympathetic reflex and the working of sudomotor nerves. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.