The Effect of Chronic Exposure to Cold on Temperature and Blood Flow of the Hand

Abstract

Hand blood flow was related to temp. in Eskimos in the Arctic and in students living in a temperate climate. One of the effects of chronic exposure of the individual to cold is a reduction in the ambient temp. required for comfort. At this low ambient temp., the hand blood flow of the Eskimo is twice that of the white man, and the skin temp. of his hand is greater. At any given water-bath temp., the hand blood flow of the Eskimo is greater. The volume of the hand blood flow of the Eskimo changes more slowly in response to local cold. The degree of spontaneous fluctuation in hand blood flow is greater in the Eskimo and increases in both groups as the local temp. of the hand increases. The alterations which occur in the hand blood flow following chronic exposure to cold appear to enhance hand function in the cold.