Capillary Response to Emotion

Abstract

A study of the effect of emotional factors upon the capillaries by means of observations on the capillary resistance revealed 2 types of capillary response: a short immediate reaction and a response of long duration. The immediate reaction studied in the human being and in various laboratory animals consists of a spasm of the precapillary arterioles resulting in an ischemic area at the site where the suction for testing the capillary resistance was applied. During this precapillary spasm the actual level of the capillary resistance is camouflaged and can hardly be evaluated. Recognition of this condition is essential in any study of the capillary resistance. Emotional-stress is capable of eliciting a prolonged change in the capillary resistance of the albino rat which is in every respect similar to the change found following various types of somatic stress. Four phases may be distinguished in this capillary response: initial rise of the capillary resistance, a sudden drop, a period of abnormally low resistance, restoration to normal. The entire response has an average duration of 30 days. On the basis of previous studies of the hormonal regulation of the capillary resistance it is believed that the first phase is due to an increased pitultary-adreno-cortical activity, the 2d and 3d (termed "capillary crisis") to a refractory state of the adrenal cortex. These findings may be regarded as a contribution to our knowledge of psychosomatic derailments and, specifically, to that of the emotional influence on the endocrine system.