An Apparatus and Method for the Continuous Measurement of Evaporative Water Loss from Human Subjects

摘要

The evaporation of water from the skin and lung surfaces is an important factor in the thermal balance of man. Methods formerly employed for the determination of evaporative rate gave only average values for relatively long intervals of time and, hence, could not be used to detect rapid changes in rate. The measurement of high sweat rates by these methods was also very difficult. It was desirable, therefore, to develop an apparatus and method which would record continuously the rate of evaporation of water from the body under a wide range of experimental conditions. An infrared gas analysis apparatus was developed which gave a continuous record of evaporative rate. The subject was placed in a chamber through which a steady flow of air at several closely controlled temperatures and humidities was maintained. (Author)