Cameron,
I believe that quantitative measures of sweat production are quite
difficult to obtain. One method I am aware of is the QSART - (Qantitative
Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test). A perspex capsule is placed on the skin which
creates a 'microenvironment'. Air is then blown through the capsule and
the humidity measured. Acetylcholine is then iontophoresed into the skin
which stimulates sweating and the resultant sweat output is measured.
I'm not able to shed much light on the ninhydrin but I believe that cobalt
blue and starch iodide are also used in the same manner to qualitatively
measure sympathetic function. The references below might be of use:
Rogers, J.N. and Valley, M.A. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. 'Clinics in
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery'. Vol.11 (1) Jan. 1994. pp 73-83
Wilson, P. R. Sympathetically Maintained Pain: Diagnosis, Measurement, and
Efficacy of Treatment. In M. Stanton-Hicks (Ed.), Pain and the Sympathetic
Nervous System (1990). Kluwer Academic Publishers. pp. 91-123.
Regards,
Lesley.
Lesley Newcombe, B.Pod.(Hons).
Associate Lecturer,
School of Human Biosciences,
Department of Podiatry,
La Trobe University,
Bundoora, Vic. 3083
AUSTRALIA.
Tel: 03-9479-5834
Fax: 03-9479-5840
Email: [log in to unmask]
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