The effect of a water load on cutaneous water loss in man.

1. Ingestion of 1 l. water at 37 degrees C had no effect on the rate of water loss from forearm and hand skin although ingestion of a similar volume at 16 degrees C significantly decreased the rate.2. Ingestion of 1 l. water at 37 degrees C had no physiologically significant effect on the expiratory minute volume.3. Ingestion of 500 ml. water at 37 degrees C caused small increases in total body weight loss in environmental temperatures of 29 and 40 degrees C.4. It is concluded that neither cutaneous nor respiratory water loss play an important part in the excretion of a water load in man.