[Thermometry in experimental inflammation. II. Studies of the effect of local cold application on the skin temperature of the rat's paw in experimental inflammation].

In continuation of earlier thermometric investigations on experimental inflammations in rats we studied the effect of a single local cold application on paw skin temperature after injection of caolin , carrageenan and dextran. In all cooling experiments a highly significant drop of skin temperature of the inflamed paw could be demonstrated which came up to an average of 17 degrees C. However, the further course of skin temperature was very different. In caolin edema, the skin of the inflamed paw rewarmed quickly; after injection of carrageenan and dextran the skin temperature was significantly low after 60 min, but it exceeded the values later on. These results demonstrate that local cooling significantly influences experimental inflammations. Depending on different etiology and pathogenesis, however, the reaction of inflammation on cooling is very different.