[Method of detecting excitability of skin receptors in the diagnosis of vibration disease].

The follow-up studies of patients with vibration disease caused by local vibration proved diagnostic value of minor skin response of dorsal hand surface and anterior surface of arm or forearm, if subjected to irritation with mixture of chloroform and ethanol. Depressed skin receptors during the disease are diagnosed through longer latent period of burning sensation in two of three points irritated on skin of the upper limb. The diagnostic method based on chemical stimulation of skin receptors is highly sensitive (86.9%) and specific (94.4%), especially for early stages of the disease, promoting detection of subclinical peripheral neuropathy caused by vibration. Due to its simplicity and availability the method could replace algesimetry in mass screening among workers exposed to vibration.