The significance of the local sweat response in assessing the progress of leprosy.

Serial observations on cutaneous sensation and on sweat response in hypopigmented flat patches of twenty-nine patients with tuberculoid and five with dimorphous leprosy on dapsone therapy were studied over 2 years. Sensation was determined by routine methods, while sweat stimulation was done by intradermal injection of 0-1 ml (0.025 mg) of carbachol (carbaminoylcholine). There was significant improvement in sensation and considerable augmentation of sweat response in the final as compared to the initial tests. The difference in sweat response was statistically significant, suggesting the value of this simple procedure in assessing the progress of leprosy.