PERSPIRATION (

See also:

• LAT

Lat. per, through, and spirare, to breathe)  , the excretion of sweat from the sweat-glands of the skin . Sweat is a clear colourless neutral or slightly alkaline fluid containing 2% of solids . Under pathological conditions, sugar urea and other substances are found . The secretion of sweat is constantly going on, the activity of the sweat-glands being under control of the central nervous system . The only function of sweat is the regulation of the heat discharge from the body . The chief morbid conditions of the sweat-glands are excessive sweating (Hyperidrosis) and foetid sweating (Bromidrosis) . Excessive sweating is a symptom observed in various diseases, such as tuberculosis and rheumatic fever, but it may exist apart from such conditions, and either be general, affecting the whole body, or confined to a part, such as the axillae, head, hands, feet, or, as in some rare instances, the one half of the body . Excessive perspiration may often he prevented by the cold bath, and by tonics, such as iron, quinine, strychnia, &c . Locally, the use of astringent lotions of vinegar or a weak solution of lead will also be of service . Foetid sweating most frequently affects the feet, specially in those who have much fatigue, and is apparently due to rapid decomposition in the perspiration which has saturated the stockings; these should be frequently changed and the feet washed several times a day, dried carefully, and dusted with some antiseptic powder .