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348
Original Articles and Clinical Cases
Tactile Hairs
Number by which the hair is known Pressure in grammes Measured radii in μ Total area in mm.² Radius of a circle of the same area in μ Pressure per unit area Tension
1 0·04 30 × 54 0·005 40 8 grm./mm.² 1 grm./mm.
2 0·1 45·5 × 57·5 0·0085 52 12 grm./mm.² 2 grm./mm.
3 0·21 55 × 90 0·015 70 14 grm./mm.² 3 grm./mm.
4 0·23 40 × 80 0·011 58 21 grm./mm.² 4 grm./mm.
5 0·36 60 × 90 0·017 73·5 21 grm./mm.² 5 grm./mm.
8 0·88 100 × 120 0·0377 110 23 grm./mm.² 8 grm./mm.

Towards the end of our research, we received a second set of hairs from Professor von Frey which were useful in measuring the punctate pressure capable of producing cutaneous pain. These so-called "pain-hairs" exercise considerably greater pressure than those used for testing cutaneous tactile sensibility, and are graduated by calculating the pressure per unit area. Thus, we shall speak of the tactile hairs as No. 5, No. 8, &c, whilst the so-called "pain-hairs" will be known by the pressure they exert per unit area.

So-called "Pain-Hairs."
Number by which the hair is known Pressure in grammes Measured radii in μ Total area in mm.² Radius of a circle of the same area in μ Pressure per unit area Tension
35 1·4 100 × 130 0·041 114 35 grm./mm.² 12 grm./mm.
40 1·8 115 × 125 0·045 120 40 grm./mm.² 15 grm./mm.
70 3 115 × 115 0·042 115 70 grm./mm.² 26 grm./mm.
90 3·6 100 × 130 0·041 114 90 grm./mm.² 32 grm./mm.
100 3·5 80 × 140 0·035 110 100 grm./mm.² 32 grm./mm.
110 4·8 105 × 130 0·044 120 110 grm./mm.² 40 grm./mm.
120 4·3 95 × 125 0·037 110 120 grm./mm.² 39 grm./mm.
150 11 125 × 185 0·073 150 150 grm./mm.² 73 grm./mm.
222 10 115 × 125 0·045 120 222 grm./mm.² 83 grm./mm.
266 12 115 × 125 0·045 120 266 grm./mm.² 100 grm./mm.

Throughout the greater part of this research, we have attempted to measure roughly the force applied in pricking the skin by means of an instrument we have called the "algesimeter." It consists essentially of a sharp needle attached by a flexible joint to a rigid rod. This is weighted and slides freely through two supports placed 10 cm. apart projecting horizontally from a vertical brass bar. When the needle is brought into contact with the skin, the full pressure of the weight on the rod would be