The effect of a water load on cutaneous water loss in man

1. Ingestion of 1 l. water at 37° C had no effect on the rate of water loss from forearm and hand skin although ingestion of a similar volume at 16° C significantly decreased the rate. 2. Ingestion of 1 l. water at 37° C had no physiologically significant effect on the expiratory minute volume. 3. Ingestion of 500 ml. water at 37° C caused small increases in total body weight loss in environmental temperatures of 29 and 40° C. 4. It is concluded that neither cutaneous nor respiratory water loss play an important part in the excretion of a water load in man.