Digital vasoconstrictive responses to sensory stimulation have been known for many years; however, they have not been considered useful diagnostic signs of disease of the nervous system or blood vessels, since the many factors influencing these reactions have not been adequately clarified.* It is the purpose of this report to examine the nature of the induced vasomotor reflexes and to point out certain conditions in which knowledge of the behavior of these reflexes is of clinical value.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Approximately 500 induced vasomotor reflexes have been studied in 125 persons. Forty-five subjects were normal; 45 had organic arterial disease due to arteriosclerosis; 20 were blind or deaf subjects without vascular disease; 10 had Raynaud's syndrome, and 5 had emotional problems resulting in strong anxiety states. The average age was 39 years, with a range of 20 to 62. Sixty per cent were female. Vasodilatation was induced by having the