exposure for at least 18 h before the audiometric examination. The air conduction hearing level of the left ear was analyzed. The diagnosis of VWF was based on the visualized attack after the cold provocation test. The skin temperature was measured on both hands and all fingertips, with a Klinsk (Soviet Union) type Temp 60 contact thermometer. The cold provocation test was done by immersing the hands and arms (including the elbow and without contact between the hands) in cold water at 9–9.5°C at the beginning of the test3, 5) and not exceeding 10°C at the end of it. The duration of the test was 10 min. The subject had the upper part of the body (arms, thorax) undressed. The room temperature was 20–22°C. It is very important to mention that the miners examined worked in cold mines where the air temperature was constantly 7.5–10°C throughout the year. The water used for the pneumatic hammer had a temperature of 9–10°C, the same as that for the cold provocation test and the air temperature in the mines.
The rate of recovery of skin temperature of the third fingertip x min after immersion of the suffering or right