Figure 2.

The paw of the rat and the experimental protocol. After isolation of the cell with the entire receptive field (RF) in the plantar surface of the paw, the RFs to low threshold brush and high threshold pinch were mapped. A marker was used to draw the length of the incision (straight black line down the center of the foot) relative to the size of the foot from the center of the RF to just outside the RF. The threshold and the responses to threshold and suprathreshold were determined at the center of the RF adjacent to the incision. Brush and pinch RF were mapped and responses were recorded in the center of the RF across the incision and at the extent of the incision inside at the outer edge of the RF (the small circles for the thresholds and arrows for the brush and the pinch at the limits of the incision). An incision was made along the line and closed with one suture. One hour later the same testing paradigm was again repeated.