Dol (unit)

The dol (from Latin dolor = pain) is a unit of measure for the intensity of a pain sensation proposed in 1947 by James D. Hardy (1904–1985), Harold G. Wolff and Helen Goodell . The unit never caught on and is rarely used today.

The scientists developed a pain scale by directing a heat beam with gradually increased temperature onto the forehead of test subjects. These should determine which pain intensities can just be distinguished. Twelve levels were recorded from the first perceptible pain to the upper pain threshold. The dol was suggested as the unit for these levels.

Individual evidence

↑ James D. Hardy, Harold G. Wolff and Helen Goodell: Studies on Pain: Discrimination of Differences in Intensity of a Pain Stimulus as a Basis of a Scale of Pain Intensity . PMC 439460 (free full text).

[1] James D. Hardy, Harold G. Wolff and Helen Goodell: Studies on Pain: Discrimination of Differences in Intensity of a Pain Stimulus as a Basis of a Scale of Pain Intensity . PMC 439460 (free full text).