Physiotherapeutic doses of microwave irradiation to the hindlimb of the anaesthetized dog increased the temperature in the underlying skin and muscle by 5-6 degrees C and, after a latency of 2-8 min, heart rate, blood pressure and femoral conductance all increased. The conductance increase was predominantly in the paw. At this time plasma catecholamine levels were elevated above resting values. At the conclusion of irradiation, heart rate and blood pressure rapidly returned to basal levels, but there was a sustained increase in femoral conductance which was mainly in the leg. The results are discussed in terms of the likely mechanisms underlying the effects of microwave irradiation on limb blood flow and compared with those obtained with direct heating of arterial blood and limb tissue in the accompanying paper.