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TASTE AND SMELL.

igin. A defect, or too great a degree of solidity, of the smallspungy bones of the upper jaw, the caverns of the forehead, &c.may likewise impair the sense of smelling. It may also be injuredby a collection of foetid matter in those caverns, which keeps con-stantly exhaling from them. Few things are more hurtful to thesense of smelling than taking great quantities of snuff.

When the nose abounds with moisture, after gentle evacuations,such things as tend to take off irritation, and coagulate the thinsharp serum, may be applied ; as the oil of aniseed mixed with fineflour; camphor dissolved in oil of almonds, &c. The vapours ofamber, frankincense, gum-mastic, and benjamin, may Jikevvise bereceived into the nose and mouth.

For moistening the mucus, when it is too dry, some recommendsnuff made of the leaves of marjoram, mixed with the oil of amber,marjoram, and aniseed ; or a sternutatory of calcined white vitri-ol ; twelve grains of which may be mixed with two ounces of mar-joram-water, and filtrated. The steam or vapour of vinegar uponhot iron received up the nostrils, is likewise of use for softening themucus, opening obstructions, &,c*

If there is an ulcer in the nose, it ought to be dressed with someemollient ointment, to which, if the pain be very great, a little lau-danum may be added. If it be a venereal ulcer, it is not to be cur-ed without mercury. In that case, the solution of the corrosivesublimate in brandy may be taken, as directed in the gutta serena.The ulcer ought likewise to be washed with it ; and the fumes ofcinnabar may be received up the nostrils.

If there be reason to suspect that the nerves, which supply theorgans of smelling are inert, or want stimulating, volatile salts,strong snuffs, and other things which occasion sneezing, may beapplied to the nose. The forehead may likewise be anointed withbalsam of Peru, to which may be added a little of the oil of am-ber.

The taste may be diminished by crusts, filth, mucus, apthse, pel-licles, warts, &c. covering the tongue. It may be depraved by afault of the saliva, which, being discharged into the mouth, givesthe same sensations as if the food which the person takes had re-ally a bad taste ; or it may be entirely destroyed by injuries doneto the nerves of the tongue and palate. Few things prove morehurtful either to the sense of tasting or smelling, than obstinatecolds, especially those which affect the head.

When the taste is diminished by filth, mucus, &>c. the tongueought to be scraped, and frequently washed with a mixture of wa-ter, vinegar, and honey, or some other detergent. When the sali-va is vitiated, which seldom happens, unless in fevers or other dis-eases, the curing of the disorder is the cure of this symptom. Torelieve it, however, in the mean time, the following things may beof use : If there be a bitter taste, it may be taken away by vomits,

*The most efficacious sternutatory, and which will frequently be found useful inobstinate head-achs and in complaints of the eyes, as well as in dryness of the nose,and deficiency oí smell, is composed of equal parts of the vitrioiated mercury, finesugar, and powder of liquorice root. These are to be well /nixed together. \ pinchof this composition drawn forcibly up the affected nostril a short time previous to goingto bed. generally produces a copious discharge of watery mucus nuunç the night,without sneezing. Ed.