In a coryza which affects but one nostril, if both remain open the smell is confused; close that of the affected side and it will become distinct. A polypus on one side weakens the action of the correspondent pituitary, while that of the other remains unchanged: hence, as in the preceding case, the defect of harmony between the two organs, and the consequent confusion in the perception of odours. Most of these affections of one nostril separately, have similar results, and may be temporarily corrected in the manner I have pointed out; and why? because by rendering inactive one of the pituitaries its discordance of action with the other is made to cease.
We may conclude from this, that, since every accidental cause which destroys the harmony of the functions of the organs, renders the perception of odours confused, it is probable that where this perception is naturally incorrect, there is a natural inequality of conformation and consequently of strength in the nostrils.
The same also may be said of the taste: the tongue is often affected on one side only, with paralysis and spasm. The median line sometimes divides the insensible portion from that part which still preserves its sensibility. Why should not the same happen in the whole which takes place in a part? Why should not one of the sides, in preserving the faculty of perceiving savours, enjoy it in a less degree than the other?[1] Now in this case it is easy to conceive
- ↑ "Pourquoi l'un des côtes, en conservant la faculté de percevoir les saveurs n'en jouiroit-il pas d un moindre degré que l'autre?"The meaning of this
interrogatory, as it thus stands, is very obscure; the inference which the
author wished should be deduced from it, however, appears to be, that,
as only one side the tongue may be affected with paralysis, which is offered as a proof that taste is composed of two distinct sensations, the remaining side, or that portion of the tongue not affected by the paralysis must
communicate to us but a very imperfect idea of the impressions made,
upon it, or, in other words, a very inaccurate taste.
T.
D
