Se ee we ‘ 
_ Though these senses are not of so great importance to man 
_ state of society, as the sight and hearing, yet cage loss of them is 
attended with some inconveniency, they deserve our notice. The 
are seldom to be restored when lost, which ought to make us very - 
attentive to their preservation, by carefully avoiding whatever may 
in the Jeast prove injurious to them. é 
~ 
Luxury is highly injurious to these organs. When the nose and 
palate are frequently stimulated by fragrant and poignant 
they soon lose the power of distinguishing tastes and odors with 
degree of nicety. Man, in a state of nature, may perhaps have the 
ener as acute as any other animal. ‘his is exemplified i 
ndian. ae 
The sense of smelling may be diminished or destroyed by dis- 
eases; as the moisture, dryness, inflammation or suppuration of the | 
membrane which lines the inside of the nostrils. A defect, or too 
great a degree of solidity, of the small spongy bones of the upper. 
jaw, the caverns of the forehead, &c. may likewise impair the sense 
of smelling. It may also be injured by a collection of feetid matter — 
in those caverns, which keeps constantly exhalip 
Few things are more hurtful to the sense of sm elling 
large quantities of snuff. _ : Rows Pre 
hen the nose abounds with moisture, or when it is too dry, ster-. 
nutatories, or stimulating snuffs, may be used; as marjoram ; 
y bark, colt’s foot, &c. The steam or vapor of vinegar, 
Le 
SP iy 
on a hot iron and received into the nostrils, is likewise of 
softening the mucus, opening obstructions, &e. ae 
If there is an ulcer in the nose, discharging matter, and proceed- 
ing from the venereal or any other disease, the cause should be re- 
moved by general cleansing remedies, to which may be 
washes or ointments of the parts, with substances of a 
nature. ete wh 
if there be reason to suspect that the nerves which 
organs of smelling are inert, or want stimulating, volatile 
snufts, and such things as occasion sneezing may be 
_ nose. — * : ince ? ee sf 
_ Lhe diminished by crusts, filth, mucus, scabs and 
e. It maybe depraved by a fault of 
saliva, w charged into the mouth, gives the same sen- 
sations as if the which the person takes had really a bad taste ; 
or it may be en -oyed by injuries done to the nerves 
tongue and palate, by frequent mercurial salivations, and other 
Few things prove more hurtful, either to the sense of tasting 
ling, than obstinate colds, especially those which affect the 
the taste is diminished by filth, mucus, &c. the t 
ht to be scraped and frequently washed with a mixture o 
gar and honey, or some other detergent. Where th 
seldom happens, unless in disease, . 
