SMELL. 54-3 



the mouth during the acts of inspiration and subsequent expir- 

 ation. 



It was first observed by Willis m that, on placing a sapid sub- 

 stance in the mouth, and at the same time closing the nostrils, 

 the sensation of taste is suspended. This observation has since 

 been frequently repeated, and has given rise to the generally 

 prevailing opinion that a very intimate relation exists between 

 the sensations of smelling and tasting, and that the same qualities 

 of bodies simultaneously affect both these senses. The fact is that 

 the causes of taste and smell are totally distinct in their nature. 

 Tastes, properly so called, affect only the gustatory expansion, 

 and are, consequently, unaltered by closing the nostrils ; but, as 

 most sapid substances have also an odour, and expiration takes 

 place frequently during mastication and generally directly after 

 deglutition, the odorous emanations are made to pass over the pi- 

 tuitary membrane. Odour, which thus accompanies taste, is 

 termed flavour. 



Sugar, salt, and vinegar, have each a real taste, which can be 

 affected neither by catarrh, palsy of the olfactory nerves, nor by 

 stopping the nostrils ; but the flavour and odour of roast meats, of 

 spices, of liqueurs, &c,, are identical, and they are affected equally 

 by the same conditions. 



Dr. Prout, I believe, was the first who pointed out the distinc- 

 tion between taste and flavour. 11 He conceived, however, that 

 flavour was intermediate between taste and smell. 



I have seen instances of the loss of smell from a fall on the 

 head, and other violent causes. Whatever had no odour could be 

 tasted as usual : but the mechanical and pungent qualities only of 

 simply odorous bodies habitually taken into the mouth could be 

 perceived ; and bodies both odorous and sapid were tasted only, 

 and therefore but imperfectly judged of. 



Some tribes of uncivilised men far surpass us in the power of 

 smell. The American Indians have distinguished men of differ- 

 ent nations by this sense. Dogs readily distinguish individuals 

 by its means, and in many brutes of prey it is very powerful. 



111 De anima brutorum. By Thos. Willis, M. D. 1672. 



n London Med. and Physical Journal. 1812. 



I was consulted by a tea-broker who lost his smell from a fall on his head, 

 and could no longer judge of teas. He went through the form of tasting teas 

 at the East India House, that his inability might not be suspected, but he was 

 totally insensible to their flavour. He tasted salt and sugar as well as ever. 



o o 



