1885 v. 28 - Lane Medical Library Digital Document Repository

New Books. 37
etc., frequently gives rise to violent paroxysms of coughing. Mc-
Kenzie of Baltimore, observing this, instituted a series of experiments
upon a number of persons, by which he has been enabled
to locate definitely what he terms the " sensitive area," upon the
posterior portion of the inferior turbinated bones and the portion
of the septum immediately opposite. The result of experiment
has led to the following conclusions:
1. That in cases where reflex cough exists, these are the portions
chiefly if not solely involved.
2. That the act may be produced here at will by artificial stimulation
of the parts invaded by the morbid process.
3. That foreign bodies, such as pins, lodging in this area sometimes
give rise to cough, which latter is not observed when they
become impacted in other parts of the nose.
4. That polypi give rise to phenomena only when they arise
from, or infringe upon, the sensitive portions of the area.
5. That it may be dissipated (the cough) by local applications
to, or removal of, the membrane covering the diseased surface.
6. That where complete atrophy of the turbinated structures
exists, as, for example, in ozaena, reflex cough is not present, nor
can it be induced by artificial stimulation.
Of those who have the pernicious habit of breathing exclusively
through the mouth, the author says:
" The habitual mouth-breather can be at once recognized; there
is no mistaking them, as the practice stamps itself indelibly upon
the physiognomy. The retracted lips, open mouth, receding
gums, protruding teeth, especially the upper ones, shrunken alae,
diminished size of the orifice of the nostrils, the wrinkles at the
outer angles of the eyes, and the lines extending from the alae
of the nose to the angles of the mouth, give the wearer an idiotic
and silly expression. Hearing is impaired, arising from direct
exposure of the orifices of the eustachian tube, or from the congestion
which may extend into them. There is elevation of the
voice, this becoming nasal in character, and there is sometimes a
difficulty in the enunciation of certain consonants, for instance, p,
b, d. t, k. Meyer lays great stress upon the peculiar dead
character of the speech, differing from the dull and thick speech
of enlarged tonsils."
In the year 1865, there was published by a member of the medcal
profession a little book intended for popular reading, and entitled,
" Shut your Mouth." The ills consequent upon the vicious