XCI Experimental and Clinical Observations regarding the Physiology and Pharmacology of the Nose

The mucous membranes lining the nose and upper respiratory passages possess a high degree of sensitivity. Minute traces of such substances as chlorine, benzedrine, or ammonia in the respired air may lead to extensive reactions in a variety of structures or organs, both local and remote. The observations and experimental results described in this paper deal with the general character of some of these reactions, and with the basic mechanisms by which they are rendered possible. There are many problems yet to be solved in this general field. It is probable that, in some instances, enlightenment may be more readily gained through a study of the action of drugs on these respiratory passages than in any other way. Many drugs, hormones, and the like, which may be introduced into the circulation at points remote from the nose can exercise influences, which in some instances may be very profound, on these upper respiratory passages and their related structures. It is hoped that the approach to these problems which the following experiments illustrate may be helpful to others who work in this general field, either in the clinic or in the laboratory.