as hath been explained there, the which also is known by this, because these senses are hurt too.
If the cause of the hurt of Smelling consist in the part receiving the sent; because it consists of many that is either out of the Skul in the Cavity of the Nose, toge∣ther with the prominency and patency of the Nose, or tis profound and hidden, or within the the Skul, in the holes of smelling and its Organ.
Unless the two prominent Cha∣nels,
which they call the Nostrils, Extrinsecally drawing in the sent, by pressing on both side the Pins of the Nostrils, or by applying other things be stopt, and for a while do take a∣away the sense of smelling, which how it comes to pass by chance: because the hurt, which then it brings to breathing is greater then that which takes away the smelling, it shall be explained there, and when this is done on purpose and voluntarily; and that, that we may not smel external stinks: Because it is then no waies counted a fault, we need explain it: As also if against ourwill they be stuft with Snivel, or Tumor, unless this be at once in both Nostrils, and they be wholly stopt, whence the smelling would be hindred, (the which yet can scarce be done, that so great quanti∣ty of Snivel should long stick there, and a Polypus is wont to possess one Nostril only) becaus that doth ra∣ther prejudice the drawing in of the breath the smelling this cause also must be refered thither.
In the profound largeness of the Nostrils,
not that which is carried transversly from the Nostrils to the palate (because through that only the scent, which we meet with out∣wardly doth no way ascend, but that also which breaths from those things, which are put into the Mouth, as hath been said, is kept off by reason of this transverse Scituation, and is not perceived, unless some other cause be joy∣ned) but that which is next to the Skul, the sive like Bone, and the spung Bones of the Nose. If there be so great a Repletion, or such an obstruction, about the holes of the said sivelike Bone, which may hinder the sent of things that it cannot Penetrate, a defect of smel∣ling oftimes happens.
Which oftentimes happens from thick Flegm distil∣ling thither from the Brain, and being long retained, and somtimes becomming mucous, and highly viscid, and upon that occount the smelling is hindred, and when putrifying it begins to stink, or strainge matter endued with a strong sent is mixt with it, it is depra∣ved, till that matter being cast off, which is done by vehement blowing of the Nose, or by Sneezing, they are freed from that Disease.
That this hath somtimes happen'd from a Gypseous and Tophaceous matter, or from a Stone bred in those narrow passages, the voiding of these things hath at last made manifest.
And what is rare, that a Worm bred there and a long time retained, and after many years voided all hairy, from a Woman of Berna, hath given occasion of this fault, the Physitian of that place hath signified to me, and sent me the draught of that Worm.
They teach also that it may be done by matter retai∣ned, but unless somwhat else be joyned, as a Callus from an Ulcer, or an Excrescency, matter cannot be so long retained, not in no wise grow so thick.
And also this defect somtimes betides those whose bones of the Nose are fallen down in that place, either by a Disease the bones being eaten, as in the Elephan∣tiacal, or those troubled with an Ozena, or by a fall, or blow made upon that part, and the bones being broken which also happens to some from their Birth, that their Nose being deprest about the root, they do not smel well.
The smal holes of smelling in part of the thick Membrane of the Brain,
which is spred over the sivelike Bone perforated in like manner, if they be filled with any Humor, because no∣thing ought to be carried through them naturally, but the sent, do cause a defect in the Smelling.
As it comes to pass, when a thin Rheum, or the se∣rous Excrements of the Brain falling down to this higher part within the Skul, and passing through the narrow holes, and distilling from the Nostrils do pro∣duce the said Coryza. Then some portion of this matter remaining in the said holes, and obstructing them, it brings a desect of smelling, which is wont to accom∣pany, or follow a Coryza, the which also may happen from other matter heaped there.
And also it happens by fault of conformation from the Birth, that these holes being absent, both in the Membrane and the bone, and omitted by the desect of Nature, or being but blind ones, this becomes an original fault with man, that he smels nothing, as on the contrary it is credible, those who have these holes larger, as they seem to to be in Dogs which are quick of sent, that they smel more acutely, and truely.
That also may happen by default of the Organ of Smelling or Nerve,
if it be too much moisten'd, as hath been already said, by a thin Humor flowing down to these holes, on on which the Organ of Smelling lies; or be prest with an afflux of of another Humor, as hath been said of the rest of the Sensory Organs, or Nerves, which also may befal them from the Birth, by the fault of Conformation, if either they be wanting, or if they offend in Scituation and Figure.
The Cure.
The Cure must be prepared accor∣ding to the Diversity of the place,
chiefly where the Disease, or its cause lies, which we have taught doth con∣sist in the Brain, or the Cavities of the Nose, or in the holes of Smelling, or in the Instru∣ment.
If it be by reason of the Brain, then we must oppose it here, as hath been explained in the rest of the senses, in like manner hurt together with the Smelling.
If the Patent, or hidden Cavity of the Nostrils be stopt,
or obstructed with Snivel, or thick Viscous Flegm, then we must try by purging it, if it can be so removed, or by blowing it to take it away by degrees. And we must endeavor to shake it off by Snee∣zing, chiefly by irritating the expulsive faculty, if it be already prepared for excretion.
Putting into the Nostrils, if they yeild not easily, or lie deep, those things which may mollefie them if they be hard, or attenuate them if they be thick, or clense them if they stick Pertinatiously, and may stimulate also the expulsive faculty, whence they may afterwards