The reality and subtlety of the influence of odors is further
shown, by the cases in which very intense effects are produced
even by the temporary inhalation of flowers or perfumes or other
odors. Such cases of idiosyncrasy in which a person--frequently
of somewhat neurotic temperament--becomes acutely sensitive to
some odor or odors have been recorded in medical literature for
many centuries. In these cases the obnoxious odor produces
congestion of the respiratory passages, sneezing, headache,
fainting, etc., but occasionally, it has been recorded, even
death. (Dr. J.N. Mackenzie, in his interesting and learned paper
on "The Production of the so-called 'Rose Cold,' etc.," _American
Journal of Medical Sciences_, January, 1886, quotes many cases,
and gives a number of references to ancient medical authors; see
also Layet, art. "Odeur," _Dictionnaire Encyclopedique des
Sciences Medicales_.)
An interesting phenomenon of the group--though it is almost too
common to be described as an idiosyncrasy--is the tendency of the
odor of certain flowers to affect the voice and sometimes even to
produce complete loss of voice.
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