HOW NOT TO SNEEZE

Evening Star, Issue 18714, 16 August 1924, Page 10

HOW NOT TO SNEEZE

SOCIAL AND HYGIENIC TIPS. Tho prevention of a sneeze is usually an easy matter. Dr Paul Farez,, in the " Causenc Medicate ’ of the ‘Journal des Dcbals ’ (Piiris), gives dozens of methods, dating back lo classical"’ antiquity, and explains how they act. He believes, however, that the stoppage of a. sneeze is desirable —rather in conformity to the laws of good society than as a. hygienic measure. Tho danger of infect ion from a sneeze he regards as having been greatly exaggerated. Tho sneeze is Nature’s method of relieving irritation. Dr Farez writes: — “ One should not infect one’s neighbors ; hence certain apostles of hygiene tell us not to sneeze.

“But, you say, sneezing is unexpected and imperious; we must do it! Rapid, yes; but not instantaneous. Some symptoms precede it; there is lidding in the nasal passages, moistening of the eyes, a feeling of cold at the feet, in the back —oh! this lasts only a short time, only a few seconds, but it is enough to servo as a warning. It is imminent, tho explosion is at hand; there is yet time _to avert it if wo can use some effective means at once. Now, there are many of these.

“Here is one that is pronounced in-fallible-tickling tho soles _ of one’s feet, Quito impracticable in society'! Or even at home unless one has just taken off the shoes and stockings! There is also yawning, which it is easy to bring on _at will. But what would your companion say? That his conversation wearies you; and he would never forgive you. Then, what? Whistle'? Yes; hut everybody would think you ill-bred. Now, here is a noiseless one—puff out your cheeks, as advised recently in tho ‘ Concours Medical ’; shut your mouth, leave only a slight orifice between your lips, andi blow vigorously several limes. The harder you blow the more the wish to sneeze will disappear. This at least is silent, but it is also quite ungraceful. And, then, if it is done while speaking or being spoken to. what opinion will your friends have of you ? Dr de Champoaus adds; ‘ You may’ seem ridiculous at first, but soon all sneezers will imitate you; it will become quite the tiling to blow in society.’ Do you believe him? After all, why not?" Whether tolerated or reproved in good company, these processes succeed, we are assured' But by what mechanism? Remember wiiat sneezing is, say’s Dr Farez. “Preceded by a short premonitory period, it consists of three stages; the lungs are filled with air by a sudden, intake of breath, then tho diaphragm contracts violently, and tho air is suddenly expelled. The lidding provokes in the diaphragm repeated shocks at short intervals, which show themselves in a series of short, dry expirations. When one whistles or blows he also breaks up the expiration into a series of emissions—audible in one case, silent in the other. In yawning there is a single inspirationsoft, slow, and deep—followed by a long expiration. What has been done in these two cases? We have deliberately modified the play of the diaphragm by imposing upon it a sort of discipline. We have replaced by a different rhythm the one that was about to end in a sneeze; it is a process of substitution. “ Ordinarily sneezing has a nasal sensation fou its starting point. For example, dust or gas irritates tho mucuous surface, and as a defensive reflex it proceeds to reject violently these injurious substances. Some noses are abnormally sensitive; tho least sensation of cold, a slight difference of temperature, a passage from shade to sunlight or the reverse—any of these things brings on a sneeze. These nasal sensations are the preliminary stage; if we can suppress them the reflex will have no reason for taking place. Thus, with thumb and finger, compress the sides- of the nose so as to stop it up momentarily —this is perhaps the most effective method. But irritant odors are not always disagreeable. If tho perfumes scattered around hy women of fashion impel us to use tho gesture recommended above, what shall be thought of our bringing up ? We must evidently look elsewhere, “Pinching tho skin violently or thrusting a finger nail into tho palm of one’s Hand have been strongly recommended. How do they act ? Attentive to tho slight pressure, one is in a stale of * expectant attention ’; breathing is suspended and the diaphragm is immobilised. This is, in another form, file substantive process recommended earlier in this article. “ But many other schemes are not bo unpleasant. Hero are some of them: Rub your nose or eyes, recommends Aristotle: others prefer to press upon the eyeball or to compress the two tear ducts simultaneously with thumb and forefinger, or to v*U the jaws vigorously, contract tho muscles of the forehead, eyebrows, and face, press with a finger the upper lip, just below the nose, place the tip of tn* tongue on the upper incisors or the palate, stretch the neck out forcibly, etc.”

One may smile at all this, says the doctor, but the unanswerable reply is that it works! He explains: “ This is because we believe in if, some may say; it is nothing but the fnmouJt ‘ faith healing.’ Not at all, credulity is not enough, we must add, if not conviction, at least active, sustained, concentrated all an Lion; and thus the breath is held, tho diaphragm immobilised, and the position that it must assume for a sneeze is prevented. You may object—- ‘ But these gestures are superfluous; all one needs is to hold the breath for a few seconds.’ This is quite (rue; that is all that these varied plans amount to. We may therefore stop sneezing, nothing is easier: but ought wo to do so? “In the privacy of your own room, have you never given yourself up completely to the impulse to sneeze ? What a delightful impression of well-being! Aristotle writes: ‘lt is very pleasant to sneeze, and the pleasure is felt in all parts of tho body.’ On the? contrary, if tho sneeze does not come off, then you experience a disagreeable sensation—a feeling of ‘ incompleteness,’ as modern psychologists say. “ Here we, have, in a new aspect, the eternal conflict between the preference of tho individual and the safety of the community; for let us not forget that this reflex - has been regarded as a dangerous distributor of microbes.

“ Scientists of repute assure us that the injurious character of the sneeze spray has been greatly exaggerated. This ‘liquid powder’ is no more to be feared than the dry variety, and like the latter it is deposited it! 'ho mucous membranco of the tliroat without proceeding at once to the lung cells, as we have been warned. Even the saliva of an advanced tubercular patient is rarely charged with bacilli, end, if so, there is no danger beyond a yard’s distance. “ In good society, whose rules do not admit of argument, you must cut short your sneeze; but perhaps, engrossed in conversation, you are too late, and the explosion takes place. If so, the rigorisls fell us. we should keep the mouth tight shut, so that, no saliva will be projected. Yes, but what wil Ibecome of it? Not finding the accustomed issue, it will go wherever it can; it will take unaccustomed p?ths. Which? It will attack the Eustachian tube, tho_ middle ear, and the sinus, and gain forcible entrance. You expose yourself to otitis, or sinusitis—to heaven knows what ! “Let us not be unduly persuaded therefore, by those who condemn the sneeze.”