THE EVILS OF SMELLING SALTS AND FLOWERS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue XX, 11 November 1899, Page 893

THE EVILS OF SMELLING SALTS AND FLOWERS.

Many women will be surprised to learn that the prevalence of deafness among themselves has been ascribed to the over-use of strong smelling salts. A doctor who sought for the cause of deafness in a fashionable woman discovered that during an illness of six weeks, when the patient seemed to be kept up entirely by constantly burying her nose in her vinaigrette, which was kept freshly and strongly filled, that, the hearing of one ear became more and more defective. He became convineed that this abuse of strong salts was the root of the evil, but unfortunately the mischief was done, and the deafness remained permanent. Another well authenticated case revealed the cause of deafness to be due to an inhalation of ether, and it has now been discovered that the constant smelling of freshly cut flowers and in a less degree of extracts and artificial perfumes has a pronounced and immediate effect upon the voice.

It is said that Patti declares a sachet of iris powder has weakened her Voice for a tpme, and another great singer was hoarse for days if she smelt violets or lilacs. A great, artist engaged to sing at. an “At Home” complained that, she lost her voice by smelling at a large bouquet of flowers that had been presented to her. The delicate perfume of the violet seems to be the most serious of all, and after that come the tuberose, mimosa, lilac and hyacinth. This has become w> well recognised that the Continental directors of operas forbid the presence of bouquets in the dressingrooms.