The nose as an indicating organ of vegetative controlling mechanisms

Long-term examinations on test persons of an average age of 28 years were carried out by means of thermistors for measuring the mucous membrane temperature and by means of photo transistors for measuring the state of cavernous tissues. The tactile stimulus during the insertion of the probe regularly leads to a temperature increase and a swelling of the nasal mucous membrane. Pronounced changes in the temperature do not take a linear course but are interrupted by intercurrent temperature inversions. The changes in the state of cavernous tissues take a course synchronous to this. After the first tactile stimulus there adjusts a preliminary temperature equilibrium in the mucous membrane temperature and in the cavernous state. Then there follow temperature oscillations taking a completely different course, of changing amplitudes and frequencies. These temperature oscillations may take courses in the same or in opposite directions in the two nose halves. The causes proposed for discussion, on the one hand for the intercurrent temperature inversions in case of considerable temperature changes, and on the other hand for the differing temperature oscillations after the attainment of the preliminary temperature equilibrium, are central regulating mechanisms, while at the same time analogous animal experiments are taken into consideration.