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A brief history of olfaction and olfactometry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2008

C M Philpott ,
A Bennett  and
G E Murty
C M Philpott*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Essex County Hospital, Colchester, UK
A Bennett
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Ipswich Hospital, UK
G E Murty
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Carl M Philpott, The Cottage, Middlewood Green, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 5EZ, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The sense of smell has been a cause for speculation and fascination over the centuries. An appreciation of odours has been deeply rooted in many cultures, including ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians. The level of understanding of the anatomy and physiology of olfaction which our ancestors had was slight, and much remains to be discovered. This paper explores the progression of knowledge over the years to the present day. Particular emphasis is placed on odour classification and olfactometry, and on the techniques whereby great scientific minds have sought to quantify that human sense which is arguably least quantifiable. A review of some of the current methods of olfactometry is included within this remit.

Keywords

SmellSpecial Senses DisordersHistory
Type
Review Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 7 , July 2008 , pp. 657 - 662
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2008

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Footnotes

Presented at the History of ENT section of the British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology, 5–7 July 2006, Birmingham ICC, Birmingham, UK.

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