Abstract
THE relative inhibition of cortical brain functions and the progress of uncritical activities, such as imagery, during the initial and terminal phases of sleep (cf. NATURE, Aug. 7, Sept. 11, and Oct. 30, 1926), may find a parallel in certain cases of visual imagery induced by odours. The following illustration may be of interest. A small bottle containing methyl salicylate was associated consciously and deliberately with a number of circumstances in which some experiments had been carried out three or four years ago. On withdrawal of the stopper, the odour induced a visual image of a medical practitioner in a bedroom, merging into the image of a table with a tumbler of water and a spoon. Afterwards, the image, or images, were found to be as blended as the content of a dream, since the room, the doctor, and the table, had to be referred to widely separated times and places. Litera odorata manet.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KENNETH, J. Odours and Visual Imagery. Nature 119, 818 (1927). https://doi.org/10.1038/119818a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/119818a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.