1892 The flowing bowl when and what to drink (1892, c1891)

mtfr Diet.

WE perceive all the impressions that are caused by our surroundings through the medium of our senses; we enjoy nature and its products by these senses and only by these, each of them being equally valuable. " It is to be especially noted, first, that each nerve of sense is only capable of performing the function de- signed for it. The nerve of sight does not enable us to hear, and the nerve of smell only enables us to appre- ciate odors; second, cultivation of the senses, especially if begun in early life, will develop their usefulness; it is true that such training may be carried to the extent of making them a source of misery. Certain persons are painfully conscious of the slightest discord; others al- most instantaneously detect, with a feeling of disgust, the inharmonious blending of tints which, to the aver- age person, is a harmonious one; others, still, are made uncomfortable by an odor which is perceptible to none but themselves. " Cultivation furnishes the accurate hearing of the educated musician, the keen eyesight of the reliable pilot, engineer, and expert microscopist, and the ac- curate touch of the blind." If, now, the senses of sight, touch, and hearing may be trained to the blessing of mankind, why should not the same be done with the senses of taste and smell ?