"Looking against the Sunne, doth induce Sneezing. The Cause is, not the
Heating of the Nosthrils; For then the Holding up of the Nostrills
against the Sunne, though one Winke, would doe it; But the Drawing downe
of the Moisture of the Braine. For it will make the Eyes run with Water;
And the Drawing of Moisture to the Eyes, doth draw it to the Nosthrills,
by Motion of Consent; And so followeth Sneezing; As contrariwise, the
Tickling of the Nostrills within, doth draw the Moisture to the
Nosthrills, and to the Eyes by Consent; For they also will Water. But
yet, it hath been observed, that if one be about to Sneeze, the Rubbing
of the Eyes, till they run with Water, will prevent it. Whereof the
Cause is, for that the Humour, which was descending to the Nostrills, is
diverted to the Eyes."
-- Francis Bacon
Apparently our knowledge of the photic sneeze reflex hasn't advanced
much since then...
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Thu Jul 27 2000 - 14:13:48 MDT