Linda Geddes’ article on the body’s vagus nerve reminded Prof Jack Price of a strange – but inadvisable – tactic to exploit it
I very much enjoyed Linda Geddes’ article on the vagus nerve (The key to depression, obesity, alcoholism – and more? Why the vagus nerve is so exciting to scientists, 23 August). It is, as she says, a nerve of marvellously diverse function, as we’ve known for some time. The auricular branch of the vagus, which, as Geddes notes, innervates the ear, used to be known as the alderman’s nerve. Apparently, civic officials, overstuffed at state banquets yet still desiring dessert, were known to squirt cold water into an ear in the hope of stimulating gastric emptying, and making space for more.
In my day, junior doctors were warned against syringing the ears of elderly patients with cold water for fear of stopping their hearts. But now a digital device attaches to your ear rather than cold water. Progress indeed.
Prof Jack Price
London
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