Role of Odors in Asthma

ered as a symptom rather than a disease entity. Such a point of view emphasizes the varied ctiologic factors and the need for varied ap-proaches to a clarification of its causes. The most thoroughly investigated etiologic factor has been that of hypersensitivity which has been demonstrated, experimentally, as well as clinically, in humans and animals.11 ' "•19 There are individuals with asthma, how-ever, in whom no specific sensitivity to extrin-sic factors can be demonstrated. Others in whom skin sensitivity exists do not always have symptoms when the test substances are inhaled, and at times symptoms may be pres-ent without exposure to the sensitizing sub-stances. Considerable evidence has been accumu-lated suggesting that psychological factors arc of importance in the production and develop-ment of asthma. The relationship of emotional factors to asthma has been reviewed by au-thors such as Wittkower, Dunbar, French et al., and more recently by Leigh. Much of the recent emphasis on the psychological genesis of asthma has been concerned with the view that the significant psychodynamic process in the asthmatic patient is the uncon-scious fear of the loss of the mother, and tha