THE CHRONIC vasomotor nose is seen at least as commonly in rhinoplasty patients as in general otolaryngological practice. It involves the soft tissues about the nose as well as the intranasal membranes. Control of the vasomotor factor before surgery is advisable to minimize the amount of bleeding during the procedure and the degree of the postoperative reaction. Although the vasomotor changes are usually of psychosomatic origin, the usual sedation before surgery does not suffice to control the vasomotor symptoms. These symptoms are the result of autonomic nervous system imbalance. More definitive therapy consists of a trial of various antihistamines to determine which affords the most symptomatic relief. The optimum antihistamine prevents the autonomic imbalance from effecting the changes in the blood vessel tone and the secretory activity of the mucous and serous glands. The antihistamines are so specific that even isomers will vary greatly in effect in a particular patient.