AN ENGINEER from one of the tobacco companies asked me if it would be feasible to use the ciliary action within the nose as an index of the toxicity of cigarette smoke. (It is now well documented that cigarette smoke has a ciliostatic effect.)1-3 I encouraged the idea but suggested some difficulties that might be encountered.
Later, thinking that I might have been somewhat hasty in my encouragement, it seemed to me that I ought to try the experiment on a few smokers myself. Ten tests were made upon eight volunteers. So many difficulties were encountered that I think the test, although possible and simple to perform, is hardly practicable.
It is pertinent to recall that without shrinkage only the anterior portion of the nasal mucosa can be visualized and much of that in view is nonciliated.
Technique
India ink was used as an indicator. By means of a