Sternutatio (sneeze) is a poorly understood polysynaptic physiologic
reflex phenomenon; even less understood are some variations of the reflex such
as the photic sneeze (photo-sternutatory reflex), sneezing induced by bright
light, sneezing induced by overeating, sneezing induced by plucking of the
eyebrows (palpebro-sternutatory reflex) and paroxysmal sneezing, episodes of
intractable sneezing. The present contribution reviews various aspects of the
patho-physiology of sneezing, its relationship to singultus (hiccup) and the mechanism of action of various remedia sternutatoria (sneeze inducing agents). The manuscript deals with the history of a previously largely ignored
condition and with the people involved in the matter: biographical aspects of
little known clinicians and researchers such as Jean Sedan, Harry Shilkret, and
Mo Shokeir are presented.
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