From ToxicTidbits a monthly publication of Maryland Poison Control Center, University of Maryland.
You are standing near a sewer line and smell rotten eggs. You are helping to resuscitate a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest and smell bitter almonds.
What is that odor?
Volatilized chemicals that humans and animals perceive by the sense of smell (olfaction) cause odors. Some odors are pleasant while others are unpleasant or even repulsive. An odor can serve as a warning of potential danger. In medicine, recognizing odors is an important skill. It can aid in rapid diagnosis, guide laboratory evaluation and may allow for early treatment before the development of more serious clinical signs … READ THE ARTICLE.