| 摘要 |
A diagnostic device and method of utilizing the device to diagnose abnormal taste acuity in humans is presented. The device comprises a compact kit having a plurality of bottles with solutions therein useful to test patients according to a forced choice-three stimulus drop technique, two drops being water and the third an unknown stimulus, to determine taste detection and recognition acuity, a forced scale of subjective response to different concentrations of taste stimuli and to screen for genetic defects. Each bottle is numbered and arranged in a sequential array, labeled from normal to abnormal taste acuity through each of the four taste characteristics. The inside cover of the lid has a detailed key to the array containing the concentration and sequence for utilizing each container. The key and the array is visible, during testing, only to the person administering the test. A newly diagnosed disease, idiopathic hypogeusia is also described together with its symptoms and a method of treating the disease by administration of a therapeutic amount of zinc ion orally. |
