As I was pouring a glass of ice-cold water, it occurred to me how unpleasant a dousing with cold water is. Yet if I pour iced water into my mouth and swallow, it鈥檚 fine, even pleasurable. Why do the warm, protected surfaces of the mouth and throat not protest just as vigorously when exposed to such a temperature shock? Are we just accustomed to it or is there some physiological reason?
Barry Storr, London, UK
