Ever increasing speeds of aerial ascent and descent have recently drawn attention to the effect of changes in barometric pressure on the nasal accessory sinuses. Although it has been known since the advent of aircraft that an effect occurs, the literature of the world is strangely devoid of an adequate description of it. Changes of considerable degree in barometric pressure are produced in several ways. Airplanes now climb faster than 5,000 vertical feet (1,520 meters) per minute. They dive at velocities in excess of 40,000 feet (12,200 meters) per minute. During delayed parachute jumps, the maximum rate of fall may reach 10,000 feet (3,050 meters) per minute before the parachute is opened. The elevators of some of our taller buildings ascend and descend at rates up to 1,000 feet (305 meters) per minute. Airliners ascend and descend about 400 feet (122 meters) per minute. Weather experts say that in the