Ah, methanethiol ... now, that takes me back.

Perhaps this should be part of the thread initiated by today’s column, viz.:
Is there more flatulence in a vegetarian diet?

But this is way off-topic, so what the hey.

As I recall, the mercaptan methanethiol and its many close relatives are major constituents of
skunk spray.

And I also recall an incredibly funny (and purportedly true) story by Ken Kesey in which this knowledge kept him from being brained by a resident in the mental hospital at which he was working.

I did a quick Google search, and came up dry. Anyone else remember the same anecdote?