Originally posted by Kazenji
Or maybe people have just gotten used to the smell after a while.
I know I'm adding a realistic argument to a fictional scenario but your senses naturally react to foul odours as a defence mechanism to stay away from it.
You simply don't get used to a dangerous fumes from a rotting body.
I mean, even morticians and coroners use balms to cover the scent of the dead because it can become overwhelming for them. Being used to the general stench wouldn't allow people to overcome fumes that are actually toxic/noxious from rotting flesh. I don't think that's something that's even really mentioned well in most novels.