fasting spittle
English edit
Noun edit
- Saliva produced first thing in the morning, before breakfast, once believed to be useful in treating diseases.
- 1891 July, Fanny D. Bergen, “Animal and Plant Lore”, in Popular Science, page 377:
- Dr. Buck reports that the Swabians also believe in the efficacy of fasting spittle for sore eyes; and our never-failing Pliny records the Roman belief that ophthalmia may be cured by anointing the eyes every morning with fasting spittle.