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34-556: The early Celtic era European adder stone is also called a snake stone, and is usually made from coloured glass, often with holes. Its purpose is for protection against evil spirits rather than snake bite. The World Health Organization states that it has no effect on snake-bites, bearing in mind that most snake-bites are from non-venomous snakes. They state that traditional medicines and other treatments such as wound incision or excision, suction, or application of "black stones" should be avoided. Accounts differ widely on how to make and use

68-402: A 'black stone'. In Peru, a black stone is a small charred cow bone "applied to the site of a poisonous snakebite and tied firmly in place. It is left there for several days, during which time it supposedly draws the venom from the wound." 13th century Persian/Iranian writer Kazwini describes the snake-stone in his work Aja'ib al-Makhluqat as being the size of a small nut.The quote about how

102-416: A bad, metallic taste at all times). A rare condition identified to affect taste is that of 'Saliva Hypernatrium' , or excessive amounts of sodium in saliva that is not caused by any other condition (e.g., Sjögren syndrome ), causing everything to taste 'salty'. The production of saliva is stimulated both by the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic . Sympathetic stimulation of saliva

136-470: A certain age of the moon . I have seen that egg as large and as round as a common sized apple , in a chequered cartilaginous cover, and worn by the Druids. It is wonderfully extolled for gaining lawsuits, and access to kings. It is a badge which is worn with such ostentation, that I knew a Roman knight , a Vocontian, who was slain by the stupid emperor Claudius , merely because he wore it in his breast when

170-407: A large role in fat digestion in newborn infants as their pancreatic lipase still needs some time to develop. Saliva is very important in the sense of taste . It is the liquid medium in which chemicals are carried to taste receptor cells (mostly associated with lingual papillae ). People with little saliva often complain of dysgeusia (i.e. disordered taste, e.g. reduced ability to taste, or having

204-541: A lawsuit was pending. The Glain Neidr or Maen Magi of Welsh folklore is also closely connected to Druidism . The Glain Neidr of Wales are believed to be created by a congress of snakes, normally occurring in spring, but most auspicious on May Eve. Although not named as Glain Neidr, magic stones with the properties of adder stones appear frequently in Welsh mythology and folklore. The Mabinogion , translated into English in

238-420: Is a health hazard to the public. Many birds in the swift family, Apodidae, produce a viscous saliva during nesting season to glue together materials to construct a nest. Two species of swifts in the genus Aerodramus build their nests using only their saliva , the base for bird's nest soup . A common belief is that saliva contained in the mouth has natural disinfectants , which leads people to believe it

272-409: Is an extracellular fluid produced and secreted by salivary glands in the mouth . In humans , saliva is around 99% water , plus electrolytes , mucus , white blood cells , epithelial cells (from which DNA can be extracted), enzymes (such as lipase and amylase ), and antimicrobial agents (such as secretory IgA , and lysozymes ). The enzymes found in saliva are essential in beginning

306-599: Is an aerodramus nest. Venomous saliva injected by fangs is used by cobras, vipers, and certain other members of the venom clade to hunt. Some caterpillars use modified salivary glands to store silk proteins, which they then use to make silk fiber. Produced in salivary glands , human saliva comprises 99.5% water, but also contains many important substances, including electrolytes , mucus , antibacterial compounds and various enzymes . Medically, constituents of saliva can noninvasively provide important diagnostic information related to oral and systemic diseases. Experts debate

340-601: Is beneficial to " lick their wounds ". Researchers at the University of Florida at Gainesville have discovered a protein called nerve growth factor (NGF) in the saliva of mice . Wounds doused with NGF healed twice as fast as untreated and unlicked wounds; therefore, saliva can help to heal wounds in some species. NGF has been found in human saliva, as well as antibacterial agents as secretory mucin , IgA , lactoferrin , lysozyme and peroxidase . It has not been shown that human licking of wounds disinfects them, but licking

374-436: Is called "the serpent's egg". The druids say that it is tossed in the air with hissings and must be caught in a cloak before it touches the earth. The person who thus intercepts it, flies on horseback ; for the serpents will pursue him until prevented by intervening water. This egg, though bound in gold will swim against the stream. And the magi are cunning to conceal their frauds, they give out that this egg must be obtained at

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408-402: Is likely to help clean the wound by removing larger contaminants such as dirt and may help to directly remove infective bodies by brushing them away. Therefore, licking would be a way of wiping off pathogens, useful if clean water is not available to the animal or person. In Pavlov's experiment, dogs were conditioned to salivate in response to a ringing bell; this stimulus is associated with

442-435: Is more socially acceptable (even if officially disapproved of or illegal), and spittoons are still a common appearance in some cultures. Some animals, even humans in some cases, use spitting as an automatic defensive maneuver. Camels are well known for doing this, though most domestic camels are trained not to. Spitting by an infected person (for example, one with SARS-CoV-2 ) whose saliva contains large amounts of virus ,

476-455: Is to facilitate respiration , whereas parasympathetic stimulation is to facilitate digestion . Parasympathetic stimulation leads to acetylcholine (ACh) release onto the salivary acinar cells. ACh binds to muscarinic receptors , specifically M 3 , and causes an increased intracellular calcium ion concentration (through the IP 3 /DAG second messenger system). Increased calcium causes vesicles within

510-418: The oral mucosa mechanically protecting it from trauma during eating, swallowing, and speaking. Mouth soreness is very common in people with reduced saliva ( xerostomia ) and food (especially dry food) sticks to the inside of the mouth. The digestive functions of saliva include moistening food and helping to create a food bolus . The lubricative function of saliva allows the food bolus to be passed easily from

544-552: The BS" (black stone). An Indian study stated: "unscientific methods like 'black stone' healing contribute to the delay in seeking appropriate medical care." Adder stone An adder stone is a type of stone, usually glassy, with a naturally occurring hole through it. Such stones, which usually consist of flint , have been discovered by archaeologists in both Britain and Egypt . Commonly, they are found in Northern Germany at

578-478: The Fountain (Ywain of Arthurian legend), the hero Owain mab Urien is trapped in the gatehouse of a castle. He is given a stone by a maiden, which turns Owain invisible, allowing him to escape capture. In Russian folklore, adder stones were believed to be the abodes of spirits called Kurinyi Bog ("The Chicken God"). Kurinyi Bog were the guardians of chickens, and their stones were placed into farmyards to counteract

612-427: The amount of saliva that a healthy person produces. Production is estimated at 1500ml per day and researchers generally accept that during sleep the amount drops significantly. In humans, the submandibular gland contributes around 70 to 75% of secretions, while the parotid gland secretes about 20 to 25%; small amounts are secreted from the other salivary glands. Saliva contributes to the digestion of food and to

646-405: The cells to fuse with the apical cell membrane leading to secretion. ACh also causes the salivary gland to release kallikrein , an enzyme that converts kininogen to lysyl-bradykinin . Lysyl-bradykinin acts upon blood vessels and capillaries of the salivary gland to generate vasodilation and increased capillary permeability , respectively. The resulting increased blood flow to the acini allows

680-618: The coasts of the North and Baltic Seas. In Britain they are also called hag stones , witch stones , serpent's eggs , snake's eggs , or Glain Neidr in Wales , milpreve in Cornwall , adderstanes in the south of Scotland and Gloine nan Druidh ("Druids' glass" in Scottish Gaelic ) in the north. In Germany they are called Hühnergötter ("chicken gods"). Various traditions exist as to

714-530: The cure goes is as follows "An injury inflicted by a venomous creature is to be immersed in warm water or sour milk. The snake-stone is then dropped into the liquid to supposedly draw out the poison." Although called a 'stone' in the Congo, a black stone is often made from animal bones. When taken from snakes, it is usually from the head, but also said to be extracted from the tail. The steps suggested in an African leaflet are: A Nigerian study recommended "education on

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748-461: The end of his life. The curse compels anyone who has lived in Hastings to always return, no matter how far away they move, or for how long. The curse can only be broken by taking a stone with a hole running through it from Hastings beach. This article incorporates text from Dwelly's [Scottish] Gaelic Dictionary (1911) . (Gloine) Saliva Saliva (commonly referred to as spit or drool )

782-423: The maintenance of oral hygiene. Without normal salivary function the frequency of dental caries , gum disease ( gingivitis and periodontitis ), and other oral problems increases significantly. Saliva limits the growth of bacterial pathogens and is a major factor in sustaining systemic and oral health through the prevention of tooth decay and the removal of sugars and other food sources for microbes. Saliva coats

816-643: The mid-nineteenth century by Lady Charlotte Guest , mentions such stones on two occasions. In the story of Peredur son of Efrawg ( Percival of the Arthurian cycle ), in a departure from Chrétien de Troyes ' Perceval, the Story of the Grail , Peredur is given a magical stone that allows him to see and kill an invisible creature called the Addanc . In another tale, Owain, or the Lady of

850-422: The mouth into the esophagus. Saliva contains the enzyme amylase, also called ptyalin, which is capable of breaking down starch into simpler sugars such as maltose and dextrin that can be further broken down in the small intestine. About 30% of starch digestion takes place in the mouth cavity. Salivary glands also secrete salivary lipase (a more potent form of lipase) to begin fat digestion. Salivary lipase plays

884-661: The need to avoid the use of popular first aid measures of doubtful benefit." The same doctors later reported that black stones may be beneficial, but "those who used the black stone required significantly higher quantity of antivenom as compared to those that used the tourniquet". In their report they noted slightly higher tissue necrosis in patients who use tourniquets, but this was not (statistically) significant; other scientists have recommended against tourniquets (see treatment of snakebites and outdated treatments ). A Bolivian medical study stated: "contrary to widespread belief, no efficacy to treat envenomation may be expected of

918-421: The oral cavity. Sympathetic stimulation results in the release of norepinephrine . Norepinephrine binding to α-adrenergic receptors will cause an increase in intracellular calcium levels leading to more fluid vs. protein secretion. If norepinephrine binds β-adrenergic receptors, it will result in more protein or enzyme secretion vs. fluid secretion. Stimulation by norepinephrine initially decreases blood flow to

952-472: The origins of adder stones. One holds that the stones are the hardened saliva of large numbers of serpents massing together, the perforations being caused by their tongues. There are other claims that an adder stone comes from the head of a serpent or is made by the sting of an adder . The more modern and perhaps easier to attain artefact would be any rock with a hole bored through the middle by water. Human intervention (i.e., direction of water or placement of

986-528: The possible evil effects of the Kikimora (The wives of the Domovoi, the house spirits .) Kikimora, who also guarded and took care of chickens, could often unleash misery upon hens they did not like by plucking out their feathers. In the seaside town Hastings there is a local legend that the town is under an enchantment known as Crowley's Curse, said to have been conjured by Aleister Crowley who lived in Hastings at

1020-537: The process of digestion of dietary starches and fats. These enzymes also play a role in breaking down food particles entrapped within dental crevices, thus protecting teeth from bacterial decay. Saliva also performs a lubricating function, wetting food and permitting the initiation of swallowing , and protecting the oral mucosa from drying out . Saliva has specialized purposes for a variety of animal species beyond predigestion. Certain swifts construct nests with their sticky saliva. The foundation of bird's nest soup

1054-452: The production of more saliva. In addition, Substance P can bind to Tachykinin NK-1 receptors leading to increased intracellular calcium concentrations and subsequently increased saliva secretion. Lastly, both parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous stimulation can lead to myoepithelium contraction which causes the expulsion of secretions from the secretory acinus into the ducts and eventually to

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1088-399: The salivary glands due to constriction of blood vessels but this effect is overtaken by vasodilation caused by various local vasodilators. Saliva production may also be pharmacologically stimulated by the so-called sialagogues . It can also be suppressed by the so-called antisialagogues . Spitting is the act of forcibly ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth. In many parts of

1122-700: The stone) is not allowed. According to Ancient Roman natural philosopher Pliny ’s Natural History , book XXIX, adder stone was held in high esteem amongst the Druids . Pliny described rituals the druids allegedly conducted to acquire the stone, and the magical properties they ascribed to it. He wrote: There is a sort of egg in great repute among the Gauls , of which the Greek writers have made no mention. A vast number of serpents are twisted together in summer, and coiled up in an artificial knot by their saliva and slime; and this

1156-457: The world, it is considered rude and a social taboo , and has sometimes been outlawed. In some countries, for example, it has been outlawed for reasons of public decency and attempting to reduce the spread of disease. These laws may not strictly enforced, but in Singapore , the fine for spitting may be as high as SGD$ 2,000 for multiple offenses, and one can even be arrested. In China , expectoration

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