The bizarre cultural history of saliva

The evolving perceptions of spit, from curative agent to expression of disdain. The mystical powers of saliva have been well documented throughout history. Pliny the Elder praised its ability to repel serpents and in the bible, Jesus restored a blind man’s sight by spitting on his eyes. However, until now, the healing principles of this oral secretion have remained elusive to biomedical science. Frank Gonzalez-Crussi, Professor Emeritus in the Pathology Department of Northwestern University Medical School and author of “The Body Fantastic” explores our complicated history with saliva and reveals its powerful properties.