Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BLACK-SPIT, —SPITTLE, n. (See quots.)Sc. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 I. 570–571:
The collier population is subject to a peculiar disease which is vulgarly called the black-spit, and by the faculty is dignified with the Greek term melanosis. It is a wasting of the lungs occasioned, as is supposed, by the inhaling of the coal-dust while working, and the expectoration is as black as the coal itself.Hdg. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 II. 345:
The black spittle — This disease is of a very peculiar character, and often proves the cause of premature death to not a few of the miners employed in the coal-works in this district.
