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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
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.

[Fif.10 1936 says that, under modern conditions of mining, the black spit is most common among the older men.]

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