To protect against the fear of magic, spittle was always covered and all remnants of meals were carefully disposed of to prevent enemies from using them in detrimental magic rites. [1] The ancients believed fire to be sacred, refusing to spit into it or treat it disrespectfully. [2] Spitting on a person was a powerful fetish used to drive out devils. [3] Modern man no longer attempts openly to coerce the spirits, but still follows expectoration with some trite phrase, once a magical formula. [4]
Handshaking replaced saliva exchange and blood drinking as the seal of personal friendship and token of group loyalty, but primitive peoples often reverted to their former unhealthy practices. [5]
Belief in the efficacy of spittle as a healing agent is illustrated by the superstitions of these times. [6] Jesus spoke, then mixed spittle with clay, creating sight for the blind man. [7]
Jesus was spat upon and mistreated by the temple guards and servants of the high priest for one full hour before being scourged by the guards in an unjust procedure. [8]