ptyalism

American  

[tahy-uh-liz-uhm] / ˈtaɪ əˌlɪz əm /

noun

Pathology.

1. excessive secretion of saliva.

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ptyalism British  

/ ˈtaɪəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. excessive secretion of saliva

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Etymology

Origin of ptyalism

1675–85; < Greek ptyalismós expectoration, equivalent to ptýal ( on ) spittle + -ismos -ism

Example Sentences

When I resorted to it, I generally did so in doses sufficient to ensure a purgative effect, and never with a view of exciting ptyalism.

From North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826 by Bache, Franklin

Still uneasy about ptyalism, he gave her cream of tartar all day, but at night it was thrown up as before, without moving the bowels.

From The History of the Medical Department of Transylvania University by Peter, Robert

Marsden reports a case in which, following secondary papular syphilis and profuse spontaneous ptyalism, there was vicarious secretion of the urinary constituents from the skin.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

For instance, amongst many others, he found in the publications of Beddoes, Scott, Blair, and various writers, that nitric acid, which was known to produce ptyalism, relieved salivation and ulceration in the mouth.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)

Drastic purgatives, ... the shower bath, large and frequent doses of tartarized antimony, and mercury to the extent of producing ptyalism, were the most popular remedial agents in the treatment of insanity.

From Chapters in the History of the Insane in the British Isles by Tuke, Daniel Hack