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Spitting is the act of forcibly ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth. It is currently considered rude and a social taboo in many parts of the world including the West, while in some other parts of the world it is considered more socially acceptable. It is commonly believed that it is possible to transmit infectious diseases in this way, including tuberculosis, influenza, and the common cold but the epidemiological evidence that this is the case is not present and it is likely that this belief, although intuitive, is not reflective of meaningful risk. Spitting upon another person, especially onto the face, is a universal sign of anger, hatred, disrespect or contempt. It can represent a "symbolical regurgitation" or an act of intentional contamination. In some Eastern cultures, it is believed that spitting in public is bad luck, because one may unknowingly spit on invisible spirits who take this as an act of great disrespect and will then curse the spitter. Spitting of saliva or of the red coloured 'paan' witnessed in some parts of rural India is also believed to be a major health hazard as it is commonly believed to transmit airborne diseases like tuberculosis, and is hence frowned upon. ==In the Western world== Social attitudes towards spitting have changed greatly in Western Europe since the Middle Ages. Then, frequent spitting was part of everyday life, and at all levels of society it was thought ill-mannered to suck back saliva to avoid spitting. By the early 1700s, spitting had become seen as something which should be concealed, and by 1859 many viewed spitting on the floor or street as vulgar, especially in mixed company. Spittoons were used openly during the 19th century to provide an acceptable outlet for spitters. Spittoons became far less common after the influenza epidemic of 1918, and their use has since virtually disappeared, though each justice of the Supreme Court of the United States continues to be provided with a personal cuspidor. In the first half of the 20th century the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, the precursor to the American Lung Association, and state affiliates had educational campaigns against spitting to reduce the chance of spreading tuberculosis. After wine tasting, the wine is spit into a 'spit bucket' or spittoon. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「spitting」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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