Teacher licked students' wounds

Herald Sun ^ | Aug. 06, 2005 | Herald Sun

[Frapster]

Licking a wound seems instinctive to man and beast and for good reason. It is well known that saliva contains the antimicrobial substances thiocyanate and lysozyme. Lysozyme is a mucopolysaccharidase that dissolves the cell walls of gram negative bacteria.

Nigel Benjamin at the St. Bartholomew's and Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry has demonstrated that saliva also contains significant levels of nitrite which can be converted to nitric oxide, a powerful antimicrobial agent. Benjamin enlisted the aid of 14 healthy subjects asking them to lick "all over" their hands and then he measured the synthesis of nitric oxide on their skin. Nitric oxide levels increased sharply suggesting that "nitric oxide derived from salivary nitrite applied to the skin contributes to the antimicrobial effects of wound licking." The enzymes necessary to convert salivary nitrite to nitric oxide may be in the saliva as well.

A quick google found this... lol

[konaice]

When you cut yoursself while outside or whatever and the sucker is bleeding and stings like heck, it just sometimes happens.

You are unlikely to get/give a blood born disease from/to your self.

Sorry to point out the obvious.

[Lockbar]

There is obviously some weird PSYCO-sexual aspect to this coach's behavior that is not being explored.

[ExpatGator]

Whatta Homo! Or should that be: Whatta Hemo?

[Mark was here]

I heard that a dog will clean a wound by licking it, that there were things in the saliva that would sterilize the wound and promote healing.

I know people are different than dogs, but this sure seems like a pretty neat deal for the dog. I wonder if humans at one time had a similar ability, or if other animals share this trait.

[ndt]

"There is obviously some weird PSYCO-sexual aspect to this coach's behavior that is not being explored."

I don't know if this is the same story I read a while ago (more than a month and memory is foggy) but as I recall in that case, it was the result of a joking promise of sorts. I can't recall the specifics, but something like the coach said "give it your all and if you get hurt I'll lick your wounds".

Anyway, grossness factor aside, It sounded more like a bar bet gone bad than a perv getting his kicks.

[Shawndell Green]

Of course it does. I have licked my own cuts lots of times and never had one become infected because of it either.

[Shawndell Green]

Don't tell ClaudiusI or newzjunkey about this, since they are certain that their own saliva is deadly!

Licking a wound seems instinctive to man and beast and for good reason. It is well known that saliva contains the antimicrobial substances thiocyanate and lysozyme. Lysozyme is a mucopolysaccharidase that dissolves the cell walls of gram negative bacteria.
Nigel Benjamin at the St. Bartholomew's and Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry has demonstrated that saliva also contains significant levels of nitrite which can be converted to nitric oxide, a powerful antimicrobial agent. Benjamin enlisted the aid of 14 healthy subjects asking them to lick "all over" their hands and then he measured the synthesis of nitric oxide on their skin. Nitric oxide levels increased sharply suggesting that "nitric oxide derived from salivary nitrite applied to the skin contributes to the antimicrobial effects of wound licking." The enzymes necessary to convert salivary nitrite to nitric oxide may be in the saliva as well.

[staytrue]

I noticed dogs did this. Then I decided to do it on a scratch I got. I only licked 1/2 to see what would happen.

The half I licked healed in about 1/2 the time of the the unlicked portion.

I think this is ok to do. IMHO.

[kimosabe31]

Is he some kind of queer??

[TexasTransplant]

>>>" You are unlikely to get/give a blood born disease from/to your self"<<<

That is what I was thinking, probably more likely to catch something from licking your hand, especially if you work in a Hospital or in the Health care Services, or maybe not quite as bad if you were a Septic Tank Service Technician.

Donning my flameproof suit, OK GO!

[TexasTransplant]

Saltwater (as in the Ocean) is also good for the wound, now common sense would instruct you to do this in shallow water as to not attract those in Natures Food Chain that might find "O" Positive the equivalent of the dinner bell.

TT

[patriot_wes]

"We lick our OWN wounds when cut. Why do you suppose we do that?"

Maybe down there in Atlanta you do!

[bluefish]

Most of us understood you. Don't let the blowhard, pretend-to know-it-all types who are constantly spoiling for a keyboard fight bother you.

[neverhome]

We lick our OWN wounds when cut. Why do you suppose we do that?

WE?!.....
I use peroxide followed by cool water. Then apply whatever sort of dressing the wound requires.

Perhaps this coach studied 1st aid at Neverland Ranch?

[neverhome]

Nitric oxide levels increased sharply suggesting that "nitric oxide derived from salivary nitrite applied to the skin contributes to the antimicrobial effects of wound licking."

So... Monica wuz actually just helping Slick Willie cure a case of jock itch???

[isom35]

maybe he's gay?

[scott7278]

We lick our OWN wounds when cut. Why do you suppose we do that?

We do? Why doesn't anybody tell me these things!!!

[Frapster]

ewwww... I didn't need that vision first thing in the AM. lol

[Michael81Dus]

Actually cake is right. Spit has antiseptic substances. If adequate antiseptics aren´t available, use your spit on smaller wounds. However, it is unbelievable that this teacher licked the wounds of students. You can lick your own wounds (because you can´t infect yourself by using your own spit), maybe a Mom can do so with a small scratch of her little child, but a teacher? NEVER!