The action of ptyalin is very rapid, and if these drinks are sipped slowly, so as to be thoroughly mixed with saliva, a considerable portion of starch may be changed to sugar before reaching the intestines.
"The-Suffrage-Cook-Book"
Kleber, L. O., Mrs.
A babe's salivary glands, until he be six or seven months old, does not secrete its proper fluid-namely, ptyalin, and consequently the starch of the farinaceous food-and all farinaceous food contains starch-is not converted into dextrine and grape-sugar, and is, therefore, perfectly indigestible and useless-nay, injurious to an infant, and may bring on pain and convulsions, and even death, hence, the giving of farinaceous food, until a child be six or seven months old, is one and the principal cause of the frightful infant mortality at the present time existing in England, and which is a disgrace to any civilized land!
"Advice to a Mother on the Management of her Children"
Pye Henry Chavasse
Digestion starts in the mouth when food is mixed with ptyalin, an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands.
"How and When to Be Your Own Doctor"
Dr. Isabelle A. Moser with Steve Solomon