Spitting images: our medical philologist, Jeff Aronson, comments

While we are on the subject of "ptysis" we should not forget
"melanoptysis", defined in 'Crofton & Douglas' as "treacly black
sputum resulting from expectoration of the contents of necrotic massive
fibrosis of coalminers". This must be quite uncommon nowadays, as it has
been replaced by "capnoptysis", the usual coloured product of a smoker's
morning cough (from the Greek "capnos"= smoke, tobacco). Now, this is
another handy neologism for our history-taking.

Reference:
Seaton A, Seaton D & Leitch AG. Crofton & Douglas's Respiratory
Diseases. 4th Ed., Blackwell, Oxford 1989, p. 107.

Competing interests:
None declared