Wishing well
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A wishing well is a well, or other water feature such as a fountain or spring, into which people throw coins or small objects and make a wish. In Europe, versions of the practice date back at least to
Fleetwood Round Table wishing well, The Esplanade, Fleetwood, Lancashire, England
Wooden wishing well
A small ornamental garden wishing well, with wishing coins
The Trevi Fountain in Rome, an exceptionally popular wishing fountain
Oligodynamic effect
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The oligodynamic effect is a biocidal effect of metals, especially heavy metals, that occurs even in low concentrations. This effect is attributed to the antibacterial behavior of metal ions, which ar
Wishing well
…as representing the "spoiled garments" which the child gives to the mother alongside his feces. Some have proposed that the custom is related to the oligodynamic effect, whereby certain metals inhibit bacterial growth. This view suggests that copper and silver coins were thrown into wells to help make the water safe…
Silver spoons self-sanitize due to the oligodynamic effect