Sword Swallowing And Its Side Effects

Just when you thought it couldn't get any stranger in the latest issue of the British Medical National Enquirer, er, Journal:

Sword swallowers more likely to be injured when distracted or swallowing "unusual" swords

Sword swallowers are more likely to sustain an injury--such as a perforation of the oesophagus-- if they are distracted or are using multiple or unusual swords [NO! Really??], finds a study in this week's Christmas issue of the BMJ.

Sword swallowers who can swallow a non-retractable solid steel blade at least two centimetres wide and 38 centimetres long are recognised by the SSAI (Sword Swallowers' Association International). Despite the obvious dangers of the profession, English medical literature contains only two case reports of injury resulting from sword swallowing.

Other words of wisdom from the original article by Witcombe & Meyer:

Sword swallowers know their occupation is dangerous.

Sore throats are common, particularly while the skill is being learnt or when performances are too frequent.

Sword swallowers without healthcare coverage expose themselves to financial as well as physical risk.

Oh, but it gets even better!!

One of the authors (DM) swallowing seven swords

Read more!

Witcombe B, Meyer, D (2006). Sword swallowing and its side effects. BMJ 333: 1285-1287.

To the Hilt Sword Swallowing