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" swordsOther words of wisdom from the original article by Witcombe & Meyer:
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.
Sword swallowers know their occupation is dangerous.Oh, but it gets even better!!
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.
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
Thanks for running the story on our year-and-a-half survey and study. We were pleased to get responses to our survey from 46 remaining sword swallowers around the world and all the information we received from the survey and subsequent study.
ReplyDeleteDan Meyer
Executive Director
Sword Swallowers Association Int'l
http://www.swordswallow.org
Sword Swallowing to the Hilt
http://www.swordswallow.com
Thanks for stopping by, Dan! Swallowing seven swords is an incredible feat, indeed!
ReplyDeletePerhaps this article was a metaphor for something else??
ReplyDeleteNikeroo - um, I think the study was really about sword swallowing and not something else...
ReplyDelete