Last Saturday in February
In the category of “Holidays We Are Not Making Up” today is Sword Swallower’s Day. Sword Swallowers’ Association International (SSAI) recognizes “those who can swallow a non-retractible sold steel blade at least two centimeters wide and 38 centimetres long.”
Sword swallowing is not fake or a ‘trick,’ and it’s very dangerous.
We present the case of a 59 year-old man who sustained an esophageal perforation as a result of sword swallowing. An esophagogram established the diagnosis, and surgical repair was attempted. However, 19 days later, a persistent leak and deterioration of the patient’s condition necessitated a transhiatal esophagectomy with a left cervical esophagogastrostomy.
Yard Dog Road Show – Sword Swallower
Seriously, I can’t even finish watching this. In college I knew a guy who could snort spaghetti up his nose and pull it out his mouth. That’s about as much as I can stomach.
I prefer ‘word wallowing.’ Much safer, less throat lacerations.
“Dan Meyer swallowing a sword underwater in a tank of sharks and stingrays.” (Click to enlarge)