Sword swallowing

Individual performing sword swallowing feat

Sword swallowing is an ancient skill in which the performer passes a sword through the mouth and down the esophagus to the stomach. This feat is not swallowing in the traditional sense; the natural processes that constitute swallowing do not take place, but are repressed in order to keep the passage from the mouth to the stomach open for the sword. The practice is dangerous and there is risk of injury.

History

The Great Victorina Troupe: originators and presenters of the most marvelous sword swallowing act on earth

Street performer

Sword swallowing has a long and varied history. During its early history it was used as a demonstration of divine union and power.

Sword swallowing spread to Greece and Rome in the 1st century AD and to China in the 8th century. In Japan, it became a part of the Japanese acrobatic theatre, Sangaku, which included fire eating, tightrope walking, juggling and early illusion. In Europe it developed into yet a third distinct type of performance associated with the medieval jongleurs, that of the street performance.

Sword swallowing was performed during the Middle Ages as part of street theatre and was popular at festivals and other large gatherings. It began to die out in the mid-19th century, and was outlawed in Scandinavia in 1893. This was due to a declining interest in street and festival theatre and a growing interest on the part of audiences in more "sophisticated" and "proper" theatre.

According to an early-19th century English magazine article ^[1] the abilities of sword-swallowers in India were considered incredible when first reported in England. In 1813 'swallowing the sword' was advertised as among the new and astonishing feats ^[2][3] performed by the Indian Jugglers then appearing in London. The troupe was led by the famous juggler and sword swallower Ramo Sammee, who continued to perform until his death in London in August 1850, having at times also toured Europe and America.^[4] From 1850 to the 1890s a small number of sword swallowers performed in the UK, such as Martha Mitchell (c 1855) and Benedetti (1863–95), and in the US, including Lawson Peck (c 1850s), Ling Look (c 1872), Wandana (died May 9, 1875), and Harry Parsons (died December 1880). The best-known North American sword swallower of this time was Fred McLone, better known to the public as "Chevalier Cliquot", who performed from 1878 to the early 20th century.

In 1893 sword swallowing was featured at the World Columbian Exposition at the Chicago World's Fair.

In the early 1900s traveling circuses and sideshows were the dominant venue for sword swallowers. It became competitive. In Europe performers tried to swallow large numbers of swords; in America there was a focus on the novel and bizarre. Some tried to swallow longer swords, many swords, hot swords, bayonets or glowing neon tubes. Sword swallowers appeared on the same bill as magicians such as Houdini. Western Europe and England also saw an increase in sword swallowing interest during this period, with many cross-Atlantic influences. During the late 19th century and early 20th century traveling magic shows from the Orient toured Europe and America; some included sword swallowing The middle of the 20th century saw a demise in circuses in general and sideshows in particular.

Anatomy and method

The pharynx

The performer must first lean the head back, hyper-extending the neck, and relax the upper esophageal sphincter (a generally involuntary muscle which contracts the top of the esophagus). Retching must be controlled while the sword, lubricated by saliva, is inserted through the mouth and past the pharynx.

Once past the pharynx and sphincter the sword passes swiftly, assisted by gravity, straightening the flexible esophagus. The stomach, at an angle to the esophagus, is brought into line as the sword enters through the cardiac opening.^[5] Some swallowers consume a large meal or drink water before performing to give the stomach a more vertical orientation, allowing for easier passage of the sword.^[5] Careful focus is required to complete the process without injury, as the sword passes within millimeters of vitals such as the aorta, heart and lungs.^[6]

Side effects and injuries

Most serious sword swallowing injuries and fatalities occur after minor injuries or while attempting a feat beyond that of a "normal" sword swallow.^[6] The most common injury is a sore throat when first learning, after frequent consecutive performances, or after swallowing curved swords or several swords at once.^[6] Swallowing multiple swords simultaneously over time can also lead to distension of the esophagus.^[7] A minor injury may predispose the performer to sustaining a more major one, including perforation of the esophagus, stomach, heart, lungs, and other organs in proximity to the path of the sword, or intestinal bleeding. Twenty-nine deaths have been reported as a result of sword swallowing injuries since 1880.^[6]

Medical case reports

• A 59-year-old man experienced chest pain and severe dysphagia following practice for his sword swallowing act. An esophageal perforation was found and surgically repaired; 19 days later a leak at the site required a transhiatal esophagectomy with a left cervical esophagogastrostomy. The patient recovered normally, but ceased the practice of sword swallowing.^[8]
• A 27-year-old woman reported neck pain and a single episode of hematemesis (vomiting blood) after pricking her throat while practicing her sword swallowing act with a sharp dagger. The injury was found to be immediately below the esophageal sphincter, and the patient was admitted to intensive care and placed on intravenous antibiotics and a proton-pump inhibitor. She recovered well and returned to all previous activities with the exception of sword swallowing.^[9]

Contributions to science

Hans Rosling of Gapminder Foundation swallows a bayonet during his TED talk

The abilities of sword-swallowers have proven useful to the progress of medical knowledge, specifically in the development and advancement of upper endoscopy.^[8]

In 1868 Adolf Kussmaul of Freiburg, Germany, performed an esophagoscopy on a sword-swallower using a rigid 47 cm tube, mirrors, and a gasoline lamp.^[6] The apparatus, an early endoscope, allowed him to examine the esophagus and the fundus of the stomach.^[8]

In 1897 a Scottish physician named Stevens performed digestive experiments with a sword swallower assistant; small metal tubes, pierced with holes and filled with meat, were swallowed and after a time regurgitated, allowing Stevens to examine the extent of the digestion that had taken place.^[10]

In 1906 a doctor named Cremer performed an electrocardiogram by passing an electrode down the esophagus of a sword swallower. This approach has since been proven useful by numerous studies; esophageal recording at a location in proximity to the heart improves signal detection.^[11]

From 2003 to 2006, a research study was conducted by Brian Witcombe, consultant radiologist at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester, England, and Dan Meyer. The results were published in the British Medical Journal.^[6]

In January 2006, Dan Meyer worked with physicians and researchers in swallowing disorders at Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville TN USA to explore whether the techniques involved in sword swallowing could be used to help patients who suffer from swallowing disorders such as dysphagia or achalasia or who had suffered from stroke or severe throat trauma and had difficulty in swallowing as a result.^[12]

In 2007, Dai Andrews worked with Dr. Sharon Caplan at Johns Hopkins University on a study to determine whether sword swallowing could be used to help patients who suffer from achalasia or those who had suffered severe throat trauma.^[13]

Sword swallowers

Space Cowboy swallowing a sword attached to a metal bar from which weights are suspended

Modern sword swallowers include Johnny Fox, Dai Andrews, Brett Loudermilk, Brad Byers, the Space Cowboy, Matt the Knife, Lucky Diamond Rich, Ryan Stock, Josh Routh, Aerial Manx, The Lady Aye, Nick Penney, Bear Lee, Eric the Excellent, Murrugun the Mystic and Johnny Strange.

Guinness World Records

In 2009, the Guinness World Record for longest sword swallowed was achieved by Natasha Veruschka with a 58 cm (22.83 in) long sword.^[14]

In 2009, the Guinness World Record for "Largest Curve in a Sword Swallowed" was achieved by Dai Andrews with a 120 degree curved sword.^[15]

Brad Byers holds the Guinness World Record for "The Most Swords Swallowed and Twisted at One Time" by swallowing ten 27 inch swords one at a time and then twisting all ten swords 180 degrees in his throat.^[16]

Thomas Blackthorne made the sword known as "The Sword of Swords". It holds the Guinness World Record for the most swallowed sword and has been swallowed by 40 of the world's most known sword swallowers.^[17]

References

1. 'Jugglers in India, from a late narrative', quoted in Select Reviews and Spirit of Foreign Magazines, ed. Enos Bronson, Philadelphia, 1810: p.124
2. 'The swallowing of the sword, and the novelty of the other performances, have attracted the attention of the public beyond any thing that has appeared in the metropolis for many years past.' The Times(London, England), 27 July 1813, p.2
3. 'The Indian Jugglers surprised the town by swallowing a sword...' The Times,(London, England), 30 September 1820, p.3
4. Article from the Salem Gazette, 5 October 1819
5. Witcombe, Brian. "Sword swallowing uncertainties." British Medical Journal. 5 Nov 2005. Retrieved 16 Sept. 2009
6. Witcombe, Brian and Meyer, Dan. ' 'Sword swallowing and its side effects.' ' British Medical Journal. 23 Dec. 2006. Retrieved 16 Sept. 2009
7. "Sword Diet Did Not Agree: M'Lone's Exhibition Had Rather Serious Results." New York Times. 21 Jan. 1894. Retrieved 29 Sept. 2009
8. Scheinin, Scott A., MD, and Patrick R. Wells, MD. "Esophageal Perforation in a Sword Swallower." Texas Heart Institute Journal. 28(2001): 65-68. PMC101136. 17 Sept. 2009
9. Martin, Matthew MD, Scott Steele, MD, Philip Mullenix, MD, William Long, MD, and Seth Izenberg, MD. "Management of Esophageal Perforation in a Sword Swallower: A Case Report and Review of the Literature." The Journal of Trauma, Injury Infection, and Critical Care. 59.1(2005): 233-235.
10. Hopkins, Albert A. Magic, Stage Illusions, and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography. New York: Munn & Co., Inc., 1911.
11. Machler, Heinrich E. et al. "A New High-Resolution Esophageal Electrocardiography Recording Technique: An Experimental Approach for the Detection of Myocardial lschemia." Anesthesia & Analgesia. 86.1 (1998): 34-39. 21 November 2009
12. "Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Center". Vanderbilt Stallworth Rehabilitation Center. Retrieved 2013-01-01.
13. Amy Kraft (25 February 2014). "How to swallow a sword". The Week. Retrieved 24 March 2014.
14. "Longest Sword Swallowed". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
15. "Largest Curve in a Sword Swallowed". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
16. "Most Swords Swallowed and Twisted". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
17. "Most Swallowed Sword". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 25 March 2014.