Sword swallowing
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Sword swallowing is an ancient performance art in which the performer passes a sword through the mouth and down the esophagus towards the stomach. This feat is obviously 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 extremely dangerous, posing a high risk of injury.
Most of today's practising sword swallowers, approximately one hundred in number, belong to the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI).
History
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Originating in India before 2000 BC, the deadly art of sword swallowing has a long and varied history. During its early history it was used as a demonstration of divine union and power.[citation needed]
The migration of the art to other lands, all the way to Greece and Rome in the 1st centuries AD and most notably China in the 8th century, saw its transformation from divine demonstration to theatrical production. It quickly migrated to Japan, where it became a central part of the Japanese acrobatic theatre, Sangaku. This form of theatre featured an array of performance delights, including 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. However, from the founding of the Holy Inquisition in 1231, it and other forms of religious persecution slowly spread in their influence throughout Europe. Sword swallowers along with jugglers, magicians, prophets and other performers, found themselves increasingly the target of religious persecution, being condemned and executed as heretics, witches and practitioners of the dark arts.[citation needed]
Though performers reemerged following the Inquisition and enjoyed a resurgence in activity and reception, this was to be short-lived. Sword swallowing began to die out in the mid-19th century, and was actually 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.
In 1819, the East Indian juggler and sword swallower Ramo Sammee became popular in the United States after a brief stint in England. He performed in the US and England until his death in London in August 1850. From 1850 to the 1890s a very small number of sword swallowers performed in the UK such as Martha Mitchell (c 1855) and Signor Benedetti (1863–95), and in the US, including Lawson Peck (c 1850s), Ling Look (c 1872), Signor Wandana (died May 9, 1875), and Harry Parsons (died December 1880). But 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. This spawned the beginning of the popularity of the American practice of the art.
Circuses and sideshows quickly became the dominant venue for sword swallowers. Traveling throughout North America and presenting their skills to the show-going public, any connection with religion or divine power was long gone. Sword swallowing became a stunt, and as such, it became competitive. Whereas the European practice of the art certainly saw performers attempting to swallow larger numbers of swords, there seemed to be an undue focus on the novel and bizarre in the American practice. This is understandable, as there were a larger number of sword swallowers performing at this time, and innovation was the only recourse performers had in the effort to make money, for themselves and for their employers.
It is during this time that we see a growing popularity with swallowing longer swords, multiple swords, hot swords, bayonets recoiled down the throat, glowing neon tubes and so forth. With the growing interest in the art came clever innovations. In fact, one could often find sword swallowers on the same bill as the magic greats such as Houdini, clearly indicating their appeal.
Western Europe and England also saw an upsurge 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, bringing some unique twists on standard effects, some entirely new effects (the secrets of which were lusted after by American magicians), and of course sword swallowing, along with their traditional fire eating, juggling and acrobatic feats.
Around the middle of the 20th century saw a demise in circuses in general and sideshows in particular. Today there remains only one full-time permanent sideshow in the world, the Coney Island Sideshows by the Seashore, in New York City, and a very few smaller traveling sideshows. Some attribute the decline of the sideshow to the increased interest in and decreased cost of mechanical circus and carnival rides, as well as the growth of other forms of entertainment such as television, movies, videos and the Internet.
Today many skills typically associated with the circus or sideshows have been appropriated by individual performers and incorporated into their acts, fueling a revival in many of the sideshow arts.
Technique
Learning
Learning to sword swallow comprises both physical and psychological aspects. The first obstacle in acquiring the skill is overcoming the gag reflex, achieved by accustoming the pharynx to touch. As recorded in the 2006 study by Brian Whitcombe, radiologist, and Dan Meyer, Chief Executive Director of Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI), this is accomplished through practice with putting fingers and other objects down the throat, such as spoons, knitting needles, and plastic tubes, before eventually graduating to a wire coat-hanger.[1] Performers must prepare mentally as well as physically, steeling themselves against unpleasant sensations, relaxing the mind and body, and focusing carefully on proper technique. According to swordswallow.com, a site run by SSAI, the art takes "about three to seven years to learn and approximately five [more] to master."[2] Most swallowers surveyed for the Whitcombe-Meyer study were self-taught.[1]
Anatomy and method
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.[3] 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.[3] Most performers only keep the sword down for a matter of a few seconds, as it is difficult to suppress the gag reflex for any length of time.[2] 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.[1]
Added risks
Sometimes factors are added which increase the danger; some highly experienced swallowers practice the "drop," a maneuver in which the sword is allowed to fall suddenly, its movement controlled by the muscles of the pharynx.[1] Practitioners have also reported such things as performing on a unicycle, lying on a bed of nails, and allowing audience members to remove the sword, adding to the risk of injury.[1]
Side effects and injuries
Swallowing practitioners have reported sore throats—dubbed "sword" throats, in the business—when first learning, after frequent consecutive performances, or after swallowing curved swords or several swords at once.[1] Swallowing multiple swords simultaneously over time can also lead to distension of the esophagus.[4] Less common are reports of lower chest pain as a result of practicing the "drop." Such injuries rarely require medical attention; the performers simply refrain from swallowing swords for a time. A minor injury may predispose the performer to sustaining a more major one; these more serious injuries include perforation of the esophagus, stomach, lungs, and other organs in proximity to the path of the sword, as well as intestinal bleeding.[1] According to Dr. Brian Whitcombe and Dan Meyer, "One swallower lacerated his pharynx when trying to swallow a curved sabre, a second lacerated his esophagus and developed pleurisy after being distracted by a misbehaving macaw on his shoulder, and a belly dancer suffered a major haemorrhage when a bystander pushed dollar bills into her belt causing three blades in her oesophagus to scissor." In spite of its highly dangerous nature, no deaths are known to have been reported as a result of sword swallowing.[1]
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.[5]
- 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.[6]
Contributions to science
The abilities of sword-swallowers have proven useful to the progress of medical knowledge, specifically in the development and advancement of upper endoscopy.[5] In 1868 Adolf Kussmaul of Freiburg, Germany performed the first esophagoscopy on a sword-swallower using a rigid 47 cm tube, mirrors, and a gasoline lamp.[1] The apparatus, an early endoscope, allowed him to examine the esophagus and the fundus of the stomach.[5] Stevens, a Scottish physician, performed digestive experiments with his sword-swallowing 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.[7] In 1906 Dr. Cremer performed the first electrocardiogram on a professional sword-swallower in Wales by passing an electrode down the esophagus. This approach has since been proven useful by numerous studies; esophageal recording at a location in proximity to the heart improves signal detection.[8]
Sword swallowing today
Feats
- Brett Loudermilk swallowed a total of 37500 swords in 2008[3]
- 19 performers swallowed 50 swords simultaneously at a 2002 swallowers' convention[3]
- In honor of International Sword Swallower Awareness Day, Red Stuart swallowed 50 swords simultaneously on February 28, 2009, breaking his previous records of 34 and 25 swords.[2]
- Natasha Veruschka holds the women's record, having swallowed 13 swords at once at the Third Annual Sword Swallower's Convention on September 3, 2004.[2]
- Ryan Stock holds the record for "Heaviest Vehicle pull by a sword swallower". He pulled a 1696.44 kg 2002 Audi Quattro 6.38m in 20.53 seconds, using two chains attached from the vehicle's chassis to the swords hilt, while it was down his throat.
SSAI
Formed in 2001 and officially launched in 2002, the Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) is a private organization designed to keep sword swallowing alive and network performers, both amateur and professional, around the world. February 28 was declared "International Sword Swallowers Awareness Day," which serves to further the purpose of SSAI and foster appreciation for this unique art.[citation needed]
In order to be recognized by and obtain membership to SSAI, a sword swallower must meet official criteria. Each potential member must be capable of swallowing a solid steel sword blade under the following specifications:
- Swords: All swords must pass inspection by officials and witnesses
- Blades: Blades are required to be non-retractable, non-collapsible solid steel
- Length: Blades need to measure at least 15 inches (38 cm) in length
- Width: Blades must measure at least 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) in width
Video and other verification in addition to an application are required to complete the membership process.[9]
Among the ranks of contemporary swallowers are Red Stuart, Dan Meyer, Brad Byers, Murrugun The Mystic (Scott Nelson) , Thom Selectomy, Johnny Fox, Dai Andrews, Natasha Veruschka, Todd Robbins, Brett Loudermilk, Brianna Belladonna [Brianne Young], Thomas Blackthorne, István Betyár, the Space Cowboy (real name Chayne Hultgren), Matthew Henshaw, Matt the Knife, George the Giant, Travis Fessler, Erik Kloeker, Chris Steele (Capt. Stab-Tuggo), Gordo Gamsby, Lucky Diamond Rich (the worlds most tattooed man), Count Desmond, Charles Knight, Roderick Russell, John Metz, John Strong, Damien Blade, The Enigma, Lizard Man, Bill Berry, Mr. Pennygaff, Fred Kahl a.k.a. The Great Fredini, Ryan Stock, Jewels and Amy Saunders (Miss Behave), David Straitjacket, Nick Penney and Laura Penney.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Whitcombe, Brian and Dan Meyer. ' 'Sword swallowing and its side effects.' ' British Medical Journal. 23 Dec. 2006. Retrieved 16 Sept. 2009
- ^ a b c d Swordswallow.com.[1] 2009. 1 Oct. 2009
- ^ a b c d Whitcombe, Brian. "Sword swallowing uncertainties." British Medical Journal. 5 Nov. 2005. Retrieved 16 Sept. 2009
- ^ "Sword Diet Did Not Agree: M'Lone's Exhibition Had Rather Serious Results." New York Times. 21 Jan. 1894. Retrieved 29 Sept. 2009
- ^ a b c Scheinin, Scott A., MD, and Patrick R. Wells, MD. "Esophageal Perforation in a Sword Swallower." Texas Heart Institute Journal. 28(2001): 65-68. 17 Sept. 2009
- ^ 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.
- ^ Hopkins, Albert A. Magic, Stage Illusions, and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography. New York: Munn & Co., Inc., 1911.
- ^ 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
- ^ "SSAI Membership Benefits". Sword Swallowers Association International. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
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