BLADE SWALLOWER

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1932, Page 2

BLADE SWALLOWER

MAHT PROVIDES A PUZZLE,

AN UNUSUAL CASE,

SYDNEY, August 26

Doctors at Sydney Hospital are amazed that although John Pugh, 36, swallowed a safety-razor blade ten days ago—and it is still therei—he has suffered practically no pain. Pugh, who lives in SeJwyn Street, Paddington, Iras evidently suffered no internal injury, and doctors are hoping that the blade will eventually find its way out.

This is probably the first case in history that a man has swallowed such a sharp instrument, and suffered no illeffects. .

Pugh had placed the blade in his mouth while he dismantled the razor, and swallowed the blade without knowing I He found that it had slipped down his throat, and he hurried to 'Sydney Hospital.

His case created a sensation in the hospital, and .an X-ray photograph was taken at once. It showed the blade in the middle of his stomach.

A photograph shows that the blade has dropped considerably. Pugh is so well that he is on ordinary diet, and can eat anything he desires. Doctors believe that food has wound itself around the blade, effectively blunting it. Pugh will have to remain in hospital until the hlade disappears. He has a habit of swallowing “foreign bodies.” He has often swallowed pins, and for a fortnight this year was in hospital with '& safety pin in his stomach.