The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-04-04
ACCOUNT OF THE FEATS OF
AN AMERICAN SAILOR
WHO SWALLOWED
CLASP KNIVES.


lfthe power of the human frame to
carry off through its solid fabric, extra
neous substances which have been acci.
dentally introduced into it, excItes our
nstonishment, how much more must we
admire the extraordinary self-prcserving
powers of the stomach and the other WIS.,
cera in enabling an individual 10 live,
for many years, who had been IN the
habit of swallowing groat numbers of
clasp knives and other metallic substan-
ces.
The case which we are about to de-
scribe is so extraordinary that 1t could
soarce obtain credit, were it not suppor-
ted by occular and undoubted testimony.
We have no hesitation in believing the
facts of a Spaniard who swallowed per-
forated filvor balls, filled with particular
substances, in order that the physiologis.
who employed him might study the nc
ton and powers of the gastric juice but
it almost surpasses belief, that man
could be found who would voluntarily
introduce into his stomach bodies of
such size, Of such a shape, and Of
such indigestible, materials as to endan-
ger his life both at their entrance and
their exit, us we'll as during their resi-
deEce in that bourne from which such
travellers seldom return.
An American sailor of the name of
John Cummings, about 23 years of age,
happened TO touch at a port on the
French coast about two miles from Ha-
vre de Grace, in the month Of June,
1919. Observing, in distant field, a
tent, with IA crowd Of people round it,
the curiosity of himself and comrades
prompted them to steer their. course in
that direction. Upon their arrival they
learned that play was acting in The
tent, and having collected livre each
and obtained admission, they were sur.
prised at the sight Of the play-actors,
who were entertaining an admiring au-
die ncc with the feat of swallowing CLASP
knives. When tho sailors returned te
their ships, one Of the party gave an nc.
count OF the wonders which they had
seen aud Cummings, who had been
drinking freely, boasted that he could
swallow knives>as well as the French.
men. His comrades took him at his
word, and challenged him to perform
the feat. Though, as he himself candid
y acknowledged in his own account Of
the matter he was "not particularly anx
ious to take the job in hand, yet he die
not like to 60 against his word and
having had a good supply of grog in
wardly" he took, out his own pocket
knife, and upon trying to swallow il, "i
slipped down his throat with great eass
aud, by the assistance Of some drink
and the weight of the knife" it descended
into bis stomach. Successful as thi.
performance was, his companions were
not satisfied with seeing it only once
and having asked hIm iii he could swal
low more" he exul,ingly 70 Piled, "al
the knives on shipboard !" A fresi
supply having been procured, he swal
lowed three ofthem in the same manner
rs he had done the frst and, to use
bis own mode Of expression, "by thil
bold attempt Of drunken man, the com
pany was we'll entertained for the night
On tho following day one Of the knives
and on the day afcr, two others, ode
scended" Ia their owners but the fourtI
was never moro heard Of, having either