RT Journal
A1 Cohen H
T1 ON ingestion of razor blades
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1969
FD June 16
VO 208
IS 11
SP 2163
OP 2163
DO 10.1001/jama.1969.03160110135031
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1969.03160110135031
AB To the Editor:— 
    The razor blade case that I reported of a prisoner at the New Jersey State Prison is well documented. This prisoner swallowed two double-edge razor blades broken into 15 fragments. The progress of the forward motion was observed by repeated x-ray films.I did not intend to imply that the ingesting of sharp or pointed objects is a relatively innocuous pastime. These individuals must be hospitalized and kept under constant observation. Dr. Weisenberger suggested that there should be contraction of the smooth muscle with trauma to the mucous membrane and underlying structures. I did not state that there was trauma. I mentioned that there was a protective reflex relaxation of the smooth muscle on contact of a sharp object with the mucosa. If there was contraction rather than relaxation, I would have had many more than 12% perforations in my series.Relaxation impedes peristalsis and also centers