[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] A man in China nearly lost his life after swallowing two live eels whole in an attempt to cure constipation.
According to local Chinese media, Mr. A (51), who works at a construction site in Nanjing, swallowed two large eels on the 9th to treat his constipation, then experienced severe abdominal pain and went to the hospital.
The medical staff performed a computed tomography (CT) scan to identify the cause. Inside Mr. A’s digestive tract, two eels measuring 50 cm in length and 3 cm in thickness were wriggling.
The medical team soon performed surgery to remove the two eels from Mr. A’s body. The specialist who conducted the surgery told the media, "The patient believed in a folk remedy that swallowing live eels would cure constipation," adding, "We were shocked to find the skeletons of living creatures inside his abdomen during the examination."
The medical staff reported, "The eels inside the body bit the patient’s colon and other organs and squeezed between them, causing severe bleeding," and "There was also a serious bacterial infection. If the eels had not been removed through surgery, he would have lost his life."
It is known that Mr. A believed swallowing live eels could cure chronic constipation and prostate inflammation. He reportedly did this the day before visiting the hospital (on the 8th).
After swallowing the two eels, Mr. A felt intense abdominal pain but thought it was a symptom of the constipation disappearing, so he endured it and only sought medical help the next day.
Meanwhile, Mr. A is reported to be recovering his health after the surgery.
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