Klarinet Archive - Posting 000994.txt from 1998/04

From: Lee Hickling <hickling@-----.Net>
Subj: Re: wind instruments and circus tricks
Date: Fri, 17 Apr 1998 19:19:57 -0400

An air bubble in a vein or artery is called an embolism. I can think of no
physiological mechanism by which air from the lungs, or anywhere in the
respiratory tract, could enter the blood stream. I think the story is an
urban legend. Did anyone else ever hear it? If so, that would confirm its
legend status.

Lee Hickling <hickling@-----.net>

Joshua Coleman wrote:
>My band director during my senior year of high school told us about a horn
>player friend of his who could circular breathe. In fact, this horn
>player did it so much it often irritated other members of the ensemble.
>Our band director went on to tell us he died of an air bubble getting
>stuck in his heart and popping (embellism? (sp?)). What that has to do
>with circular breathing, I don't know!