Swallowing Function Test

Day 2 in Hospital


To evaluate how chewed food is swallowed down
A camera was inserted in my throat.


A nozzle was inserted in my nostrils to spray anesthetic.
Even numbed, the lining of nose respond to the presence of foreign object
With an unpleasant sensation.


I admire the first person who had endoscopy.
Or the first animal who was experimented on.
I pray for many lives of animals.


I bore with the suffering thinking about animals suffered.


With the camera in place, a few drops of water were placed in my mouth.
"Swallow."
"Gulp."
"Swallowing seems to be intact."


How long will I be able to eat by mouth?
I asked myself and left the otolaryngology department.

By Maria Franki

Edited and translated by J. Ujiie
© 2011