BMJ  2006;333 (23 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.39071.417072.BE

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The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

As usual, the Christmas double issue of the BMJ is seasonal, inspiring, humorous, entertaining, and bizarre. There is too much good stuff to describe it all, but here are some highlights.

Ever wonder how sword swallowers do it and how they escape injury? Brian Witcombe and Dan Meyer surveyed (doi: 10.1136/bmj.39027.676690.55) members of a sword swallowing society to find out. Turns out that relaxation and practice are the keys to successful sword swallowing, but injuries (usually minor) and "sword throat" are relatively common.

Donald Combs inspires with his predictions (doi: 10.1136/bmj.39049.453877.BE) of future technologies that will transform medicine. From nanotechnology that allows miniaturized cameras and sensors inside the body to robotics that create customized replacement joints, everything he mentions is being developed now.

Mark Bailey and Janaka de Silva discuss a Sri Lankan classification of diseases and the sanni masks that represent various conditions (doi: 10.1136/bmj.39055.445417.BE). The . . . [Full text of this article]

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