Rare medical occurrences in Jewish traditions.

Abstract

To the Editor.— Recently, three fascinating patients had unusual complications resulting from Jewish religious practices. Jewish religion has developed a set of practices and mores aimed at protecting health. We describe three syndromes that resulted from the observance of Jewish law and tradition. Shofar-Blowing-Induced Interstitial Emphysema.— According to the Bible, the Shofar, an animal's horn prepared for use as a musical instrument, is sounded on Rosh Hashanah and certain other times. Rosh Hashanah is designated as yom teruah (a day of blowing) (Numbers 29:1). Together with the reed, the Shofar is one of the earliest musical instruments known to man that is still in use. A 17 year-old boy was admitted to Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center with notable pain in the midline of the neck anteriorly and difficulty swallowing after his blowing of the Shofar. A roentgenogram of the chest and neck showed interstitial emphysema in the mediastinum and