How did they find out that if you sneeze too hard you can fracture a rib, and if you try to suppress a sneeze you can rupture a blood vessel in your head or neck and die, and if you keep your eyes open by force they can pop out?

fosse4

How did who find out? All the examples you have given are physically impossible.! Jul 13 03, 4:19 PM

Roget

Fosse4, the rib one is true, see http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/cache/-1214644175.htm My wife, who was fairly young at the time, broke a rib with a violent coughing fit - and it was vey painful. Jul 13 03, 4:28 PM

Roget

That link does not work. The most common reason given for a break is that the person suffers from osteoporosis (weakening of the bones in old age), though it can happen in healty people. The other possible damage is that the rib becomes detached from the cartilage. Try this link instead: http://www.sportsmed.buffalo.edu/info/rib.html Jul 13 03, 4:41 PM