Bell ringers' bruises and broken bones: capers and crises in campanology

BMJ. 1990 Dec;301(6766):1415-8. doi: 10.1136/bmj.301.6766.1415.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence, aeriology, and outcome of injuries due to bell ringing.

Design: Retrospective review of the last six years' issues of Ringing World, advertisement in Ringing World, and a postal questionnaire sent to 20 active ringing towers.

Subjects: Regular bell ringers.

Results: Seventy nine injuries were identified both from review and by advertisement in Ringing World. The incidence of injury among 221 ringers identified by postal questionnaire was 1.8% a year.

Conclusion: Although sonerous, bell ringing can be dangerous and occasionally even fatal. Doctors should be aware of the dangers to which campanologists expose themselves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone and Bones / injuries
  • Craniocerebral Trauma / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities*
  • Male
  • Music
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / etiology*