Doctors in Gloucester, England, recently found themselves faced with a dangerous discovery that could have potentially explosive consequences in a patient’s rectum. Worried about the hospital’s safety, they called the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team (PMI) when they reached the hospital. The identification of the ammunition as a World War II artillery shell in the examination made a real shock. Fortunately, it was determined that he was not active and therefore did not pose a threat to anyone other than the person he was in.
As The Sun reports, the patient was admitted to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital after reporting an unfortunate accident that caused one of his military collections to enter his rectum. A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary told Insider that “the patient had been admitted [to the hospital] with an ammunition in his rectum.” The 5.7 x 11.7 centimeter object reportedly entered the wartime enthusiast’s rectum after it “lost and fell” during cleaning, and was subsequently unable to remove it.
“As with any incident involving ammunition, relevant safety protocols have been followed to ensure that there is no risk to patients, staff or visitors at any time,” said a statement sent to Insider by the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
After it was safely removed and determined not to be dangerous, closer examination of the object revealed that it was a mortar shell used against enemy tanks by the Royal Artillery in WWII.