Pig bladder
Encyclopedia
Pig bladder is the bladder
of a domestic pig
, similar to the human urinary bladder
. Today, this hollow organ has various applications in medicine
, and in traditional cuisines and customs. Historically, the pig bladder had several additional uses, all based on its properties as a light weight, stretchable container that could be filled and tied off.
is noted for developing extracellular matrix
products derived from pig bladder.
The pig bladder has several traditional ceremonial uses in Europe. It is traditional during the festival Fasching in Bad Aussee
to brandish inflated pig bladders on sticks. Similarly, in Xinzo de Limia
, Spain, inflated pig bladders are carried during Carnival
. See also Clown society
and Jester and Gigantes y cabezudos
and Vejigante
.
In traditional Germanic communities a public Schlachtfest
(of a pig) is announced by hanging the pig's inflated bladder in front of the host establishment. The bladder is used as a casing
for several traditional food items, including the sausage
s known as ventricina
and sobrassada
.
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Historically the pig bladder was used in sports, as the airtight membrane ("bladder") inside a football
. In the early 19th century the inventor William Gilbert
used pig bladders in the manufacture of rugby balls. Decades later, Richard Lindon
did the same. (See also Mob football
, Medieval football, and La soule
.)
The oil paint
tube was invented in 1841, superseding pig bladders and glass syringes as the primary packaging of paints for transport.
In the bian lian
("face changing") style of Chinese opera, painted pig bladders were used as face masks.
Bladder
Bladder usually refers to an anatomical hollow organBladder may also refer to:-Biology:* Urinary bladder in humans** Urinary bladder ** Bladder control; see Urinary incontinence** Artificial urinary bladder, in humans...
of a domestic pig
Domestic pig
The domestic pig is a domesticated animal that traces its ancestry to the wild boar, and is considered a subspecies of the wild boar or a distinct species in its own right. It is likely the wild boar was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin...
, similar to the human urinary bladder
Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...
. Today, this hollow organ has various applications in medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, and in traditional cuisines and customs. Historically, the pig bladder had several additional uses, all based on its properties as a light weight, stretchable container that could be filled and tied off.
Medical uses
The medical technology company ACellACell
Acell Incorporated is a Jessup, Maryland-based biotechnology company. They work in regenerative medicine, in which they own several valuable extracellular matrix patents. They develop, manufacture and market products for medical and veterinary applications. The company is founded by Alan R...
is noted for developing extracellular matrix
Extracellular matrix
In biology, the extracellular matrix is the extracellular part of animal tissue that usually provides structural support to the animal cells in addition to performing various other important functions. The extracellular matrix is the defining feature of connective tissue in animals.Extracellular...
products derived from pig bladder.
Traditional uses
Bad Aussee
-Tracht:Bad Aussee is unique within Austria as its inhabitants wear Tracht, or traditional dress, on a daily basis. Within other regions of Austria, it could almost be taken as a political statement if one were to wear Tracht. For women, this consists of a Dirndl, a type of dress with a fitted...
to brandish inflated pig bladders on sticks. Similarly, in Xinzo de Limia
Xinzo de Limia
Xinzo de Limia , is a town in the province of Ourense, Autonomous Community of Galicia, Spain. It lies on the important Autovia das Rias Baixas in the fertile valley of Antela, approximately 33 km from Verín and 43 km from Ourense...
, Spain, inflated pig bladders are carried during Carnival
Carnival
Carnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
. See also Clown society
Clown society
Clown society is a term used in anthropology and sociology for an organization of comedic entertainers who have a formalized role in a culture or society.-Description and Function:...
and Jester and Gigantes y cabezudos
Gigantes y cabezudos
Many Spanish festivals include costumed figures known as gigantes y cabezudos, roughly, “Giants and Big-Heads”, or, in Catalan, gegants i capgrossos...
and Vejigante
Vejigante
A vejigante is a clown-like character in Puerto Rican festival celebrations . Traditional colors of the Vejigantes were black, red, white, and yellow. Today, vejigantes wear brightly colored, ornate masks of all colors and a costume with bat-like wings...
.
In traditional Germanic communities a public Schlachtfest
Schlachtfest
A Schlachtfest is the German term for the ritual or ceremonial slaughter of an animal, which is often followed by festive meal. Today, it usually refers to the practice in many parts of Germany, such as the Palatinate, for a celebration or festival involving the ceremonial slaughter of a pig reared...
(of a pig) is announced by hanging the pig's inflated bladder in front of the host establishment. The bladder is used as a casing
Casing (sausage)
Casing, sausage casing, or sausage skin is the material that encloses the filling of a sausage. Casings are divided into two categories, natural and artificial...
for several traditional food items, including the sausage
Sausage
A sausage is a food usually made from ground meat , mixed with salt, herbs, and other spices, although vegetarian sausages are available. The word sausage is derived from Old French saussiche, from the Latin word salsus, meaning salted.Typically, a sausage is formed in a casing traditionally made...
s known as ventricina
Ventricina
Ventricina is a delicatessen item commonly found in the Abruzzo Region of central Italy. It is most similar to what Americans refer to as "cold cuts". Traditionally made using relatively low grade, very fatty meat cuts pig and encasing them in the animal's intestines or stomach while they cure...
and sobrassada
Sobrassada
Sobrassada is a raw, cured sausage from the Balearic Islands made with ground pork, paprika and salt and other spices. Sobrassada, along with botifarró are traditional Majorcan sausage meat products prepared in the laborious but festive rites that still mark the autumn and winter pig slaughter in...
.
Historical uses
Football (ball)
A football is an inflated ball used to play one of the various sports known as football.The first balls were made of natural materials, such as an inflated pig bladder, sometimes inside a leather cover...
. In the early 19th century the inventor William Gilbert
William Gilbert (Rugby)
William Gilbert established Gilbert company, the manufacturer of sports equipment, in 1823. Gilbert had a boot and shoemakers shop in the high street next to Rugby School and started making balls for the school out of hand stitched, four-panel, leather casings and pig bladders.It is the shape of...
used pig bladders in the manufacture of rugby balls. Decades later, Richard Lindon
Richard Lindon
Richard Lindon was an English leatherworker who was instrumental in the development of the modern-day rugby ball by advancing the craft for ball, rubber bladder, and air pump.- Life and career :...
did the same. (See also Mob football
Mob football
Mob football is the name given to some varieties of Medieval football, which emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages.Mob football distinguished itself from other codes by typically having an unlimited number of players and very few rules. By some accounts, any means could be used to move the ball...
, Medieval football, and La soule
La Soule
La soule, also known as choule, is a traditional team sport that originated in Normandy and Picardy.The ball, called a soule, could be solid or hollow and made of either wood or leather. Leather balls would be filled with hay, bran, horse hair or moss...
.)
The oil paint
Oil paint
Oil paint is a type of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil, commonly linseed oil. The viscosity of the paint may be modified by the addition of a solvent such as turpentine or white spirit, and varnish may be added to increase the glossiness of the...
tube was invented in 1841, superseding pig bladders and glass syringes as the primary packaging of paints for transport.
In the bian lian
Bian Lian
Bian Lian is an ancient Chinese dramatic art that is part of the more general Sichuan opera. Performers wear brightly colored costumes and move to quick, dramatic music. They also wear vividly colored masks, which they change within a fraction of a second....
("face changing") style of Chinese opera, painted pig bladders were used as face masks.
See also
- Artificial urinary bladderArtificial urinary bladderAn artificial urinary bladder is an artificial organ to replace a urinary bladder.On April 4, 2006, it was announced that a team of biologists at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, led by Professor Anthony Atala, had created the world's first lab-grown organ, a bladder, and transplanted...
- BalloonBalloonA balloon is an inflatable flexible bag filled with a gas, such as helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, oxygen, or air. Modern balloons can be made from materials such as rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or a nylon fabric, while some early balloons were made of dried animal bladders, such as the pig...
- Bladder pipe
- BumbassBumbassThe bladder fiddle is a folk instrument used throughout Europe. The instrument was a simple large monochord made with a long stick, a thick gut string, and a pig's bladder. It is bowed with either a notched stick or a horsehair bow...
- Rubber chickenRubber chickenA rubber chicken is a prop used in comedy. The phrase is also used as a description for food served at speeches, conventions, and other large meetings, and as a metaphor for speechmaking.-Comedy:...
- Terry Dicks
- German cuisineGerman cuisineGerman cuisine is a style of cooking derived from the nation of Germany. It has evolved as a national cuisine through centuries of social and political change with variations from region to region. The southern regions of Germany, including Bavaria and neighbouring Swabia, share many dishes....
- Spanish cuisineSpanish cuisineSpanish cuisine consists of a variety of dishes, which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country's deep maritime roots...