I was once told by a History major (& former Marine) that when some enemies of Rome would find themselves about to become vanquished, they would swallow their gold (or other small valuables). This was presumably to keep the Romans from getting the goods – or to prolong the life of the vanquished. Reportedly the Romans were inspired to invent the original, true ‘knife hand” – a thrust that would penetrate the stomach of the swallower and relive them of their valuables!
Dewey