Disappearing Speculum Act

When young children are afraid to have you look in their ears, try this trick: take the little ear speculum off the otoscope and place it on your finger, then make it "magically" disappear by passing your hand over it. Ask if you can shine the light in their ear to look for it. Be sure to congratulate children for having eventually found the speculum (on the end of the otoscope).

  — Richard A. Honaker, MD 
      Carrollton, Tex