The story is told of an elderly gentleman who went to the doctor with a flatulence problem. In the examination room, he explained to his doctor, “Doctor, I have a problem with passing silent gas. It happens at the most embarrassing and inopportune times. In fact, since sitting here with you I’ve passed gas silently at least five times.”

Compassionately, the doctor listened to his patient’s troubles while taking notes in the man’s medical history. Then, removing his reading …