There is argument about whether, whilst swimming, water should be excluded from ears which have middle ear ventilation tubes in place in the tympanic membrane.

The adhesive putty substance BLU-TACK (registered Trade Mark, Bostik Ltd, Leicester, England LE4 6BW) has been suggested as an effective ear plug for this purpose.

A case is described in which an alternative adhesive putty substance was used as a waterproof plug. The result was that the plug became semi-solid and impossible to remove without the use of micro instruments and removal would have required general anæstgetic in a less co-operative patient.

Patients should be warned of this risk.