Occasions demanding the use of an infant proctoscope are so infrequent in a small hospital that the expense of such equipment is sometimes not justified. Occasionally, however, a simple problem will arise which can be solved by makeshift equipment. This will obviate the necessity of transporting the patient to a more elaborately equipped facility.
Most pediatricians know of the usefulness of a test tube inserted into the anal orifice for visualization of anal and lower rectal pathology. Recently we had occasion to modify an otoscope for use in the same way, with the added advantage that limited manipulation could be carried out.
An otoscope with a diagnostic head and nasal speculum is most suitable for this purpose. An appropriate length of plastic or rubber tubing (2 in. for the lower rectum) is slipped over the end of the nasal speculum. A piece cut from a large catheter or a plastic