Dear Doctor,

Can you settle a bet? My wife Fran says if you lick a metal pole in the winter, your tongue'll get frozen stuck, and the fire department will have to come pry you loose. I say this is a myth.

Harvey Short
Pump, VA

Well, I'll tell you Harve, this is no myth. It happens. The part about the fire department, now that's a myth! I waited for six hours that day. And when they finally came, not a siren, not a light, nothing! In fact, they laughed...at me, a doctor! So do me a favor Harve, call your local fire department and tell them to get off their keister.