Here’s a link to the book, “Le Petomane”, on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0285630970/qid=1097291751/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-5156782-3416757?v=glance&s=books#product-details
The topic is one of a dozen or so that are listed in Archives under the first edition (1984) of Straight Dope.
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, Roger, we’re glad to have you with us.
When you start a thread, it’s helpful to other readers to provide a link to the column that you’re commenting on. Helps keep us all on the same page. I presume your reference to “a dozen or so” was a comment on that? In any case, a search of the online Archives only turned up two “Petomane” references. Here’s a link to the first Column: Did a French vaudeville star once specialize in trained flatulence?
No biggie, you’ll know for next time, and welcome!