“And they all lived happily ever after,” happens only in fairy tales. The clever hospital doctors have made a fascinating physiological diagnosis, and the patient has stopped vomiting and returned to normal life. Cured. Wouldn't it be great if life was like this all the time? Most general practitioners will suppress a wry smile, knowing that this is likely to describe a chapter in Mr Neville's life.1 His general practice file is already substantial, and his hospital notes bulging. The pattern of morbidity leading up to this admission is perhaps likely to continue long into the future.

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