“A little white tablet, doctor”

Few doctors will not recognise this reply from patients asked to recall their medication. After a similarly vague history of presenting complaint, a persistent clinician might try to narrow down what the tablet is prescribed for, at least, though often (and alarmingly perhaps) this is often a fruitless exercise. There can be occasions, however, when the colour is the key after all.

When I was a senior house officer working in accident and emergency I was asked to take a telephone …