Patients keep asking me if I'm taking the homeopathic anti-swine flu 'nosode' (remedy) made by the pharmacy which makes the Queen's homeopathic remedies. Until yesterday, it's been a case of the cobbler's children (who, you'll recall, went unshod despite their father's profession). As we don't even know how homeopathy works, I've no idea whether a homeopathic nosode really does give the system extra protection against the virus. My understanding of homeopathic philosophy gives me a few doubts, and I never suggest patients rely on homeopathy alone for protection, in any case. Now, where's that little vial of pillules?