Hi all This debate has been going for some time. Even John Fry in his earlier days was writing on it. Howie JGR (1976). Clinical judgement and antibiotic use in general practice. BMJ 2, 1061-4. Fry J (1958). Antibiotics in acute tonsillitis and acute otitis media. BMJ ii, 883-6. Isn't it interesting how we go on about EBM and then ignore it entirely when it comes to personal decisions! Tom Sargent 19 October 1996 GP Trainer, Bo'ness, West Lothian, EH51 9EG %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%