Doctors across the UK have become increasingly concerned as a new mystery illness which causes sudden vomiting has spread across the UK in the past few weeks.
"We did think that it was a norovirus which is highly infectious and can cause spectacular vomiting", said Dr James Haynes of the UK's Disease Control Centre "but this infection appears to strike only adults and the older teenagers.
"Typical onset appears to be quite sudden oesophogeal distress, although some patients had reported some symptoms of nausea for quite some time. One of our patients described it as like someone kneeling on his chest while something was rammed forceably down his throat".
Arthur Fisher appears to be a typical example. "I had just finished my favourite supper and was just watching Sky News and I suddenly felt incredibly bilious. Turning over to the BBC just made it worse and before I knew it, I'd vomited on my special Royal copy of the Times. It was awful"
"The last time we had a disease similar to this was in September 1997, but I think we were distracted by the death of Princess Diana" said Dr Haynes "which is a shame given the simularities"
Treatment appears to be limited to putting the patients in a quiet room and have them listen to music and given regular fluids. Most reported their symptoms being alleviated by listening to American soul music, Bruce Springsteen or even the Sex Pistols.
"Nurses have been volunteering their time even at reduced pay to help those afflicted, even though a lot of them have been suffering themselves" said Dr Haynes "It really shows how the Health Service can pull together in a crisis"
But with cases still coming in, Dr Haynes worries about overload on consultants. "If this doesn't stop soon, a lot of us won't be able to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee"
