I removed it and promptly got
Fatal error: Call to undefined function: db_query() in /home/alex/include/user.php on line 170
Not sure I understand why, since line 170 is simply a call to the db, and references the variable $sql, which if I scroll back through user.php simply is part of a query to change the password given for user_name.
So I'm confused :o)
I just commented out the lost password bit for now til i can look at it more...if you have any hints or suggestions, I'm open to them as well :o)