Designed for undergraduate courses in anaesthetics, this brief explanatory text describes the scientific basis of anaesthetic practice in the UK. A primer of principles rather than practice, it concentrates on those aspects of the subject which all trained members of the medical professions should know. The basic sciences of pharmacology and physiology are considered in relation to anaesthesia, analgesia and intensive care, while other chapters cover specific topics such as pre-operative assessment, coma and monitoring, and techniques associated with resuscitation. The third edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to take into account some of the more recent developments in the subject.