The third edition has seen further changes. The mathematics section has been overhauled and expanded to give a better base for the kinetics. An additional chapter has been added on intravenous fluids, and the chapters on intravenous and volatile anaesthetics have been combined with an expanded section on the molecular mechanism of anaesthesia.

We have tried to maintain the style of the previous two editions with an emphasis on clarity both in terms of presentation and content. In addition we have tried very hard to eliminate those small errors that are disproportionately irritating. We hope that this book will continue to be a helpful aid to the wide range of readers it appears to have attracted.