The experience of active management of patients in the intensive care unit of a busy district general hospital has convinced us of the value of team work which, allied to enthusiasm and clinical expertise, provides the recipe for success. It is in this spirit that the present volume has been written and the authors are grateful to their colleagues who have given advice. In some cases this has been extended to the compilation of a special chapter and we are indebted to Dr. Dathan, Dr. Layton and Dr. Rushman for their contributions. In this book we have attempted to set down the principles of intensive care as they concern the typical ~istrict general hospital without specialist units or the back up of research departments. In doing this we have tried to maintain simplicity and to give practical advice. The book is not aimed at the specialist in intensive care who can draw on his own extensive experience, but rather at the junior doctor who takes his tum working in the intensive care unit. In particular we have considered the needs of those who require some information outside the parent speciality. We are also aware than in many British hospitals consultants assume a duty responsibility for patients in intensive care units and we hope that the information in this volume may be of some help to them. Trained nurses should also find this book ofvalue.