Anesthetics are sources of danger, not only for the moment while they are in use, but because of the disturbances which may follow in their train. These drugs should never be administered carelessly nor thoughtlessly, nor by inexperienced individuals, but entrusted to the wisest and the most discreet. More is expected of the anesthetizer than that he shall barely keep the patient alive; he should be so expert as to keep the patient safely on the side of complete anesthesia and muscle relaxation. Nor should he be willing to yield to the importunities of an impatient operator who may be continually appealing to him to crowd the anesthetic. When thus given, and by an expert, such postanesthetic distress as nausea, vomiting, coughing, etc., may be avoided. So generally are these facts now realized and appreciated, that in many of the large hospitals a regular anesthetizer is employed, whose sole duty it is to administer the anesthetic for the attending surgeons. The management of an anesthetic has much to do with the allied subjects of the _preparation of the patient_, the _management of shock or reduced blood pressure_, and the _status lymphaticus_, which have already been considered. Fatal accidents from anesthetics are the appalling ones which have generally occurred in cases where it has been assumed that the patient is in good condition, and where neither preliminary examination nor preparation has been made. In the presence of unmistakable cardiac disease, or of great arterial tension, the surgeon may, by foreseeing the possibility of trouble, do much to prevent it; but when an apparently healthy individual is placed upon the operating table without attention to these matters it may happen that his heart will stop as suddenly and unexpectedly as though it had been transfixed. In other words, the accidents of anesthesia usually occur when least expected; on the other hand, accidents will be few and far between when all cases are handled as though promising to be severe ones. The odor of most anesthetics is so distasteful to patients that they inhale at first with difficulty and with signs of irritation. Much of this can be guarded against by spraying the nasopharynx with a 1 or 2 per cent. solution of cocaine. This expedient will make anesthesia much easier for them. The mouth should be examined; all false teeth or foreign bodies, such as pins, chewing-gum, etc., should be removed. Unpleasant burning of the sensitive mucosa of the nose and lips may be avoided by anointing these parts with cold cream. Attention should be given to the avoidance of irritation of the eyes or the careless escape of an anesthetic into the conjunctival sac; with a struggling patient, or a careless administrator, this may easily happen.