The incidence of sickness (retching and emesis) during spinal anaesthesia was observed in one hundred and thirty-three females undergoing abdominal hysterectomy and perineal operations. There was no significant difference in the incidence between patients having intra-abdominal or extra-abdominal operations. Neither pethidine nor atropine premedication had a significant effect. Chlorpromazine premedication and 100 per cent oxygen inhalation both significantly lowered the incidence of sickness. The incidence in patients whose systolic pressures fell below 80 mm Hg was significantly higher than when pressures remained above this level. Hypoxia of the vomiting centre may be an important factor in the occurrence of emesis during spinal anaesthesia.

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