Reduction of amnesic wakefulness during Caesarean section

Wakefulness during general anaesthesia was assessed by the isolated forearm technique in two groups of patients for Caesarean section. The anaesthetic was based on the use of oxygen 66%, nitrous oxide 33% and halothane 0.4% during the induction delivery interval. There was a highly significant reduction in wakefulness in the Group who received nitrous oxide at 66% for the first 3 min only. The wakefulness was amnesic in all cases.