A method of producing analgesia by means of a continuous epidural technique employing a single catheter in the upper lumbar epidural space was used in 213 obstetrical cases. In most cases the epidural anlgesia was begun at the time when the patient would have required analgesic medication. During the first stage of labour a small volume of local anaesthitic agent was used to block he sensory nerve supply of the uterus; a large volume provided adequate anaesthesia of the birth canal for delivery, usually by forceps. With this method good results were obtained in 85 per cent for analgesia in labour and in 80 per cent of those cases for delivery. The high incidence of inadequat: results was mainly due to errors in the management of the block, and comidenible improvement is possible by better coverage with trained anaesthetists, Failures and complications have been discussed. In over 80 per cent of our cases the epidural analgesic was maintained for less than 10 hours; the longest case lasted 26 hours,