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In the same way that 20th century surgeons have increasingly specialised in operating on body parts even to the extent of concentrating on one particular surgical procedure, so have anaesthetists followed. Anaesthetists of the 1990s took responsibility for the patient's well-being from induction of anaesthesia to the ‘recovery' stage. This included monitoring of heart, pulse and blood pressure, monitoring of blood gases, controlling depth and duration of anaesthesia, and pain management. Monitoring equipment is now an integral part of anaesthetic equipment as in this portrayal of an operating theatre and anaesthetist.

Lithograph printed in 6 colours by Virginia Powell, London c. 1996.