The sedative effects of Mandrax, a combination of methaqualone 250 mg with diphenhydramine 25 mg, have been studied in gynaecological patients undergoing minor surgical operations using the scoring system previously described. Oral administration of one tablet of Mandrax to each patient as premedication provided adequate sedation for up to 5 hours. The degree of sedation produced was comparable to that previously found with papaveretum 20 mg and hyoscine 0.4 mg. As after other non-analgesic sedatives, postoperative pain produced restlessness. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure were minimal and nausea and vomiting were absent pre-operatively and rare post-operatively.