Continuous caudal anesthesia has a place in obstetrics. There are some dangers and contraindications to this method. Cautious but repeated experiences with the method are desirable to evaluate it. These preliminary observations with some of the advantages and disadvantages are presented in the hope that others interested in this field may become aware of our experience. In this series of 20 patients there were 3 failures; 1 of these presented a typical shock reaction. TECHNIC The same technic of administration was employed as originally described by Edwards and Hingson1with the precaution of waiting ten minutes after a test injection of 8 cc. (90 mg.) of a 1.5 per cent solution of metycaine (γ-[2-methylpiperidine]-propanol hydrochloride).2This caution was exercised to make certain that the solution did not enter the subarachnoid space. If signs of spinal anesthesia did not develop, the remainder of the initial 30 cc. dose (22