In 150 otherwise healthy gynaecological patients the sedative properties of a new benzodiazepine, lorazepam, have been studied using the standard scoring system. In the numbers tested lorazepam in doses of 2 mg and 4 mg, while showing an increase in sedative effect with increasing dosage, did not show a significant difference eidier between the two dose levels or between eidier dose and a tablet of Mandrax used as a standard for comparison. The drugs provided adequate pre-operative sedation over a period of 5 hours after oral administration widi minimal side effects. Further studies are indicated but diis preliminary investigation suggests that lorazepam should prove a useful addition to the drugs available for oral premedication