The importance of respiratory disease in medicine is emphasized. One hundred and thirtyfive cases were referred to the Respiratory Unit in a 5-month period. These cases 'have been analysed in terms of age, sex and major disease. Fifty-six patients,of whom 47 had intermittent positive pressure respiration, required treatment in an intensive care unit. Twenty-two patients died in the intensive care unit-a mortality rate of 39%. Also discussed and briefly illustrated are problems of intermittent positive pressure respiration, tracheostomy and endotracheal intubation, cardiac arrhythmias, oxygen toxicity, fat embolism and tetanus