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The introduction of curare improved surgical relaxation and encouraged anaesthetists to enlarge their vision. They became interested in the pharmacologic properties of their drugs and the physiologic changes associated with paralysis, and this led naturally to their involvement in intensive care and respiratory physiology. Since 1942, more than 50 muscle relaxants have been introduced: the current emphasis is on the short- to intermediate-duration agents that allow rapid recovery and avoid the problems associated with residual curarization, but we still await a nondepolarizing replacement for suxamethonium.