Pain and inflammation are inextricably linked phenomena. The observation that chemical mediators with combined pro-inflammatory, algesic and/or hyperalgesic activity occur at the site of inflammation is fundamental not only to our present understanding of the inflammatory process but also to our attempts to devise clini- cally useful anti-inflammatory therapies. Over a hundred years ago it was recognised that primary sensory neurones play a crucially important "dual" role in inflammation. By affecting the transfer of infor- mation from peripheral nociceptors to the spinal cord, a...