Only very few therapeutic modalities are used as extensively as mechanical ventilation in intensive care units, during anaesthesia and in emergency situations. Hence theoretical and practical knowledge in this technique had to be made available to workers in a number of medical specialities. In addition to anaesthetists, who are most familiar with artificial ventilation for historical and practical reasons, surgeons, internists, paediatricians and emergency physicians also need a foundation. Furthermore, the widespread application of this life-supporting method requires that paramedical...