Eighty unpremedicated patients undergoing dilatation and curettage were randomly allocated to receive induction of anaesthesia with either Althesin or thiopentone prior to maintenance with nitrous oxide, oxygen and halothane. Patients in each group were divided into those under 50 years ('young') or over 50 years ('old'). Recovery was assessed by the time taken to opening their eyes, to give correct date of birth and to achieve their baseline ability of manipulative skill with a children's post box toy. There was no difference in the time taken to open eyes or give correct birth date whether the patients received Althesin or thiopentone, or whether they were 'young' or 'old'. An age-related difference emerged with the post box test in patients who had received thiopentone, the older patients recovery time being increased from 28.5 minutes to 45.1 minutes. There was no difference between the old and young patients who received Althesin in the time taken to complete the post box test.