[The history of the Society for Anesthesiology and Intensive Therapy of the DDR].

In 1960 the first joined meeting of East German anaesthetists took place and in 1964 the "Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy of the German Democratic Republic" was founded. Up to its dissolution 26 years later and the 23rd of October 1990, ten congresses with international participation, 10 workshops an 5 bilateral symposia were held. The activities of the board were supplemented by 11 special working-groups. Annually various special in-service courses were held. In 1989 the "Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy of the German Democratic Republic" hat 2,201 members including 1,327 anaesthetists. The former members of the "Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy of the German Democratic Republic" are now joining the "German Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Medicine". As far as future activities are concerned, the traditional relations with the East European neighbour societies should be given special attention.