[Anesthesiologists and the Internet: the Internet and the Masui Discussion List].

The Internet is a global network that connects computer networks around the world. It enables inter-computer communication and the sharing of computer resources and information using the TCP/IP data transmission protocol. The Internet began in 1969 as the ARPAnet which connected just four computers, in California and Utah. On the Internet, computers are identified by their IP addresses and can exchange information with any other computers on the network. More than 120 Japanese anesthesiologists are subscribing to a mailing list, "the Masui Discussion List" on the Internet to exchange information with each other. They also send information to the world.