Morphine sulphate 5 mg and placebo administered epidura//y after caesarean section under epidural analgesia were compared in a double-blind fashion. Morphine was significantly superior to placebo for pain relief, duration of pain relief, and reduction of parenteral narcotic requirements. Pruritis was the most commonly encountered sideeffect. There was no statistical difference between morphine and placebo in the incidence of urinary catheterisation, vomiting, nausea, dizziness or drowsiness. No serious respiratory depression requiring treatment was observed.