Equipment has been developed for the automatic infusion of oxytocin using a positive pressure peristaltic pump. The automatic setting starts the infusion at 1 milliunit of oxytocin per minute and doubles the dose every 12.5 minutes. When contractions are of adequate strength and frequency, the "manual" control is used to maintain the oxytocin dose rate, and for immediate and accurate adjustment to any required level. Using this equipment in a series of 130 cases, the average induction-delivery interval was less than 8 hours. Continuous records of amniotic fluid pressure and fetal electrocardiography showed normal uterine contractions and fetal heart rate patterns.