Anesthetics come in many forms including creams that are rubbed into the skin, gases to be breathed in, and injections administered through a needle. They all are used to numb, dull, or stop pain for patients undergoing medical procedures. But how do they do that? Curious readers step into the operating room to find out the exact biological mechanisms that make anesthetics work. They'll explore the history of how they were developed. Side effects, safety, and future uses are also discussed in age-appropriate language and detail, accompanied by full-color photographs of realistic medical situations.