Abstract: Electro-surgical pencils are used with a variety of commercially available machines which produce two different types of electrical impulses--one for cutting, the other for cauterizing. In the system of this invention there is a pencil having an electrode received therein (preferably the electrode being reversible to expose two different working ends) and having a finger-actuated, toggle-type switch in the pencil to selectively connect either of the types of electrical impulses to the electrode. A cord having at least three conductors extends from the switch to an adapter which is a multi-contact plug fitting into a matching socket in the machine or permanently attached to the machine. The end of the cord remote from the pencil is received in the adapter and electrical contact with the conductors is expeditiously established. Preferably, the pencil is used with a cup attached to a surgical drape for convenient deposit between uses.