a display and control device for medical equipment , comprising several identically configured display / control units , which are located on a base unit . the base unit is equipped with a bus , to which the display / control units and components of the medical equipment are connected . the base unit comprises connection devices , which are used to connect the display / control units to the bus . once a display / control unit has been connected , a configuration unit transmits configuration data to the display / control unit and only then defines which function the display / control unit is to fulfill . this permits defective display / control units to be simply replaced . the construction of the display / control units is likewise simple and not susceptible to malfunctions .