Aerosol therapy is widely accepted as a helpful adjunct in the control of asthmatic attacks. Numerous devices such as an electric motor compressor, vacuum cleaner, chemical propellant, tire pump, and hand bulbs have been described to power the nebulizer.1,2 Of these, the most practical, inexpensive, and easily maintained is a tire pump connected to a DeVilbiss No. 40 or Vaponefrin nebulizer.2 The purpose of this note is to call attention to a modification of this device which has been used in several chest clinics in this area and to relate some practical tips in its application.
The apparatus (Figure) consists of a tire pump connected to a 1 liter bottle † by means of the plastic tubing which in turn is connected to a DeVilbiss No. 40 nebulizer. A face mask is especially helpful in young children. Occasional strokes of the tire pump keep the bottle filled, thereby