REPRINTED EROM 
University Medical Magazine, 
November, 1890. 
CLINICAL NOTES IN RESPIRATORY THERAPEUTICS. 
111. 
Continuous Inhalation from the Yeo Respirator. 
One of the most useful, as it is one of the simplest, devices for the inspira- 
tion of medicinal vapors is the little perforated zinc respirator devised by Dr. J. 
Burney Yeo, of London, and described by him in the British Medical Journal, 
Juty ist, 1882. 
In New York, through no fault I am sure, of my friend Dr. Beverly 
Robinson—this little instrument is erroneously called “Robinson’s Inhaler.” 
It is, however, as already stated, the device of Dr. Burney 
Yeo, of London. Prof. J. Solis-Cohen and I began using 
it immediately after Dr. Yeo’s publication, and our results 
after two years’ experience were reported by me in The 
Medical News, October nth, 1884. 
It is, as will be seen from the illustration, simply a 
little cage of perforated zinc bound with cloth or chamois- 
skin, carrying a sponge and fitted with elastic loops to 
attach it around the ears, so that it fits over the nose and mouth. The 
respired air becomes impregnated with the vapor of any volatile medica- 
ment dropped upon the sponge and as the little machine, being light and 
cleanly, can be worn for prolonged periods, a continuous medication of the 
respiratory tract is thus effected. The apparatus was first made for us after a CLINICAL NOTES IN RESPIRATORY THERAPEUTICS. 
pattern kindly forwarded by Dr. Yeo, and I am informed that thousands of 
them have been sent all over the United States and Canada since our report in 
1884 made the profession on this side of the water acquainted with Dr. Yeo’s 
most admirable device. 
Specimen formulae of the solutions most generally useful are as follows : 
B 
Creasoti (Beechwood), 
Eucalyptol (puriss.), 
Terebenis, 
Sig.—For inhalation, twenty drops to be placed on sponge of Yeo respirator and 
renewed as necessary. 
Chloroformi 
aa fgij. 
M. 
B 
Thymol, 
Alcohol, 
3J 
Sig.—For inhalation, ten to fifteen drops on sponge of Yeo respirator, etc. 
Spts. chloroform!, 
aa 
M. 
Among other medicaments which may be used singly or in combination, 
are alcoholic solutions of menthol, compound tincture of benzoin, oil of turpen- 
tine, oil of pine, (sylvestris or pumilon), and, indeed, all terebinthinates, bal- 
samics and essential oils. A very useful drug for inhalation in this way is 
ethyl iodide. It may be used singly or in combination. A favorite formula in 
the Medical Clinic of the Jefferson Medical College Hospital, during my term of 
service there, was the following ; 
B 
Creasoti (Beechwood), 
Ethyli iodidi, 
Terebenis, 
Sig.—For inhalation, twenty drops on sponge of Yeo respirator. 
Alcohol, 
aa f3ij. 
M. 
In cases of syphilitic disease of any portion of the air passages ethyl iodide 
is particularly applicable, but it is often of great use in non-syphilitic phthisis, 
in simple bronchitis, in bronchorrhoea and in chronic catarrhal pneumonia. It 
may produce systemic effects, even iodism, if pushed sufficiently. Creasote and 
thymol find their principal indication in phthisis. Terebene, eucalyptol and the 
like, are useful in subacute and chronic bronchitis ; and when used in phthisis 
their principal benefit is from their influence upon collateral inflammations. Com- 
pound tincture of benzoin is advantageous in acute cases of bronchitis and laryn- 
gitis, but steam inhalations are to be preferred in acute conditions, as set 
forth in the first of this series of clinical notes. Alcohol is used as a solvent 
and diluent. Chloroform and its solution in alcohol are useful in allaying irri- 
tative cough, and in mitigating the sharpness of the more pungent vapors— 
thymol, eucalyptol, menthol, and some specimens of terebene. In some cases 
chloroform alone may be employed, especially at night, to secure relief from 
useless cough which prevents sleep. From five to fifteen drops is usually a 
sufficient dose. 
In making use of the respirator the sponge should be moistened with warm 
water, all excess of water being removed by squeezing. The medicinal liquor 
s then dropped upon it, and need rarely be renewed in less than eight or ten CLINICAL NOTES IN RESPIRATORY THERAPEUTICS. 
3 
hours, sometimes not for twelve hours. The respirator should be worn as often 
as possible during the twenty-four hours, and as long as possible at a time. 
Many patients can comfortably sleep with the respirator in position. The 
object is to secure a mild and continuous topical medication. 
Visiting Physician, Philadelphia Hospital. 
Solomon Solis-Cohln, M.D.,