Misuse of Inhaled Bronchodilator Agents.

In the course of doing simple lung-function tests on patients with chronic bronchitis, asthma, or emphysema it became clear that many of those using bronchodilator aerosols were not using them correctly. Since it seemed possible that such patients might not be gaining maximum benefit, and since the recently developed pressurized aerosols are expensive, it was thought reasonable to examine in more detail the use and effect of inhaled bronchodilators in out-patients routinely attending a chest department.