This vapour inhaler from Paris was made to deliver medications such as menthol, benzoin and eucalyptus. The preparation was held on a sponge in a glass container within the chrome cannister and air was pumped through by the use of a hand pump built into the wooden box (operated up and down by the ring - see below).  The constructor (Charles Verdin was a well known constructor of respiratory equipment in the 1880s). The brochure claimed it to be superior because unlike the steam powered inhalers it did not take time to warm up, and because the flow of air was pumped it did not require any inspiratory effort from the patient. It cost 40 francs.