In 1767 Dr Philip Stern published a pamphlet entitled “Medical Advice to the Consumptive and Asthmatic People of England”.  His advice was directed to the public rather than his fellow doctors, perhaps for this reason his pamphlet was largely overlooked by the medical community. Stern was a true pioneer of inhalation, having reviewed the low efficacy of orally administered medicines, he stated “… the only possible way of applying medicines directly to the lungs, is through the windpipe.”

He experimented with antiseptic, antispasmodic, attenuating and balsamic medicines - preferring balsam of Gilead, of Copaiba, of Peru, of Tolu and of Canada as well as dry balsams such as Myrrh, Labdanum and Terpentine.  He kept his recipes secret and supplied his medicine for six shillings a bottle.  He argued that if he published his recipe that people would not value it and eventually neglect it.  Dr Stern’s Balsamic Aether was available from a number of pharmacies in London.

Stern described his pewter vessel as a ‘simple machine’ - it was used with half a pint of boiling water to which the medicine was added. The word ‘Inhaler’ was invented a few years later by Dr John Mudge.

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