Abstract: An inhaler for inhalation of a medicament from a pierced capsule has a swirling or emptying chamber where the capsule is emptied by inhalation action of an operator. A rotary magazine for a multi-unit does inhaler which holds a number of capsules containing a medicament in a number of recesses arranged around the periphery of the magazine. The capsules are held in place by pins or plugs at both ends. Either the capsules are pierced before being loaded into the magazine or they are pierced by the pins when they are loaded into the magazine. In either case a seal may be provided around the ends of the capsules near the holes which are plugged to keep them fresh. When a recess is rotated to a particular position within the magazine then it releases its capsule. Contents of a capsule are drawn out during inhalation when the capsule is in the swirling chamber. A motor can be used to operate the magazine.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of a compound of formula (I) or a stereoisomeric compound thereof, in which the 1,2-position is saturated or is a double bond; X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen or halogen; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or acyl; R.sup.2 is hydroxyl, acyloxy or oxo; and R.sup.3 is alkyl, by reacting a compound of formula (II) with an aldehyde R.sup.3 CHO in either phosphoric acid or about 60% to about 75% w/w sulphuric acid. Compounds of formula (I) are either pharmacologically active steroids or are intermediates in the synthesis of pharmacologically active steroids.