Abstract: A system for applying to a person's respiratory system pressure pulses having a high energy density. The system includes a manifold for applying gas pulses to the mouth or throat of a person, a first conduit for supplying gas from a gas source to the manifold, and a first valve disposed on the conduit adjacent to the manifold for interrupting the flow of gas through the conduit to thereby produce gas pressure pulses which flow to the manifold and then to the person. A second conduit coupled between the gas source and the manifold is also provided. A second valve is disposed in the second conduit to normally block the flow of gas therethrough and for periodically opening to allow gas to flow to the manifold. A pressure transducer is disposed between the second valve and the manifold for detecting the pressure in the manifold and for supplying a signal to the gas source indicating what the pressure in the manifold is.