As the usual bronchial provocation tests with methacholine are rather cumbersome and time-consuming, an attempt has been made to develop a short screening test for routine use. 143 patients with chronic cough or intermittent dyspnea received methacholine from a pressurised aerosol (puffer). The response was evaluated by spirometric measurement. Among 74 patients with chronic cough, 49 had a favourable response to methacholine. 93% were treated successfully with a bronchodilator. Among 62 patients with dyspnea, 45 reacted favourably to methacholine. All were treated successfully with bronchodilators. The short provocation test protocol with methacholine is easy and safe to perform. In cases of chronic cough and dyspnea it serves to detect hyperreactive patients who can benefit from bronchodilator treatment.