332 REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HOUSES. 



several attacks of catarrh, sore throat, or bronchitis. The term 

 is usually intended to define that state of the respiratory appa- 

 ratus in which a cough is present, not amenable to medical 

 treatment. In horse phraseology, " it is settled at the chest." 

 Most of such cases depend upon derangement of the nerves of 

 the throat, windpipe, &c, or upon some abnormal state of the 

 lungs — one produced by the effects of repeated colds on the air 

 passages, the other the result of similar effects on the lungs 

 themselves. The cough of broken Avind may be essentially 

 termed chronic, since the causes are eminently so, as well as the 

 disease broken wind itself. 



The Treatment must depend upon the nature and causes. 

 That form aiising from broken wind must be met with by reme- 

 dies for that disease. There are forms of chronic cough, which, 

 existing but for some short time, are to be removed, and after 

 several attacks of cold, &c, exhibit a hacking, hard, short, ex- 

 pulsive sound. In the first variety, relief will be speedily gained 

 by the use of carbonate of ammonia, two drams ; extract of bella- 

 donna, one dram, given each day for ten or twelve days. Haifa 

 dram of opium, calomel, camphor, and digitalis, have proved of 

 immense advantage in affording relief in the second or incurable 

 varieties. 



Thick Wind, Eoaring, Whistling, &c. — All these are 

 modifications of one state, or only differing in degree. 



The causes may be located, 1st, within the nostrils, in the 

 form of a polypi, or tumours of flesh and bone, occasioned by 

 blows, &c. These may be of various sizes and growth, and so 

 produce partial respiration through the nostril affected, and 

 totally prevent it. 2nd. The larynx or throat, through the 

 medium of the nerves going to the part, may be constricted or 

 malformed, owing to the preponderance of action in the muscles 

 of one side, and wasting of those on the opposite, thus producing 

 a twisted position and altered passage. 3rd. Thickening of the 

 lining membrane of the throat, windpipe, and bronchia. 4th. 

 Tumours on the epiglottis, or vocal chords. 5th. Malformation, 

 or fracture of the windpipe. 



Treatment consists in allowing free ventilation, proper food, 

 both as to cmality and quantity, removal of tumours, which may 

 be the cause ; but where the disease depends upon such lesions 

 as nervous derangement, construction, and malformation, it 

 clearly must be incurable. Various remedies have been tried, 

 with as varying success, and palliations may be found in wearing 

 a tube inserted in the windpipe in front of the neck, secured by 

 a strap ; pads also have been applied to the nostrils, which re- 

 move the tendency to produce the sounds characteristic of the 

 disease. The malady is usually of a chronic character ; the 

 causes which develop the sounds are protracted in their process 



