184 THE HORSE. 



iieithe r of these appearances could be observed, the lining of the cells has 

 exhibited evident marks of inflammation, so that absolute pain prevented 

 the full expansion or contraction of the lungs. 



Thick-wind is often the forerunner of broken-wind. It is easy to under- 

 stand this : for if so much labour is necessary to contract the air-cells, and 

 to force out the wind, and the lungs work so rapidly and so violently in 

 effecting this, some of the cells, weakened by disease, will probably be 

 ruptured. 



U^ the treatment of thick-wind we have little to say. Attention to diet, 

 and the prevention of the overloading of the stomach, and the avoidance of 

 exercise soon after a meal, may in some degree palliate the disease, and so 

 may constant exercise, carried to the extent of the horse's power, without 

 too much distressing him. The capability of exertion will thus daily 

 improve, and the breathing of the horse will become freer and deeper. 

 This is the process of training the horse either for the chase or the course; 

 and this constitutes all the difference between a horse that has been well 

 and one that has been badly trained. 



BROKEN-WIND. 



This is easily distinguished from thick-wind. In thick-wind the breathing 

 is rapid and laborious, but the inspiration and expiration are equally so, and 

 occupy precisely the same time. In broken-wind the inspiration is per- 

 formed by one effort ; the expiration by two, which is plainly to be dis- 

 tinguished by observing the flanks, and which occupies double the time. 

 The reason of this may be easily stated. Broken-wind is the rupture or run 

 ning together of some of the air-cells. When the lungs are expanded, the 

 air will rush in easily enough, and one effort of the muscles of respiration is 

 sufficient for the purpose ; but when these cells have run into each other, 

 the cavity is so irregular, and contains so many corners and blind pouches, 

 that it is exceedingly diflicult to force it out again, and two efforts are 

 scarcely competent fully to effect it. 



This disease is also accompanied by a dry and husky cough of a peculiar 

 sound, which cannot easily be described, but it is recognised by every one 

 accustomed to horses. It is the consequence of thick-wind, and of those 

 alterations of structure consequent on inflammation. If a portion of the 

 lung be lost to the animal, and the same quantity of pure blood must be 

 supplied, while there is not the same surface to supply it, it is easy to sup- 

 pose, that, in the violent efforts which such a horse is compelled to make, 

 some of the cells may be broken. 



Broken wind may, however, occur without much previous disease. Sup- 

 pose a horse to be a gross feeder, and to have filled his stomach with straw 

 and hay, and provender that occupies a great bulk, and contains little nour- 

 ishment, the lungs are squeezed into a less than the natural compass. Let 

 the horse be now suddenly and smartly exercised ; more blood must be 

 purified, and in the violent effort to accomplish this, some of the cells give 

 way. Therefore we do not find broken-winded horses on the race-course; 

 tor although every exertion of speed is required from them, their food lies 

 in small compass, and the stomach is not distended, and the lungs have 

 room to play, and care is taken that their exertion shall be required when 

 the stomach is nearly empty. Carriage and coach-horses are seldom 

 broken-winded, unless they bring the disease to their work ; for they, too, 

 live principally on corn, and their work is regular, and care is taken that 

 they shall not be fed immediately before their work. The majority of 

 . horses thus affected come from the stables of those for whose use these 



