OF FARRIERY. 



191 



The proximate causes are more obscure, but 

 the examination of morbid subjects, in most 

 instances, shews some disorganization in the 

 structure of the kmgs. It is notwithstanding, 

 as I have before stated, that a thickening of 

 the minute air-cells are the most frequent 

 cause of this disease. A deranged state of 

 the kings, and especially if the atmosphere is 

 at all thick and heavy, will give rise to thick 

 wind. The most usual appearance, however, 

 is a morbid alteration in the minute bronchial 

 ramifications of the blood-vessels, occasioned 

 either by a thickening of their own mem- 

 branous structure, or by a deposit of coagu- 

 lable lymph within them, by which means their 

 capacity becomes lessened ; consequently the 

 air-passages are much smaller than in a 

 natural state, that difficulty of respiration is 

 produced, called foggy, or thick-winded. 



Thick wind is easily discovered by any 

 person at all acquainted with Horses, and the 

 rationale by which they are produced, is not 

 difficult to explain. The capacity of the air- 

 cells being diminished, renders it necessary 

 for the air to be more frequently taken in ; 

 because being acted on by a less surface, and 

 also the air not being capable, from the dimi- 

 nished quantity, of extracting that portion of 

 oxygen from the blood, respiration becomes 

 partially impeded ; consequently, the air-cells 

 are not sufficiently expanded. A sense of 

 fulness in the right side of the heart induces 

 the animal to make hasty respirations, to 

 remedy the defect, and consequently hasty 

 expirations ; the force with which these ope- 

 rate, occasions the sound so well known as 

 the distins^uishins: mark of thick wind. Thick 

 wind often degenerates into broken wind, and 

 this we will explain when on that article. 



For the treatment of Horses affected with 



thick wind, there is no better remedy than 

 the cordial pectoral hall (see list of medicines 

 at the end of the work,) given occasionally in 

 the morning, when the affection appears to 

 distress the animal more than usual. 



BROKEN WIND. 



This affection of the lungs and air-passages 

 of the Horse, have a long time puzzled both 

 Ens:li-<h as well as French writers on veterin- 

 ary subjects, but without either being satisfied, 

 until that all-penetrating genius of Professor 

 Coleman, of the Royal Veterinary College, 

 threw a light on the subject before unknown : 

 and the theory is a correct one Mr. Coleman 

 discovered it to be a rupture of the air-cells of 

 the luno-s, so that the thin membrane cover- 

 ins: the lunars, becomes raised up in small 

 bladders, wherever the rupture takes place. 

 This opinion has been thoroughly proved, on 

 examination after death, in such subjects as had 

 been affected with the complaint when living. 

 The alteration in the structure of the broken- 

 winded lunz is in general very considerable. It 

 has been as erted that in a very few instances 

 no change whatever has been detected, and 

 the lungs have had but little or no morbid 

 appearance ; but this I should very much 

 doubt, having dissected several Horses af- 

 fected with broken wind, and having examined 

 the luns:s minutely, I have always found great 

 derano-ement of the lungs. This alteration 

 consists principally in an emphysematous state, 

 dependent on the air as above stated, being 

 extravasated not only throughout the paren- 

 chyma in minute air-bubbles, but also ex- 

 tended over the thin covering of the lungs 

 This extravasation is, in most cases, so com- 

 plete, as to make the lungs specifically lighter 

 than ordinary, and to make them crepitate 



