1.92 



THE MODERN SYSTEiM 



and crackJe under the hand. They are also in 

 every instance of a more pale colour tlian have 

 occurred in natural cas"s, where they have 

 been almost white, which may be accounted 

 for, by their disorganization having injured 

 their vascularity. 



The invariable presence of emphysema in 

 these cases being fully established, it is not to 

 be wondered at that a cure has never been 

 established for broken wind. Some writers 

 have dared to say, there may be a possibility 

 of cure, but without making mention of the 

 curative means ; I shall in consequence give 

 my opinion of the best means of relieving the 

 disease, without any pretensions to a cure. 



Broken wind may easily be discovered from 

 the peculiar action occasioned by the inspira- 

 tion and expiration of air from the lungs. The 

 cough also which accompanies it is of a pecu- 

 liar kind, and seems to be forced out with a 

 kind of o:runting noise. The difference be- 

 tween the inspirations is most remarkable, but 

 easily accounted for. Inspiration, or the act 

 of drawing in the breath, is affected with the 

 ordinary ease ; but the extravasated air al- 

 ready diffused through the cellular tissue, by 

 means already explained, is still the real 

 cause of this difficulty, by offering a resistance 

 to the complete ejection of the atmospheric 

 air contained in the bronchial cells. Conse- 

 quently, the broken-winded Horse inspires 

 with ease, but expires with a protracted and 

 great effort, by means of very forcible con- 

 tractions of his abdominal muscles. The 

 expiration is performed by two apparent 

 efforts, in one of which the usual muscles 

 operate, and in the other the auxiliary mus- 

 cles, particularly the abdominal ones, are put 

 on the stretch to complete the expulsion more 

 P'^rfrcUy ; allor which the flank fails with 



peculiar force, when these muscles resume 

 their relaxations. 



Horses affected may receive a palliative to 

 the distress they frequently labour under, but 

 a perfect cure is impossible ; and the best 

 remedy I have been able to discover to re- 

 lieve broken wind is the following, and always 

 ought to be kept in the stable, especially if 

 the Horse may be required to do some extra 

 work. 



FOR BROKEN WIND, 



Take Gum galbanium - - 2 ounces. 

 Amoniacum - - . 2 do. 

 Assafoetida - - - 2 do. 

 Antimony - _ _ 4 do. 

 Form into a mass with honey. 



Divide into twelve, and give one occa''«ion- 

 ally ; this will greatly relieve the wind, 

 and occasion the Horse to perform his work 

 with apparent ease, though troubled with so 

 unfortunate a disease. 



Horses from their prone position, are more 

 liable to pursiveness and broken wind ; for, 

 in Horses the intestines press much against 

 the diaphragm or midriff, and in consequence, 

 on the lungs, thereby causing the oppression 

 of the breathing. One remedy in this case is, 

 having particular care to the exercise and feed 

 of broken- winded Horses. The exercise should 

 be gentle, and moderate as to its continuance. 

 The food should be always the best of the 

 respective sorts, and frequently given in small 

 quantities, that the stomach may never b# 

 too full. All dry food, such as corn, hay, braa 

 &c., should always be moistened with water 

 consequently, preventing tftat thirst which 

 generally attends this affection ; particularly 

 the hay, the flavour of which is much im- 

 proved by damping, or sprinkling it with 



