BROKEN WIND 



gently yet thoroughly sponged with cold water, as cold as 

 can be borne, in order to check any bleeding and to cleanse 

 the wound, the water being allowed to trickle over the injury 

 from above and not dabbed on if it is a severe cut. Any 

 rough pieces of skin which may be hanging to the sides 

 should be left on, as if they are removed the healing process 

 will be retarded, but they should be placed as nearly as possible 

 in their former positions. Then the wound may be frequently 

 lightly sponged with a lotion made up of tincture of arnica, 

 one dram, water, half a pint, after which it may have a covering 

 of antiseptic lint, kept in its position by a bandage in figure of 

 eight. Should the injury be severe, the horse must be slung, 

 and a veterinary surgeon sent for. (See Cuts, Slings.) 



Broken Wind is a term that is often unjustly applied 

 to a hard blower, but when a horse is really afflicted 

 by this form of unsoundness, his case may practically be 

 regarded as incurable, though he still may be able to per- 

 form some sort of work. Broken wind is usually preceded 

 by a short, chronic cough, the existence of which should 

 prepare the owner of the animal for what is coming, 

 though possibly, if taken in time, it may be alleviated. The 

 symptoms of broken wind are unmistakable, as though the 

 affected horse can inhale air easily and smoothly enough, 

 the action of breathing it out is jerky and usually consists 

 of two distinct efforts. If the flanks are watched carefully 

 during the process of expiration the irregularity is clearly 

 noticeable, and in many cases it is distinctly obvious whilst 

 the animal is quiet, though naturally it is more marked after 

 he has been made to exert himself The causes of broken 

 wind are principally over-working a horse at a fast rate when 

 he is unfit, and a course of improper feeding, such as mouldy 

 or dusty hay. 



Treatment. — There is practically no cure for broken wind, 

 but relief may be gained by limiting the supply of water and 

 by feeding the horse frequently and in small quantities upon 

 grain, bran, and chaff that has been well damped — dry food, 



49 D 



