74 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



BROKEN WIND. 



Symptoms. — A marked distinction prevails between this 

 disease and thick wind. In the latter the inspirations and 

 expirations are of uniform length and duration ; while in 

 broken wind, for one inspiration two expirations are re- 

 quired, which is plainly indicated by the motion of the 

 flanks. This is caused by the rupture or union of several of 

 AiQ air-cells, which renders the cavities of the lungs more 

 complicated, and hence requires that double action to clear 

 off the carbonized air. It may be easily conceived that 

 when the lungs are expanded the air will rush in readily 

 enough, and one exertion of the muscles of respiration is 

 sufficient to expel the carbonized air ; but when these cells 

 have become united, the cavity of the lung is so irregular 

 and many-cornered, that air is with difficulty expelled from 

 them, and therefore two efforts are required to effect it. 



Broken wind is generally accompanied by a hard, dry, 

 husky cough, differing completely in its character from that 

 of a common cold. 



Causes. — This disease may take place without any visible 

 disordered condition in a horse. Voracious feeding may 

 produce it, or food taken hastily and in too large quantities 

 into the stomach, particularly coarse hay and straw, which, 

 by distending the stomach beyond the natural limits, presses 

 against the lungs and prevents their free action. Coarse 

 and bulky food being frequently used, is extremely apt to 

 produce broken wind, from the effect just mentioned. The 

 constrained action of the lungs, from the frequently dis- 

 tended stomach, is apt to burst the air-cells, and thus lay 

 the foundation of an incurable disease. 



This complaint may, however, be generally traced to 

 previous inflammation, and the consequent alterations of 



