46 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



and wet, and feeding on coarse, bulky, innutritions food, as 

 straw, etc. Severe exertion when the stomach and bowels 

 are full has a tendency to cause broken- wind ; however, if 

 the system generally is in good condition, severe exertion 

 will not produce the disease. 



SymjHoms. — The breathing is interfered with, and is 

 quickened ; slight heaving of the flanks can be noticed, 

 even when the animal is standing quietly, but is augmented 

 and better marked after exertion. The breathing is peculiar, 

 inasmuch as the inspiratory act is regular and performed 

 smoothly and easily, while expiration is difficult, and is 

 accomplished in a more or less violent manner, and by a sort 

 of double eff'ort, giving rise to the peculiar bellows-like 

 movement of the flanks. Another well-marked symptom 

 which is always present, and constitutes a valuable diagnos- 

 tic test of broken-wind, is a loud, prolonged, very deep, and 

 sonorous cough. When an animal coughs two or three 

 times every morning for several months, it is to be regarded 

 as a suspicious case, and one liable to degenerate into a case 

 of broken-wind. Horses aff'ected with this disease are, as a 

 rule, ravenous feeders, and are in many cases possessed of 

 deep and pendulous bellies, and are frequently troubled with 

 flatulency. It is not so very long ago that an artificial anus 

 was recommended for the purpose of getting rid of the 

 flatus. Under certain circumstances, all of the above 

 symptoms may become aggravated and increased in intensity. 

 Frequently a broken-winded mare will fail to breed. Cases 

 very much resembling pneumonia have occasionally come 

 under observation. This form is to be met with in preg- 

 nant mares, and is doubtless caused by pressure of the 

 foetus upon the respiratory organs ; but the pulse and cough 

 will undeceive. 



TreaimenL — If it is a well-marked case, a cure cannot be 

 performed ; but even the worst cases of broken-wind may be 



