THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 107 



contracted or lessened in calibre, either from contraction of their 

 tubes or thickening of their lining membranes ; and this state of 

 the parts is all that we require to explain the peculiar phenomena 

 of abdominal respiration. 



Yet there are various states and conditions of the respiratory 

 apparatus which may give rise to broken wind ; in fact, any 

 organic change that permits dilatation of the air cells and bronchial 

 tubes, without a corresponding enlargement of the upper air 

 passages, they retaining their original size, may result in broken 

 wind. In some cases the lungs are emphysematose — their 

 substance inflated with the gases of the body, without perceptible 

 rupture of parenchyma ; a state resembling that known as pneu- 

 matosis, a collection of air under the cellular tissue of the skin ; 

 they are then specifically lighter, and larger, than in their natural 

 state. In such cases we often find the diaphragm in a state of 

 atrophy, pale and attenuated, from over distention and extra 

 work. The direct causes of heaves or broken wind are over- 

 exertion and indigestion. 



Treatment. — The object is to improve the patient's health ; 

 and if we can do this successfully, an improvement in a curable 

 case generally follows. We must restore digestion in order to 

 cure indigestion, and in this view we give aromatic tonics ; the 

 following we have used with considerable success : — 

 Tincture of aromatic sulphuric acid. 



Written for, by physicians, thus : — 



R. 



Tr. acid sulph. aro. 



Dose, one drachm in a pint of water, night and morning. Most 

 animals, however, will drink it from a bucket. In the mean time 

 we put the animal on a course of the following alterative medi- 

 cine : Powdered ginger, gentian, sulphur, salt, cream of tartar, 

 charcoal, licorice, elecampane, caraway seeds, and balm of Gilead 

 buds, (chopped fine,) equal parts. Dose, one ounce every night 

 in the food. 



Changes in diet, exercise, and management, calculated to fulfil 

 the indications alluded to above, are indispensable. So soon as 

 considerable improvement is perceptible, the aromatic tincture 



