The Wind. 295 



be modified and adapted to the peculiarity of the 

 structure or probably existing disease. The next 

 important thing to study is the wind, for it is 

 this point that the coper knows well how to 

 patch up for twenty-four hours, which is long 

 enough for his purpose; study all that I have 

 said upon the different complaints of the lungs. 

 The wind may be tested by what is known as 

 coughing the horse, that is, by pinching the 

 windpipe immediately behind the jaw. If the 

 horse gives a long sharp cough, it is an indica- 

 tion that it is sound in that respect ; but if the 

 cough be short and hollow, it may be inferred 

 that the horse has unsound lungs. Let gentle 

 pressure of the windpipe be frequently repeated 

 in order to fully test this, and be sure to do 

 this with your own hand, as dealers know that 

 by compressing the windpipe with one hand and 

 the forefinger of the other, the horse is forced 

 to cough while doing so, and produces that shrill 

 sound considered a test for good wind, by the 

 air rushing through the limited aperture. Having 

 satisfied yourself in this respect, proceed to watch 

 the flanks in breathing ; if the belly of the animal 

 swells out and the inspirations and the expira- 

 tions are regular, it may be reasonably inferred 

 that the animal has good wind, and its lungs are 

 sound ; but if they are irregular and stop before 

 it is completed, with considerable drawing in of 

 the flanks extending up the sides so as to show 

 plainly the ribs, then it is certain that the horse 

 is unsound, or, as it is termed, broken-winded. 

 The third and final test is to trot the horse 



