350 BROKEN WIND. 



which, with the exception of their lighter colour, and 

 greater bulk than natural, cannot well be distinguished 

 from the sound lung, although they crepitate or crackle 

 when pressed by the hand. It must, however, be acknow- 

 ledged, that it is seldom they are seen even thus free from 

 disease ; for if not emphysematous, they are hepatized, or 

 congested; sometimes tubercular. From two cases cited 

 by Mr. Percivall, emphysema of the lungs can also exist 

 without broken wind. It appears likely that rupture of 

 the air-cells is the cause of broken wind, because it is not 

 always sudden, but gives some years of a warning cough, 

 or of thick-winded wheeze. Although an emphysematous 

 state of the lungs is common, it is by no means' constant, 

 and consequently will not afford a structural solution of 

 this difficulty. 



There is another view of the cause of this disease, namely, 

 that it depends upon derangement of the digestive canal ; 

 and if the irritability of the larynx favours the opinion 

 advanced with respect to the lungs, the constant passing of 

 flatus supports the other conjecture. Horses with broken 

 wind will eat almost any thing, which again is opposed to 

 the conclusion that the lungs are the sole seat of the dis- 

 order. The belly is enlarged, the stomach distended, and 

 its coats much thinned, which last-named facts would seem 

 to decide the question. But the truth is, broken wind 

 appears to be a universal derangem.ent, and it is not one 

 structure that suffers, but the entire body undergoes more 

 or less alteration. 



The symptoms of this complaint are well marked : the 

 cough and the manner of respiration may be considered as 

 conclusive. The sound emitted by the cough is peculiar, 

 and is often forced out with a kind of grunt, in a short but 

 vibrating feeble tone compared with the usual cough of 

 sound-winded horses. The respiration is conducted with a 

 remarkable difference between the inspirations and expira- 

 tions. Inspiration is effected quickly ; and the lengthened 

 laborious strain of expiration, which is performed by two 

 distinct efforts, in one of which the usual muscles operate ; 

 and in the other the abdominal muscles come into violent 

 action, to complete the expulsion ; after which the flanks 

 fall with peculiar force, and the air is again inspired as by 



