BROKEN WIND. 351 



a spasm. An auxiliary symptom is the peculiar flatulence 

 of every broken-winded horse ; which is strikingly charac- 

 teristic of that disordered state of digestion so common in 

 these cases, and of that constant thirst also which is inva- 

 riably present. 



The treatment of broken wind can seldom be more than 

 palliative. Whatever increases the distention of the stomach 

 and bowels, aggravates the complaint by increasing the diffi- 

 culty of expanding the lungs. Therefore, avoid stimulants, 

 and promote regular evacuations ; abstain from over- dis- 

 tention of the lungs by too violent and too sudden exer- 

 tions, particularly after eating. By carefully attending to 

 these principal indications, a broken-winded horse may be 

 rendered comfortable to himself and useful to his owner. 

 The food should be regularly given in moderate quantities 

 only ; but most particularly it should be of such a nature 

 as will contain much nutriment in a small space : hence 

 corn is more proper than hay, and, above all, a manger 

 food composed of one part bran, one part bruised beans, 

 and two parts bruised oats, agree particularly well, if given 

 somewhat moistened. On a quantity of this food no horse 

 will need hay. When they can be got, give also carrots, 

 mangel wurzel, Swedish turnips, parsneps, or cooked pota- 

 toes, which feeding will be found to combine both medicine 

 and nutriment, and render little water necessary. Turning 

 out to grass commonly aggravates the symptoms of broken 

 wind ; and a neglect of moderate exercise also aggravates 

 the complaint : water should be sparingly given, particu- 

 larly in the working hours ; at night, a moderate quantity 

 should be allowed, but on no account let the broken- winded 

 horse drink his fill at a pond or trough. Medicinally, 

 benefit has been received from daily small doses of foxglove ; 

 under these circumstances it has been given to the amount 

 of a scruple of the drug ; and a piece of rock-salt placed in 

 the manger, has seemed to do some good. 



MODES OF DISTINGUISHING SOUNDNESS AND UNSOUNDNESS 

 OF THE WIND. 



These various affections of the loind are very important 

 to the veterinarian, nor can he be too well informed of the 

 appearances that characterize each distinctly; because, as 



