352 BROKEN WIND. 



their existence affects the legal soundness of horses, so he 

 will be very often forced to decide peremptorily on very 

 slight appearances. To detect thick wind it is' generally 

 necessary that some time be spent with the horse ; and it 

 is often requisite that he should be examined under various 

 circumstances. Does he bear moderate exercise imme- 

 diately after eating or drinking without blowing high? 

 Does he cough in so doing, or is he observed to do it on 

 every change of position, or temperature ; particularly after 

 drinking? And does he when in the stable, field, or when 

 completely at rest, occasionally cough short, hollow, and 

 not followed by that firm effort we call clearing ? In such 

 a case the horse has chronic cough ; and as his breathing is 

 more or less accelerated beyond the ordinary standard, he 

 is more or less thick winded also. Roaring may be imme- 

 diately detected by a brisk gallop ; but the person who is 

 to judge of its existence should be on the ground. We have 

 seen horses whipped into a momentary cessation of the 

 roaring, therefore they should pass him several times, but 

 without restraint ; and the veterinary surgeon should place 

 his ear against the trachea as soon as the animal is pulled 

 up. 



Broken wind can hardly be mistaken ; the cough accom- 

 panying it conveys a peculiar sound ; it is short, vibrates 

 within. The breathing is hurried in the extreme by exer- 

 tion, and is remarkable by being made up of three efforts 

 instead of two. In the first, the air is drawn in natu- 

 rally, and the flanks fill up as usual; but in the next, 

 after the ribs have acted, the rising of the flanks to 

 expel the air is most unusual ; for it is not done with a 

 gradual contraction of the muscles, but takes place at once 

 by a momentary effort, and then a third action ensues, 

 which is a slow but strong drawing up of the muscles of 

 the belly, as though to force out remaining air. Broken- 

 winded horses are also observed to be pecuharly greedy 

 after water : and a little hurried motion distends the nos- 

 trils, and produces evident distress. Rogues at country fairs 

 have a method of setting broken wind ; and of giving the 

 horse affected something, which for a time shall render the 

 animal superior to his symptoms, or cause him to conceal 

 them. Fat, shot, opium, and in short any substance that 



