28 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 



are much larger than they ought to be, and at that time riding sharply 

 is enough to force the lungs so hard against the midriff as to force a 

 passage through it.* 



A few years back some people pretended to cure the complaint by 

 boring ; but none were ever cured by it yet, nor ever will be. They 

 made a hole above the fundament, to let out the wind that was forced 

 through the midriff into the bowels ; and this caused the horse to be 

 continually discharging wind out of the place; so that the pretended 

 cure was worse than the disease. 



Dissections of horses that have died broken-winded, have sufficiently 

 proved the truth of the above observations ; and that not only the 

 lungs, together with the heart and its bag, were preternaturally large, 

 but also the membrane which divides the chest ; and that the midriff 

 was remarkably thin. In some horses the disproportion has been so 

 great that the heart and lungs have been almost twice their natural 

 size, yet perfectly sound: and without any ulceration whatever, or 

 the least defect in the windpipe or in its glands. 



From these observations it abundantly appears, that the enormous 

 size of the lungs, and other contents of the chest, by hindering the free 

 action of the midriff, is the principal cause of this disorder ; and as the 

 lungs are found much more fleshy than usual, they must consequently 

 have lost a great part of their spring and tone. 



Therefore, as this disorder is caused by the largeness of the lungs, 

 we may conclude that it is one of those diseases which cannot be cured 

 by art ; and that the boasting of those who pretend to cure it are built 

 on a sandy foundation. They may indeed relieve the complaint, but 

 will never cure it, for an absolute cure is not in the power of any hu- 

 man being. All that I can do is to lay down some rules which have 

 a great tendency to prevent this'disorder, if pursued in time; and some 

 remedies that will afford relief when it has taken place, and render 

 the horse capable of performing good service, notwithstanding his 

 misfortune. 



Symptoms. — The first symptom of a Broken Wind is an obstinate 

 dry cough, which is neither attended with sickness nor loss of appe- 

 tite ; but, on the contrary, with a disposition to foul feeding, eating the 

 litter, and drinking large quantities of water. 



Prevention. — When a horse is troubled with an. obstinate dry 

 cough, and eats his litter, it will be necessary to bleed him, and to give 

 him the mercurial physic already prescribed, repeating it two or three 

 times. Afterwards give the following balls for some time, which have 

 been found of great service : 



4 oz. of Gum Ammoniacum. 



4 do. Galbanum. 



4 do. Assafoetida. 



4 do. Squills. 



i do. Saffron. 



6 drams of Cinnabar of Antimony. 



Make the whole up into balls with honey and a little liquorice 



* The Midriff, or Diaphragm, is that which is commonly called the Skirts, and 

 separates the Chest (where the lungs lie) from the Bowels. 



