194 THE HORSE. 



neither of these appearances could be observed, the lining of the cells has 

 exhibited evident marks of inflammation, so that absolute pain prevented 

 the full expansion or contraction of the lun£^s. 



Thick-wind is often the forerunner of broken-wind. It is easy to under- 

 stand this : for if so much labour is necessary to contract the air-cells, and 

 to force out the wind, and the lungs work so rapidly and so violently in 

 effecting this, some of the cells, weakened by disease, will probably be 

 ruptured. 



Of the treatment of thick- wind we have little to say. Attention to diet, 

 and the prevention of the overloading of the stomach, and the avoidance 

 of exercise soon after a meal, may in some degree palliate the disease, and 

 so may constant exercise, carried to the extent of the horse's power, without 

 too much distressing him. The capability of exertion will thus daily im- 

 prove, and the breathing of the horse will become freer and deeper. This 

 is the process of training a horse either for the chase or the course ; and 

 this constitutes all the difference between a horse that has been well and 

 one that has been badly trained. 



- BROKEN-WIND. 



This is easily distinguished from thick-wind. In thick-wind the breathing 

 is rapid and laborious, but the inspiration and expiration are equally so, 

 and occupy precisely the same time. In broken-wind the inspiration is 

 performed by one effort ; the expiration by two, which is plainly to be 

 distinguished by observing the flanks, and which occupies double the 

 time. The reason of this may easily be stated. Broken-wind is the 

 rupture or running together of some of the air-cells. When the lungs are 

 expanded, the air will rush in easily enough, and one effort of the muscles 

 of respiration is sufficient for the purpose ; but when these cells have run 

 into each other, the cavity is so irregular, and contains so many corners 

 and blind pouches that it is exceedingly difficult to force it out again, and 

 two efforts are scarcely competent fully to effect it. 



This disease is also accompanied by a dry and husky cough of a peculiar 

 sound, which cannot easily be described, but is recognised by every one 

 accustomed to horses. It is the consequence of thick-wind, and of those 

 alterations of structure consequent on inflammation. If a portion of the 

 lung be lost to the animal, and the same quantity of pure blood must be 

 supplied, while there is not the same surface to supply it, it is easy to sup- 

 pose that, in the violent efforts which such a horse is compelled to make, 

 some of the cells may be broken. 



Broken wind may, however, occur without much previous disease. Sup- 

 pose a horse to be a gross feeder, and to have filled his stomach with 

 straw and hay, and provender that occupies a great bulk, and contains little 

 nourishment, the lungs are squeezed into a less than the natural compass. 

 Let the horse be now suddenly and smartly exercised; more blood must 

 be purified, and in the violent effort to accomplish this, some of the cells 

 give way. Therefore we do not find broken-winded horses on the race- 

 course, for although every exertioifW speed is required from them, their 

 food lies in small compass, and the stomach is not distended, and the 

 lungs have room to play, and care is taken that their exertion shall be 

 required when the stomach is nearly empty. Carriage and coach horses 

 are seldom broken-winded, unless they bring the disease to their work, for 

 they too live principally on corn, and their work is regular, and care is 

 taken that they shall not be fed immediately before their work. The 

 majority of horses thus affected come from the stables of those for whose 



