43 



their walls becomes interfered with. Wasting of the walls now follows, and 

 air accumulates among the tissue which binds the air-cells together. The 

 heart, now having more work to do in consequence of these changes in the 

 lungs, becomes accordingly enlarged on the right side. Now that we have 

 seen what the proximate causes of broken-wind are, let us review its remote 

 causes. The first is heredilar>' influence. The offspring may inherit the 

 same bodily conformation and temperament as the parents, and thus be 

 liable to be similarly affected. Again, defective dietetic conditions are largely 

 responsible for the production of broken-wind. As the diet of the coarser 

 breeds is frequently innutritions and bulky, and the animals are worked after 

 a heavy meal with full allowance of water, they are more frequently affected 

 with the disease than better bred horses which are more carefully attended 

 to. Chopped hay and oat straw in large amounts are also said to be potent 

 causes of broken-wind. Finally, sometimes the malady may follow as the 

 result of previous inflammation of the lungs. 



The symptoms in confirmed cases of broken-wind are unmistakable, but 

 when not so fully developed, the disease may be occasionally overlooked. 

 The inspiratoiy movement is performed rather quickly and with ease, while 

 the expirator}^ act is more prolonged, diflicult, and accomplished by two 

 apparent efforts. It begins rapidly, and is suddenly stayed before the act 

 is finished. The cough is characteristic, being short, of little force, and 

 suppressed. It seems to be ejaculated with a kind of a grunt through the 

 upper part of the windpipe. When the animal is in fair condition, the cough 

 generally occurs only at long intervals, and rarely in paroxysms ; but at the 

 commencement of the disease, and when the horse is excited from any cause 

 •during exercise, or at any other time, it is apt to be very severe and continued. 

 In many instances cough is one of the first 'indications of broken-wind. 

 After feeding, the symptoms are more severe, and they are liable to 

 exacerbations from extremes of heat and cold or other atmospheric changes. 

 The chest being rounder than it should be, its movements are much impaired ; 

 while the movements of the belly are violently put . into action during an 

 .attack of coughing. In well marked cases, a loud sonorous wheezing 

 noise can be distinctly heard by those near the animal. In confirmed cases 

 the digestive organs are weak and easily deranged. The horse is debilitated, 

 unthrifty, and the coat is often harsh, diy, and scurf)-. When worked he is 

 ■easily fatigued, and perspires readily ; and the bowels are generally loose. 



Finally, we turn to the treatment of this disease. Above all things 

 it is essential that the diet should be carefully regulated. The food should 

 be nutritious, digestible, and in moderate quantity, and the water supply 

 should be well regulated. Dry hay shoulql not be allowed, but freshly mown 

 grass or lucerne and carrots may be substituted with great advantage. 

 The corn may be bruised and damped. The animal must never be worked 

 immediately after a full meal. The general hygienic arrangements should be 

 looked after, the stable should be well Aentilated, and the general health 

 attended to. The symptoms of broken-wind may be ameliorated by all 

 remedies which improve the general condition and the digestive powers of 



