CHAP. I.] BROKEN WIND, &C. 233 



animal system, but proceed shortly to notice some 

 other effects of the ill-cured cold or protracted 

 cough. 



BROKEN WIND 



Is already so minutely described, as to its causes 

 and symptoms, in the second chapter of book i., 

 that we apprehend repetition in this place would 

 prove worse than useless. The reader will, there- 

 fore, turn to page 108, and the recapitulation of my 

 treatise on the organs of respiration which imme- 

 diately follows, at page 110. Generally speaking, 

 broken-wind is brought on by inflammation of the 

 organs of respiration, and acquires a different name, 

 though requiring but little variety of treatment, ac- 

 cording to the part which may be the more imme- 

 diate seat of disease ; for it must be clear, that 

 although this may lie in the uppermost part or 

 larynx, in the lowermost part or midriff, or more 

 centrally — the communicable nature of inflammation 

 is such, that the whole must partake in some de- 

 gree of each and every partial derangement. And 

 this degree will be proportioned to the excitability 

 of the individual's organs of respiration that may 

 be the subject of attack : if the animal contract 

 cold or cough in the vigour of age and health, he 

 will experience its effects in the most frightful 

 shapes ; it proceeds to encroach on and obstruct 

 the right functions of the lungs with rapid strides, 

 and if the symptoms do not abate he dies. But, 

 being partially removed, it becomes a chronic dis- 



