278 BROKEN WIND. 



of broken-wind, yet we cannot think that it is half so dangerous as galloping 

 with a stomach distended by solid food. It is said that broken-winded horses 

 are foul feeders, because they devour almost everything that comes in their 

 way, and thus impede the play of the lungs ; but there is so much sympathy 

 between the respiratory and digestive systems, that one cannot be much 

 derange* without the other evidently suffering. Flatulence, and a depraved 

 appetite, may be the consequence as well as the cause of broken-wind ; and 

 there is no pathological fact of more frequent occurrence than the co-existence 

 of indigestion and flatulence with broken wind. Flatulence seems so invariable 

 a concomitant of broken-wind, that the old farriers used to think the air found 

 its way from the lungs to the abdomen in some inexplicable manner; and 

 hence their " holes to let out broken wind." They used literally to make a 

 hole near to or above the fundament in order to give vent to the imprisoned 

 wind. The sphincter muscle was generally divided ; and although the tramp- 

 ing ceased, there was a constant, although silent, emission of foetid gas, that 

 made the remedy worse than the disease. 



The narrow-chested horse is more subject to broken-wind than the broader 

 and deeper chested one, for there is not so much room for the lungs to expand 

 when rapid progression requires the full discharge of their function. 



Is broken-wind hereditary ? We believe so. It may be referred to heredi- 

 tary conformation — to a narrower chest, and more fragile membrane — and 

 predisposition to take on those inflammatory diseases which end in broken- 

 wind ; and the circular chest, which cannot enlarge its capacity when exertion 

 requires it, must render both thick and broken wind of more probable oc- 

 currence. 



Is there any cure for broken- wind ? None ! No medical skill can repair 

 the broken-down structure of the lungs. 



If, however, we cannot cure, we may in some degree palliate broken- wind ; 

 and, first of all, we must attend carefully to the feeding. The food should 

 lie in little compass, — plenty of oats and little hay, but no chaff. Chaff is par- 

 ticularly objectionable, from the rapidity with which it is devoured, and the 

 stomach distended. Water should be given in moderate quantities, but the 

 horse should not be suffered to drink as much as he likes until the day's work 

 is over. Green meat will always be serviceable. Carrots are particularly 

 useful. They are readily digested, and appear to have a peculiarly beneficial 

 effect on the respiratory system. 



It is from the want of proper attention to the feeding that many horses 

 become broken- winded, even in the straw-yard. There is little nutriment in the 

 provender which they find there ; and in order to obtain enough for the support 

 of life, they are compelled to keep the stomach constantly full, and pressing 

 upon the lungs. It has been the same when they have been turned out in 

 coarse and innutritive pasturage. The stomach was perpetually gorged, and 

 the habitual pressure on the lungs cramped and confined their action, and inevi- 

 tably ruptured the cells when the horse gambolled with his companions, or was 

 wantonly driven about. 



Next in importance stands exercise. The pursive or broken-winded horse 

 should not stand idle in the stable a single day. It is almost incredible 

 how much may be done by attention to food and exercise. The broken- 

 winded horse may thus be rendered comfortable to himself, and no great 



nuisance to his owner ,■ — but inattention to feeding, or one hard journey the 



animal unprepared, and the stomach full,— may bring on inflammation, con- 

 gestion, and death. Occasional physic, or alterative medicine, will often give 

 considerable relief. 



Thick-wind and broken-wind exist in various degrees, and many shades of 



