70 



WHAT DISEASES CONSTITUTE UNSOUNDNESS OE VICE. 



Broken-down. 



Broken-wind. 



this impairs the natural usefulness of the horse, it is such 

 an alteration of structure as constitutes vmoundness. 



For broken-down, see " Sprain and Thickening of the Back 

 Sinews " («'). 

 Broken-knees. Broken-knees do not constitute unsoundness after the 

 wounds are healed, unless they interfere with the action of 

 the joint ; and a horse may fall from mere accident, or 

 through the fault of the rider {k). 



Broken-wind is the rupture or running together of some of 

 the air-cells. It is easily distinguished from thick- wiad (/) ; 

 in thick- wind the breathing is rapid and laborious, but the 

 inspiration and expiration are equally so, and occupy pre- 

 cisely the same time. In broken-wind the inspiration is 

 performed by one effort, the expiration by two, occupying 

 double the time, which is plainly to be distinguished by 

 observing the flanks. The reason is that when the lungs 

 are expanded, the air will run iu easily enough, and one 

 effort of the respiratory muscles is sufficient for the pur- 

 pose ; 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 can scarcely effect it. This disease 

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

 sound, and is the consequence of thick- wind (>«), and of 

 those alterations of structure consequent on inflammation (m). 

 It is most decidedly an unsoundness (o). 



The division of the windpipe just before it enters the 

 lungs, and the numerous vessels into which it immediately 

 afterwards branches out, are called the bronchial tubes, and 

 the inflammation of the membrane that lines them is called 

 bronchitis. It is catarrh {p), extending to the entrance of 

 the lungs, and is characterized by quicker and harder 

 breathing than catarrh usually presents ; and by a peculiar 

 wheezing, which is relieved by the coughing up of mucus (q). 

 It is decidedly an unsoundness. 



Canker is a separation of the horn from the sensible part 

 of the foot, and the sprouting of fungus matter instead of 

 it, occupying a portion of or even the whole of the sole and 

 frog. It is the occasional consequence of bruise, puncture. 



Bronchitis. 



Canker. 



(») Sprain and Thickening of the 

 Back Sinews, post. 



(;t) Lib. U. K. "The Horse," 

 361. 



{t) Thickwind, post. 



{m) Thickwind, post. 



(») Lib. U. K. "The Horse," 



194. 



(o) Wdlan 7. Carter, before Mr. 

 Baron Martin, Lancaster Spr. Ass. 

 1853. 



ip) See Cough, post. 



(q) Lib. U. K. "The Horse," 

 189. 



