258 BROKEN WIND. 
the road. It had traveled all night, and it was still in the chains when 
the writer beheld it on the afternoon of the succeeding day. 
After death, the body which has suffered from the disease declares the 
ravage of the malady. The lungs are larger than usual, and always 
pallid; small bladders containing gas are upon their surface, and when 
taken from their cavity the organs do not collapse as do the healthy 
lungs, nor can the air by compression be entirely driven forth. The 
hand being forced upon the surface elicits crepitation, or provokes a 
crackling sound, induced by the vapor passing out of one cell into 
another; for broken wind causes the terminations of the bronchial 
tubes to give way or to freely communicate one with another. Now, it 
is within these air-cells that the blood absorbs the oxygen from the 
inhaled atmosphere, and purifies itself by yielding up carbonic acid. 
How much must the destruction of their integrity, therefore, affect the 
entire body! Impure blood cannot nourish a healthy life; and the 
reader, after the above explanation, will easily account for the ragged 
and dejected aspect of the horse with broken wind. 
The diaphragm is also disintegrated; the fibers of its tendinous por- 
tion are separated. The stomach is distended and thin; the bowels are 
enlarged and blown out with gas; the muscle of the anus is flaccid; the 
visible mucous membranes are of an unhealthy tint; the lining of the 
windpipe and the bronchial tubes is greatly thickened; the muscles are 
soft and deficient in color; and, where fat should have been, is only 
found a gelatinous fluid. 
Having related the living and the morbid changes which characterize 
the malady, it remains now to inform the reader how so terrible a scourge 
may be avoided. The horse is so valuable a 
helpmate that it merits, for its own sake, 
man’s greatest care. Never, for any reason, 
therefore, drive the animal from the shelter 
of the stable to the exposure of the field; 
never turn the steed which has thriven upon 
prepared food to the starvation of a ‘run 
at grass,” or rankness of the ‘“ straw-yard.” 
Never, for cheapness, buy damaged proven- 
der; never load a famishing stomach; be 
generous in all provision for those creatures 
which devote their lives to your service. 
Never, where such a thing is possible, per- 
mit the groom to ride or exercise the nag out of your sight. Be very 
attentive that the times of watering are rigidly observed. Never suffer 
an animal to quit the stable soon after it has drank or eaten. Be very 
HOW TO HEAR THE SOUND MADE WITHIN 
THE HORSE’S WINDPIPE. 
