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MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
BROKEN WIND. 
Symptoms. —A marked distinction prevails between this 
disease and thick wind. In the latter the inspirations and 
expirations are of uniform length and duration; while in 
broken wind, for one inspiration two expirations are re¬ 
quired, which is plainly indicated by the motion of the 
flanks. This is caused by the rupture or union of several of 
the air-cells, which renders the cavities of the lungs more 
complicated, and hence requires that double action to clear 
off the carbonized air. It may be easily conceived that 
when the lungs are expanded the air will rush in readily 
enough, and one exertion of the muscles of respiration is 
sufficient to expel the carbonized air ; but when these cells 
have become united, the cavity of the lung is so irregular 
and many-cornered, that air is with difficulty expelled from 
them, and therefore two efforts are required to effect it. 
Broken wind is generally accompanied by a hard, dry, 
husky cough, differing completely in its character from that 
of a common cold. 
Causes.— This disease may take place without any visible 
disordered condition in a horse. Voracious feeding may 
produce it, or food taken hastily and in too large quantities 
into the stomach, particularly coarse hay and straw, which, 
by distending the stomach beyond the natural limits, presses 
against the lungs and prevents their free action. Coarse 
and bulky food being frequently used, is extremely apt to 
produce broken wind, from the effect just mentioned. The 
constrained action of the lungs, from the frequently dis¬ 
tended stomach, is apt to burst the air-cells, and thus lay 
the foundation of an incurable disease. 
This complaint may, however, be generally traced to 
previous inflammation, and the consequent alterations of 
