14 
THOUGHTS ON BROKEN WIND. 
nature, as above described, becomes evident, namely, the 
breaking down and agglomeration of air-cells. Sometimes the 
lungs are in a state of hypertrophy , are evidently of larger 
volume than naturally healthy lungs; they are also specifically 
lighter, and if cut into do not collapse as in ordinary cases. 
This may arise from general dilatation of the air-cells. Their 
texture seems to be pale and very porous. On handling them, 
and especially at the extreme edges, they crepitate under the 
fingers as the air escapes from cell to cell. With respect to the 
peculiar lightness of the lungs in broken-winded horses, this 
alone, without a particular increase of volume, must be cau¬ 
tiously regarded as being produced from a state of emphysema ; 
for we must not forget that the lungs of old horses are always 
specifically lighter than those of younger animals; and to this 
class broken-winded horses belong. 
These are the general post-mortem appearances presented. 
I shall now consider the varieties : But, first,—Is emphysema 
invariably present] I can decidedly answer in the negative. 
Delafond, the greatest French advocate for the theory, after an 
examination of fifty-four cases, concludes that one-fourth of them 
arose from other causes. In France, England, and Scotland, num¬ 
bers of professors of the veterinary art and private practitioners 
have published statements to the contrary. Indeed, this is so 
well authenticated that I will take it for granted, and will not 
consume time or space by referring to them. For my own part, 
although fully agreeing with the abnormal appearances generally 
presented, yet in two cases of broken wind which were destroyed 
for the purpose of examination, after the most careful scrutiny 
I did not detect emphysema. 
The diaphragm has been very frequently found pale and 
attenuated, and often ruptured. 
In one instance, the only anormal appearance 1 could discover 
was partial hepatization of the right lung. 
I cannot speak, to my own knowledge, of any diseased con¬ 
dition of the heart , though this may arise from my cases for 
observation having been but few, and from my attention having 
never been directed to that organ. 1 very strongly suspect that 
at our post-mortem examinations we have strangely neglected 
this all-important muscle. We know that congestion, as 
happens in man, is often found to be caused by diseases of the 
valves of the heart on the right side, producing dilatation or 
hypertrophy of that organ, as also a congested state of lungs, 
from the blood being retarded in its passage through them, thus 
giving origin to those distressing symptoms known as asthma. 
Now, it appears to me that something of a like nature may exist 
in the horse, and give rise to the symptoms known as broken 
