11 
THOUGHTS ON BROKEN WIND. 
By John W. Gloag, M.R.C.V.S., 11th Hussars. 
To the Editor of “ The Veterinarian .” 
Sir,—I t has often occurred to me, that the generally received 
views on the physiology of the disease, “ Broken Wind,'* are 
not, in all cases , perfectly and satisfactorily established, and that 
therefore it might be advantageous to collect the opinions of 
various members of the veterinary profession upon it, with a 
view to a further consideration of the subject. 
The following remarks are in nowise intended as a Thesis 
on this subject: they are merely the substance of a few passing 
thoughts, submitted more with a view of eliciting information 
than of imparting any. 
I am, Sir, 
Your obedient Servant. 
Nottingham, 
15th Dec., 1851. 
After the careful investigation given to this subject by our 
very talented author, Mr. Percivall, it seems almost super¬ 
erogatory in me to say any thing upon it; yet, as I do not 
gather from his remarks that he considers the present theory 
perfectly established in all cases, and as he admits the great 
difficulty of coming to a conclusion, and knowing that many 
different opinions still prevail on the theory of this disease, 
I hope I shall not be accused of presumption in hazarding a few 
remarks. My object in this paper is, by shewing the great 
difficulties which surround the consideration of this question, 
to induce numbers of veterinarians to give the result of their 
experience on important points in the physiology and post 
mortem appearance of cases, from which alone valuable deduc¬ 
tions can be hereafter drawn. And although these may not 
lead to a cure of the complaint, yet may such considerations 
prove advantageous, perhaps, in preventing attacks, or mitigating 
their intensity. 
Broken wind, although not a disease of itself, yet is a pecu¬ 
liar characteristic symptom of a complaint well known among 
horsemen, to which it owes its name. 
The common Symptoms are as follow :—The act of in¬ 
spiration is performed very readily; but in expiration there is a 
very peculiar double heave of the flanks, and this is evidently 
caused by the abdominal muscles being called into play. Now, 
if we consider that the act of expiration in the naturally healthy 
