Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-01-17
Heayes, or Broken Wind.

BROKEN WIND is disease that pre-
walls to very great extent among the
horses of this country, and although not
of a fatal character, it greatly impairs the
usefulness of an animal, and materially
depreciates his marketable value.
AS regards the pathology or true nature
of this complaint, number of theories
have been brought forward, and IMPLY
soma of the lungs has long been looked
upon as the origin of the distressing
symptoms, but the real cause or nature
of this disease we believe is impaired
nervous influence.
The lungs and stomach are largely sup
piled with nervous influence by means of
great nerve (pneumogastive), which is
literally distributed to these parts, and
when the great center of digestion be-
comes affected through injudicious feed
ing, it necessarily impairs the nervous
force.
The great exciting cause therefore of
broken wind is partial or impaired diges-
ton.
In farm horses how often do we see it
follow the continued use Of dusty clover
hay, chopped food, ETC., which abnor-
mally distends the stomach and bowels,
and affects the nervous power.
We have often known of young horses
healthy in every respect, turned into the
barnyard for the winter months, and fed
on inferior hay, pea straw, etc., and in
the spring were found to be suffering
from broken wind, yet had never exhib-
tied any appearance of organic disease of
the lungs.
1t occasionally, however, results from
other causes, as a sequel of severe cases
of strangles, or follows prolonged at
tack of Inflammation of the lungs.
This troublesome complaint would be
of less frequent occurrence if proper care
was exercised in the feeding of horses;
by giving nutritious food in moderate
quantities, and at regular intervals, and
by not subjecting horses to rapid exer-
else when the stomach is too much dis
tended.
Broken wind is rarely seen in cavalry,
hunting horses, etc., and their freedom
from it is entirely due TO the regular and
careful mode of feeding.
Broken wind is an affection that is
usually easily detected, and the distress
ing symptoms are increased by sudden
changes of temperature. The heaving or
quick lifting of the TANKS is readily no
ticed after sharp exercise, the inspiratory
movement is quickly performed while
respiration takes place slowly. Another
characteristic symptom is prolonged
and hacking cough, easily excited by
pressure on the larynx, or sudden chang
es of food or temperature; when the dis.
ease is confirmed it becomes altogether
incurable, but the very worst of cases can
be benefited, and the distressing symp-
toms relieved, by proper attention to feed
ing, regular exercise, with an occasional
dose of laxative medicine.
There are certain medicines, as various
sedatives, which temporarily relieve the
breathing, but all powerful drugs must be
used with caution. The iodine of potas-
SUM, or bicarbonate of potash, in drachm
doses, morning and night will frequently
give great relief.
Horses affected with heaves are some
times severely drugged for the purpose
of deception when exposed for sale;
where such is suspected to be the case,
the horse should be given good drink
of water, or allowed to eat few pounds
of hay, and then subjected to rapid exer-
else, when the true nature of his COM
plant may be easily detected. Canada
Farmer.