Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-01-17
Henres, or Broken Wind.


- "r sH I..H
BROKEN WIND Is disease that pre-.
walls to a very great extent among the
horses of this country, and although not
of a fatal character, 1t 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 unphy.
sema 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. N
The lungs and stomach are largely sup
piled with nervous influence by means of
great nerve (pneumogastive), which is
liberally distributed to these parts, and
when the great center of digestion be.
comes affected through inludicious feed
ing, 1t necessarily impairs the nervous
force
The great exciting cause therefore of
broken wind is partial or impaired diges-
tion.
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 exbib.
tied any appearance of organic disease Of
the lungs. .......
1t occasionally, however, results fpm
~ NAnr No nF
of straDgles, or follows prolongedat.
tack of inflammation of the lungs.
This troublesome complaint would be
of less frequent occurrence If proper clre
was exercised in the feeding Of horses;
by giving nutritious food in modehte
quantities, and at regular intervals, md
by not subjecting horses to rapid e&r-
else when the stomach is too much ds-
tended.
Broken wind is rarely seen in cavalry,
hunting horses, ETC., and their freedom
from it is entirely due TO the regular md
careful mode of feeding. .. .....
Broken wind is an affection that h
usually easily detected, and the distress
ing symptoms are increased by sudden
changes of temperature. The heaying Or
quick lifting of the flanks is readily no
ticed after sharp exercise, the inspirator,
movement is quickly performed whilt
respiration takes place slowly. Anothe
characteristic symptom is a prolongei
and hacking cough, easily excited BY
pressure on the larynx, or sudden chant
es of food or temperature; when the di.
ease is confirmed it becomes altogethr
incurable, but the very worst of cases ca
be benefited, and the distressing SYM.
toms relieved, by proper attention to fee-
ing, regular exercise, with an occasionl
| dose of laxative medicine.
There are certain medicines, as variou
sedatives, which temporarily relieve tn
breathing, but all powerful drugs must b
used with caution. The iodine of potas
sium, or bicarbonate of potash, in drachn
doses, morning and night will frequently
| give great relief.
Horses affected with heaves are Dme
times severely drugged for the puposs
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 ponds
of hay, and then subjected to rapid lxer-
else, when the true nature of his ,om-
plant may be easily detected.-CG0ld
Farmer.