Rensselaer Union, Volume 5, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 January 1873 — Heaves, or Broken Wind. [ARTICLE]

Heaves, or Broken Wind.

Broken wind is a disease that prevails to a 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, a number of theories have been brought forward, and unphysema of the lungs has long been looked upon as the origin of the distressing symptoms, but the real cause or nature uf.this disease we believe is impaired nervous influence. The lungs and stomach are largely supplied with nervous influence by means of a great nerve (pneumogastive), which is liberally distributed to these parts, and when the great center of digestion becomes affected through injudicious feeding, it necessarily impairs the nervaus force. The great exciting cause therefore of broken wind is partial or impaired digestion. In farm horses how often do we see it follow the continued use of dusty clover hay, chopped food, etc., which abnormally distends the stomach and bowels, and affects the nervous power. AVe 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 exhibited any appearance of organic disease, of the lungs. It occasionally, however, results from other catises, as’ a sequel of severe cases of strangles, or follows a prolonged attack 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 internals, and by not subjecting horses to rapid exercise when the stomach is too much distended. Brpken wind is rarely seen in cavalry, hunting horns, ete., 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 distressing symptoms are increased by sudden changes of temperature. The heaving or quick lifting of the flanks is readily noticed after sharp exercise, the inspiratory movement is quickly performed while respiration takes place slowly. Another characteristic symptom is a prolonged and hacking, cough, easily excited by pressure on the larynx, or sudden changes of food or temperature; when the disease is confirmed it becomes altogether incurable,, but the very worst of cases can be benefited, and the distressing symptoms relieved, by proper attention to feeding, 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 potassium, or bicarbonate of potash, in drachm doses, morning and night will frequently give great relief. Horses affected wi(h heaves are sometimes severely drugged for the purpose of deception when exposed for sale; where such is suspected to be the case, the horse should bagiven a good drink of water, or allowed to eat a few pounds of hay, and then subjected to rapid exercise, when the true nature of his complaint may be easily detected.— Canada Najtm#ri