These are merely varieties of nearly one and the same pathological condition, and the distinctions lead to no practical result in my method of treatment.
Thick Wind is generally the result of an imperfectly cured bronchitis or pneumonia, leaving either the mucous membrane of the bronchia permanently thickened, or some portions of the lung more or less solidified, thus impairing its capacity and diminishing or destroying its elasticity. Hence, the horse when exercised, especially up hill, breathes short, hurriedly, and more laboriously than in health. This causes much distress, the horse expands his nostrils, heaves, pants and breathes with difficulty.
Broken Wind is the result of emphysema of the lungs, that is, the minute air-cells in certain portions of the lungs become dilated, lose their elasticity or power of contraction, and breaking one into another, form variously-sized sacks of air, the entrance to which becomes closed, so that this air remains resident in the lungs and so far destroys its use. Spasm of the air-tubes acts in a similar manner, hence it may come and go, but the former condition is more or less permanent. Spasm, or disease of the midriff, is frequently connected with it. The usual symptoms are: the flanks are slowly drawn up until they have a tucked up appearance, when they suddenly fall down. The act of forcing the air from the lungs is far more difficult, and requires longer time than to inspire or draw it in. There is also a short, weak, wheezing cough, rough, dry coat; greediness for food, yet the animal is thin and looks poor; the belly is swelled with wind; oats often pass unchanged from the bowels.
Treatment.—Some cases of broken and thick wind cannot be cured, as they depend upon organic changes in the structure of the lungs, themselves incurable, yet all can be benefited by the persistent use of the proper remedies, and proper attention to food and work.
In all cases of this disease, of whatever variety, if recent or extensive, give fifteen drops of E.E., noon and at night, and the same of A. A., each morning. In old, long standing cases, give fifteen drops of the A.A., every morning, and the same of E.E., at night, continuing the treatment with perseverance.
Food.—As the animal suffers from want of space in the chest, so the distension of the stomach with an undue quantity of food tends much to increase the difficulty. Hence the most condensed form of food is best, plenty of oats and little hay, but no chaff, straw, or bloating feed, water in moderate quantities, but never to repletion until the day’s work is over. Green food, carrots especially, are always useful. They are readily digested, and are peculiarly beneficial to the respiratory organs. On the contrary, bloating, flatulent, poor feed, will tend to increase, and may even occasion, broken wind. The horse should not be worked soon after a full meal.
Bronchitis
From exposure to wet and cold; sudden changes of weather; turning the horse into a cold, wet place, or bringing him from grass to a warm stable; standing in a draft of cold air, or washing the warm, sweating skin and not drying it afterwards, an inflammation of the bronchial tubes and minute air-cells takes place, meriting the name of Bronchitis.
Symptoms.—The disease generally begins with a slight cough, quick breathing, sore throat, low spirits, dislike of food, slight discharge from the nostrils, pain of the throat when pinched, and some difficulty of swallowing. In some cases, it comes on suddenly with shaking; the legs, ears and muzzle are at one time hot and at another cold; the skin is rough and staring; the head hung down; mouth hot; the animal remains standing, and does not wish to move; pulse is full and quick; the cough short, frequent, and irritating; the breathing quick and difficult; the eyes and nose red, and rattles are heard in the windpipe at the breast. A profuse discharge of matter from the nostrils indicates the period from which improvement commences.
Treatment.—Give fifteen drops of A.A., and E.E., alternately every three hours, beginning with A.A. After a day or two, as the animal improves, the intervals between the doses may be prolonged to four or six hours. Keep the animal well covered and protected until recovery takes place. After the feverish symptoms have disappeared the E.E., may be relied upon.