486 THE HORSE#, 
producing resolution of inflammation in mucous surfaces, and in this 
disease little or nothing can be effected by general measures. The solu- 
tion should be from ten to fifteen grains in the ounce of distilled 
water. 
RoarinG is the bugbear of the purchaser at the hammer, and not 
without good reason. The most experienced veterinarian or dealer will 
often fail to ascertain its existence, in spite of all the artifices he may 
call into play. Not the slightest sound is heard during a state of quies- 
cence, or even when the horse is trotted or galloped for the short distance 
which “the ride” will afford. The blow on the side given with due 
artistic effect elicits no grunt, and yet the animal is a confirmed roarer, 
and not worth a shilling perhaps for the purpose to which he is intended 
40 be devoted. On the other hand, many a sound horse is condemned as 
- a roarer for giving out the obnoxious grunt; and though there is no doubt 
that this sign may be relied on ina great many cases, yet it cannot be accepted 
as either negatively or positively a certain proof. The only real trial is the 
noiseless gallop on turf or plough, when the ear can detect the slightest 
sound, and can distinguish its exact nature, and the precise spot from 
which it proceeds. Many a horse will, when he is excited, make a harsh 
noise in ‘his breathing, accompanied by a kind of “luck,” proceeding 
from a spasmodic flapping of the velum palati; but on galloping him all 
this goes off, and he may probably exhibit excellent wind. Such cases 
I have many times known, and they would be condemned as unsound by 
those who have had little experience, or are content with a careless and 
inefficient trial. Stallions are particularly prone to make this kind of 
noise, and it is extremely difficult to ascertain their soundness in this 
respect by any means which can be safely resorted to. The causes of 
roaring are of three kinds: 1st, Inflammation, which has left a thickening 
or ulceration of the mucous membrane, or a fungous growth from it ; 
2d, Paralysis of the muscles ; and 3d, An alteration of the shape of the 
cartilages of the larynx, produced by tight reining. 
In roaring produced by an ulcerated or thickened condition of the mucous 
membrane, or by a fungous growth, the sound elicited is always the same 
in proportion to the rapidity of respiration. None of the ordinary expe- 
dients by which the breath is introduced in a modified stream (such as a 
full meal, or pressure on the nostrils or windpipe), will be of much avail, 
and the horse roars sturdily whenever his pace is sufficiently accelerated. 
Tf a horse so affected can be made to grunt by the blow on the side, the 
sound will always indicate the disease, for it will be harsh and rough, and 
not the natural grunt of the animal. It is usually supposed that no 
treatment can be of the slightest avail here ; but I believe that sometimes 
the continued application of nitrate of silver, as recommended at page 485, 
would be followed by a certain amount of amelioration, the extent of 
which it is impossible to guess at without a trial. In any case, when the 
animal is rendered almost worthless by disease, it is fair to try experiments 
which are neither expensive nor cruel ; and from the effect of the remedy 
in those cases in which it has been used, I am led to expect that it may 
prove beneficial in those of longer standing. Setons, blisters, and embro- 
cations are all useless, as has been proved in numberless cases ; and beyond 
the palliation which can be afforded by employing the horse only at such 
a pace as his state will allow, nothing else can be suggested. In some 
cases the roarer will be able to do ordinary harness work, which, however, 
in hot weather, will try him severely ; in others he may be so slightly 
affected as to be fit to hunt in a country where, from its nature, the pace 
