DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 27 



Irll. Alter which the animal may be suddenly stopped, and by 

 immediately placing the ear to the nose and throat, any unnat- 

 ural sound may be heard. The above method of examination is 

 to be recommended in all cases, as some cases of roaring are so 

 slight, as to be rather difficult to detect. In may cases, the char- 

 acteristic sound can be heard at a distance. Another test is, to 

 give exercise, then stand the animal by a wall, his head firmly 

 held by an attendant. Now, with a whip make a motion as 

 though you were going to .strike the animal, when he will start 

 forward very suddenly, and, if affected, will usually make the 

 grunt peculiar to "roarers.' 5 



Treatment. This disease, when once established, is incurable. 

 But relief may be afforded by an operation called tracheotomy, 

 by which a hole is cut in the front of the windpipe and a tube 

 (Fig. Xo. 4) put in, through which the animal may breathe, 

 and get sufficient air to undergo severe exercise without distress. 

 This is a delicate operation, and should be undertaken only 

 by experienced veterinary surgeons. Relief may be afforded if 

 taken in time by giving 1 dram of iodide of potassium twice a 

 day for two or three weeks. Sometimes, a good blister applied 

 to the throat is beneficial. A "roarer" should never be used for 

 breeding purposes, as the disease is very likely to be transmitted 

 to the colts. In roaring, the disease is in the throat, and the 

 horse has difficulty in getting enough air into the lungs for fast 

 work, while heaves is an affection of the lungs, and the horse has 

 difficulty in forcing the air out of the lungs. 



