DISEASES, DEFECTS, ETC. 99 



Bone-spavin (z) appears on principle to be exactly appli- 

 cable to Ring-bone, the slightest appearance of which must 

 be considered an Unsoundness, whether it produce lameness 

 or not. 



Roaring is so called from a peculiar sound uttered by Roaring. 

 a Horse with this disease, when briskly trotted or gal- 

 loped, particularly up hill. In moderate exercise it is 

 scarcely or not at all perceived ; but in brisk exercise it 

 may be heard at the distance of several yards. The most 

 general cause of Roaring is a tough and viscid substance 

 which is thrown out in the shape of fluid, and adheres to 

 the side of the larynx and upper part of the windpipe, 

 materially obstructing the passage, and sometimes run- 

 ning across it in bands. Some Roarers, on dissection, 

 are found to have the shape of the larynx and windpipe 

 materially deformed, crooked, and compressed, and others 

 have presented no appearance of disease. Roaring is no • 



unusual consequence of Strangles («), and it may proceed 

 from tight reining [h). Lord Mansfield and Lord Ellen- 

 borough seemed to think that Roari)ig was not necessarily 

 Unsoundness ; but required proof, in each particular case, 

 that it was symptomatic of disease, or affected the Horse 

 so as to render him less serviceable for a permanency, as, 

 otherwise, it might merely be a bad habit. There can be 

 no doubt, however, that every Roarer is inconvenienced by 

 it when in rapid action, and it would be difficult to say, in 

 any case, that it is merely a bad habit acquired, without 

 some previous inflammation or alteration of structure. In 

 practice Roaring is always very properly considered an 

 Unsoundness. 



The following cases show the opinions expressed in Decisions on 

 courts of law with regard to Roaring. An action was *^^ subject, 

 brought on the warranty of a Horse, which soon after sale 

 had turned out a Roarer. Mr. Field, a Veterinary Sur- 

 geon of experience, stated that Roaring is occasioned by the 

 circumstance of the neck of the icindjjipe being too narrow for 

 accelerated respiration, and that the disorder is frequently 

 produced by sore throat or other topical inflammation, and 

 that the disorder is of such a nature as to incommode a 

 Horse very much when pressed to his speed. And Lord 

 EUenborough said, "If a Horse be affected by any 

 malady which renders him less serviceable for a per- 



(;) Bone-spavin, ante, p. 77. (/') Lib. U. K. "The Horse," 



(ft) Strangles, post. IGO. 



ii2 



