512 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



are any awakened, save in bad cases, in the slow paces, and it is not until 

 the animal is galloped, or, in the case of a harness-horse, compelled to 

 draw a load uphill, or move at a quick pace, that the respiratory trouble 

 becomes apparent. 



Paralytic roaring usually comes on gradually, and shows but little 

 variation in its severity, and in this respect it differs from spasm of the 

 larynx, which is sudden in its onset, remains only for a brief period, and 

 as suddenly disappears. 



Treatment. — If roaring is the result of paralysis of the laryngeal 

 muscles treatment is not hopeful, and to steady its further progress and 

 palliate the symptoms is as much as we may look for. 



Various attempts, surgical and otherwise, have been made to afford 

 relief to the disabled organ. The most recent of these consisted in the 

 removal of that part of the larynx (arytenoid cartilage) over which the 

 muscles had ceased to exercise control, and whose displacement constituted 

 the immediate cause of obstruction to the ingress of air in the act of 

 breathing. Although the operation referred to cannot be said to have been 

 followed by an encouraging measure of success it cannot be regarded as 

 an unqualified failure, as in the hands of the writer it has had the effect 

 in several instances of restoring useless animals to a state of usefulness. 

 The method most commonly adopted for aiding respiration in these cases 

 is that of inserting a tube into the windpipe about one-third of the distance 

 down the neck. Through this artificial channel respiration can be effi- 

 ciently carried on without the objectionable noise and premature distress 

 resulting from the disease, and by its use the animal's services may be 

 considerably prolonged and his comfort under exertion very materially 

 enhanced. It is, however, at the best an unsightly expedient, and not 

 altogether unattended with pain, while sooner or later the irritation in- 

 duced by the tube will provoke an outward or inward growth of "proud 

 flesh", rendering a further operation, necessary, or maybe the destruc- 

 tion of the animal. All horses suffering from this disease should be 

 kept in high condition. Throwing them out of work and " letting them 

 down" adds considerably to the embarrassment of the breathing, if it does 

 not also expedite the disease. In those cases where the breathing is left 

 defective after an attack of cold, influenza, or strangles, no time should 

 be lost in applying a counter-irritant to the throat, such as mustard or 

 turpentine liniment, and a repetition of the application should be made 

 at intervals for several times. Moreover, paralytic roaring should be 

 anticipated by the early administration of full doses of nux vomica. 



