Common Diseases of the Horse 171 



as it may be called, would be a visit to the buyer from one of the 

 confederates, and after some parleying she would be bought back for 

 about one-quarter of the sum paid for her. This kind of thing went 

 on for over two years, the unscrupulous dealers making a good living 

 from the proceeds of their various conspiracies, when eventually 

 the mare got into the hands of a farmer, who, to his amazement, 

 recognized that he had bought her before and had been done a 

 second time. Surely enough one of the conspirators turned up to 

 repurchase the animal, but the farmer stated that neither he nor any 

 other man should be victimized again, and declined to sell. Al- 

 though ;^ioo was eventually offered, he remained staunch and had 

 her shot. 



With roaring or whistling in mares that have become affected 

 after having suffered from some affection of the throat or lungs, and 

 which may be said to have acquired the disease, practically no risk 

 is run by using them for breeding purposes. It would, however, be 

 a dangerous course for the stock-owner to pursue unless he was 

 absolutely convinced that such was the case — that is to say, that 

 a hitherto well-known sound mare had suddenly become affected 

 after an attack of strangles or other throat trouble. 



A noise is sometimes produced by the flapping of the nostrils, 

 but this occurs during respiration. The term "nasal flapper" 13 

 applied in such cases. In finally deciding whether an animal is 

 a roarer or whistler considerable skill is required, and it is necessary 

 to call in the veterinarian. 



Treatmeyit. — The remedies for roaring and whistling are not 

 numerous, there being only one or two that will afford permanent 

 relief. The best-known remedy is the insertion of a tube of about 

 I in. diameter into the windpipe in its upper third, between the 

 throat and the chest. There are various kinds of tubes, the 

 selection of which should be left in the hands of the owner's 

 veterinary adviser. 



This method, while enabling the animal to perform pretty well 

 its ordinary work, does not in any way help to cure the original 

 trouble in the throat. The disease either remains as it was, or 

 more often progresses in its course. The horse receives the air into 

 the lungs for the oxidation of the blood through the aperture of the 

 tube. That this is so may be easily ascertained by blocking the 

 tube with a cork and testing the animal for his wind. The admini- 

 stration of blisters to the outside of the throat or of electuaries 

 by the mouth to the chronic sufferer is, for all practical purposes, 

 useless and only a waste of time. 



Another remedy that has been adopted of recent years, and 



