62 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



bility of the membrane of the larynx, and the comparative insen- 

 sibility of that portion within the windpipe, says, " This I have 

 ascertained by opening the trachea, introducing my finger, and 

 scratching the membrane. I did the same with a bit of straw, 

 which the horse did not appear to feel ; but on passing it up- 

 wards, the moment it touched the larynx, the most violent irri- 

 tation and coughing was produced. I have tried this experiment 

 several times with the same result. In a roarer, where I found 

 an ulcer in the larynx, the most distressing irritation and wheezing 

 were produced whenever the horse was made to exert himself, 

 and this rendered him so useless that he was killed. In another 

 horse that was glandered, I found (after death) the whole of the 

 internal membrane of the trachea ulcerated ; but this horse was 

 not observed to have a cough, nor was he a roarer, the glanders 

 being the only seeming disorder he labored under." 



Symptoms. — The animal generally projects the head, indicat- 

 ing a stiffened neck ; he endeavors to bring objects, by rotating 

 the eyes, within the range of vision, rather than by moving his head. 

 The respirations are short and painful, and emit a labored sound ; 

 the throat and sub-glands are tumefied, but not so much in -the 

 early as in the latter stages of its inflammatory type. The act 

 of swallowing is performed with difficulty ; sometimes on attempt- 

 ing to swallow food, or even water, the animal will be seized with 

 a fit of spasmodic coughing, really distressing to witness. The 

 slightest pressure in the region of the throat will excite spasmodic 

 coughing. At first a slight cough is only perceptible ; but as the 

 disease progresses, the cough increases, until it becomes hoarse 

 and feeble. These symptoms, without noticing those which may 

 occur during the progress of the affection, are sufficient in them- 

 selves to indicate the nature and seat of the disease, so that there 

 need be no mistake about it. 



Treatment. — In all cases of this character a pure atmosphere 

 is indispensable ; the diet must be of a sloppy character, easy of 

 digestion, and containing but a small amount of nutriment. The 

 bowels should be kept soluble with cooling saline aperients ; if, 

 however, they can be so kept by bran mashes, seasoned with salt, 

 the former may be dispensed with. Some apply poultices, em- 

 brocations and fomentations to the throat, neither of which should 

 be continued any length of time unless they give immediate relief; 



