EOARING. 137 



arises of cours^e from obstructed respiration, either in the larynx 

 or windpipe, or the bronchial passages ; such obstruction, how- 

 ever, not beino; so great as in roarino;. 



AA'^heezing is frequently present in thick wind, and indeed is 

 generally owing to obstruction in the lungs themselves. 



A trumpeter is merely a fancied distinction ; but a higliblower 

 is usually no roarer at all, the noise he makes beins; a sort of 

 snort, arising from the peculiar action of the false nostrils which 

 many horses possess. This sound is frequently mistaken for 

 roaring, but may be readily distinguished by galloping the horse, 

 when it will be found that the noise is greatest at first, lessens 

 as he proceeds, and goes off as the speed increases ; an effect 

 precisely contrary to that attending roaring. A case of this kind 

 lately came under my notice, in which the noise made by the 

 iiorse somewhat resembled a steam engine at work, so consider- 

 able was it. This noise commenced immediately the horse was 

 excited ; but after several trials I found, by causing the horse to 

 gallop without unduly exciting him, that no noise was pi'oduced. 

 Various parties learned In horse niatters pronounced him a 

 roarer, biit I gave a contrary opinion ; the truth of which was 

 proved by the horse carrying a heavy weight in capital style 

 through the following season, the noise going off as the pace 

 improved. It is, I think, very probable that the case of the 

 celebrated Eclipse was one of this description. 



The noise of roaring, and its modifications, is produced by 

 various diseased structures which morbid anatomy has brought 

 to light. Thickening of the membrane of the larynx is a 

 very frequent cause of roaring, and is generally produced by 

 sore throat or bronchitis. Sometimes bands are thrown across 

 the windpipe, which is the effect likewise of inflammation. It is 

 impossible to ascertain when they exist, or where, otherwise 

 it would be no difficult task to open the windpipe and divide 

 them. This was once done with success, but was afterwards 

 attempted in numerous cases, and failed. Ossification of the 

 cartilages of the larynx is another cause of roaring, and is pro- 

 duced by previous inflammation. Ulceration of the membrane 

 of the glottis is likewise another cause of roaring ; and it is sup- 

 posed by Mr. Field that when this Is the case, the irritation 

 experienced In breathing induces the animal to ^^artially shut 

 the glottis, and thus occasion the noise of roaring. — Ed.] 



On this point the Author remarks: — " I found two cases of 

 very bad roaring occasioned by ulceration within the larynx ; 

 in one of them the ulcer was very small, and close to the 

 chink. One of these horses had been affected for some time 

 with the mild or chronic glanders, and belonged to Mr. Russel's 

 glandered team. He was in good condition, and breathed freely 

 until put into motion. It rendered him, however, so useless 



