196 THE HORSE. 



sadly increased. A little blood may then be subtracted; and other means 

 taken which have been recommended for inflammatory affections of the 

 chest. In cases of frequent or periodical returns of difficulty of breathing", 

 to which these horses are very subject, a course of mild aperients, united 

 with mercury, have been given with decided advantage. Two drachms of 

 aloes, and one of calomel, may be given twice in the week. The barbarous 

 practice of some farriers of making holes near the anus, and sometimes in 

 other parts, to let out the broken wind, cannot be too strongly reprobated. 

 Thick-wind and broken-wind exist in various degrees, and many shades 

 of difference. Dealers and horsemen generally have characterized them 

 by names that can boast no elegance, but are considerably expressive of 

 the state of the animal. Our readers should not be ignorant of them. 

 Some horses make a shrill noise when in quick action — they are said to be 

 Pipers. This is a species of Roaring. There is usually a ring of coagu- 

 lated matter round the inside of the windpipe, by which the cavity is 

 materially diminished, and the sound produced in quick breathing must 

 evidently be shriller. Sometimes the piping is produced by a contraction 

 of the small passages of the lungs. 



The Wheezer utters a sound not unlike that of an asthmatic person 

 when a little hurried. This is a kind of thick-wind, and is caused by 

 the lodgment of some mucous fluid in the small passages of the lungs. 

 It frequently accompanies bronchitis. Wheezing can be heard at all times, 

 even when the horse is at rest in the stable ; roaring is confined to the 

 increased breathing of considerable exertion. 



The Whistler utters a shriller sound than the wheezer, but only when in 

 exercise, and that of some continuance. A sudden motion will not always 

 produce it. It seems to be referable to some contraction in the windpipe 

 or the larynx. The sound is a great nuisance to the rider, and the whistler 

 very speedily becomes distressed. A sharp gallop up hill will speedily 

 detect the whistler. 



When the obstruction seems to be principally in the nose, the horse 

 loudly puffs and blows, and the nostrils are dilated to the utmost, while the 

 flanks are comparatively quiet. This animal is said to be a High-blower. 

 With all his apparent distress, he often possesses great speed and endurance. 

 The sound is unpleasant, but the lungs may be perfectly sound. 



Every horse violently exercised on a full stomach, or when overloaded 

 with fat, will grunt very much like a hog. The pressure of the stomach 

 on the lungs, or that of the fat accumulated about the heart, will so much 

 impede the breathing, that the act of forcible expiration will be accompanied 

 by this kind of sound ; but there are some horses who will at all times 

 utter this sound, if suddenly touched with the whip or spur. They are 

 called Grunters, and should be avoided. There is some altered structure 

 of the lungs, which prevents them from suddenly accommodating them- 

 selves to an unexpected demand for exertion. It is the consequence of pre- 

 vious disease, and is frequently followed by thick, or broken-wind, or 

 roaring. 



