40 



and although we cannot explain in exact terms the reason of this fact, we 

 may mention, in passing-, that the nerves ending in the stomach, are branches 

 of the same nerve from which the muscles of the larynx are supplied with 

 motor power. We shall see, in treating of asthma and broken-wind, what 

 marked influence food has in the causation of these diseases, as well as in 

 the complaint now under consideration. One other cause of roaring, is 

 confinement in badly-ventilated, close, stuffy stables. 



In cases of roaring which are not very pronounced, the characteristic 

 sound is usually not heard unless the animal be made to go at a fair pace. 

 Roaring in many cases is at first intermittent, gradually afterwards becoming 

 established as the muscles waste more. In such cases, in the first instance, 

 the sound is often heard at the beginning of exercise, and passes off as the 

 work is continued. If the horse be worse at the end of a canter than at 

 starting, he may be regarded as a pronounced roarer in all cases, excepting 

 in those w4iere there is some inflammatory action of the throat, in which 

 case it is most likely only a temporary phenomenon. In trying a horse for 

 his wind, it is customary to place him against a wall and make a feint to 

 strike him. If he grunts he is further examined ; if not, he is made to cough 

 by compressing the throat, and if the cough enforced sounds healthy, he is 

 passed. It is, however, best to have the horse galloped, and to let him finish 

 his run as he is going uphill. In the case of a draught horse, the animal 

 may be made to draw a load at a fair pace up an inclined plane, when, if he 

 be a roarer, the characteristic sound v.-ill be made. All forms of roaring 

 constitute unsoundness, yet, in some cases of recent inflammation of the 

 throat or lungs, the animal should again be examined after a reasonable 

 interval, before being finally rejected. Some horses, as is well known, are 

 apt to make a noise when pulling hard at the bridle, owing to the pushing 

 back of the tongue ; but this is easily remedied. 



We will now consider the treatment of roaring. When the complaint 

 follows influenza, strangles, or ordinaiy cold, the animal must be carefully 

 treated and attended to. He should have light work only ; and a good 

 nutritious diet, with not too much dry hay, should be supplied. The throat 

 should be smartly blistered with a mixture of equal parts of ointment of 

 cantharides and ointment of iodide of mercury, and a draught containing^ 

 iodide of potassium one drachm, tincture of nux vomica one drachm, liquor 

 arsenicalis tw^o drachms, and water to a pint, may be given twice daily. In 

 those cases of roaring M-hich are dependent upon tumours, the latter should 

 be removed when practicable. 



The greatest number of cases of roaring are, as we have said above,, 

 due to actual waste of the muscles of the larynx, and these cases are the most 

 inveterate. Blisters, or the application of the firing iron, have, however, 

 succeeded in arresting the wasting of the muscles, when, applied in the early 

 stages to the skin in the region of the throat. Chlorate of potassium in doses 

 of one or two drachms is recommended as well worthy of trial for arresting 

 this wasting change, and with this \\q.\v it may be given in the drinking 

 water in the confirmed cases twice daily. If preferred, it may be given in doses 



