ROARING. 109 



order to arch their necks. This silly and cruel prac- 

 tice either paralyses the nerves of the larynx, and 

 thus produces absorption of the muscles of the part 

 and falling in of the cartilages : or occasions distor- 

 tion of the larynx or the windpipe. Bands of lymph 

 across the windpipe have also induced roaring ; but 

 they are by no means so common as is supposed. 



To detect a roarer, the horse may be suddenly 

 frightened, when a grunt will be emitted. The cough 

 also is peculiar, and should be studied. It is not 

 difficult to recognize it; but it is almost impossible to 

 describe a sound. These proofs are, however, not con- 

 clusive : but the animal should be galloped up-hill, or 

 over heavy land, and then the point will certainly be 

 decided. 



The cause must be discovered if possible. It will 

 be readily suspected in a carriage-horse; and the 

 anatomist will detect it by a careful examination of 

 the part. If there is distortion, the case is hopeless : 

 but when being of the acute kind it can be connected 

 with disease, and is not thoroughly established, seda- 

 tive medicine, blistering, and setoning may upon 

 consideration be tried. The tar-ball recommended 

 for chronic cough (Recipe No. 30, p. 106) may also 

 be given. In the majority of chronic cases, however, 

 the labour of the practitioner will be lost, and the 

 roarer may be dismissed as incurably unsound. The 

 horse nevertheless may be highly useful. For speed 

 or for long journeys he certainly is no longer avail- 

 able ; but were such an inquiry practicable, it would 

 surprise the reader to learn how many confirmed roarers 

 are working at the present time in London streets. 



