886 DISEASES OF BEEATHlKa. 



tion and froni the fact that when roaring occurs, as it not in- 

 frequently does, after contagious pleuro-pneumonia, it does not 

 become apparent for at least a month after the attack. This is 

 a useful point to remember in questions of soundness. 



SYMPTOMS OF PARALYTIC ROARING.— The sound is harsh 

 and occurs during inspiration. It is not very unlike that caused 

 by the sawing of wood when heard at a distance. Some observers 

 say that the noise may, also, but to a much less extent, be noticed 

 during expiration. In mild cases, the objectionable sound is, 

 usually, not apparent, unless the animal is put to a fast 

 l>ace. At the oommenceauent of the affection, it is often heard 

 only at the beginning of exercise, and wears off as the work 

 is continued. If it is worse at the end yof a gallop than 

 at starting, the horse may be regarded as a confirmed roarer. 

 Some horses roar so badly, that they " make a noise '' when only 

 walking, and even when standing still, without having been 

 exercised. 



The roarer often has a deep, or " churchyard " cough, which is 

 characteristic of the malady. 



A horse which has been bred in a country where roaring is 

 common, and which grunts, whether when suddenly startled, or 

 when jumping, should be looked upon with great suspicion as to 

 his being a roarer ; for if such a habit of grunting is not an actual 

 proof of roaring, it points to a strong tendency to that complaint, 

 in the great majority of cases, or to some marked defect in the 

 organs of breathing. Here, we should of course take into con- 

 Bideration the country in which the animal has been bred, and 

 the cause of the grunting. A horse which is perfectly sound in 

 his wind and has not the slightest tendency to become a roarer, 

 may grunt, when for instance he lands over a fence, if he be infirm 

 in front. I can offer no explanation of the connection between 

 grunting and roaring; but accept the fact from practical experi- 

 ence. Also, I confess that I can detect no difference between 

 the grunting of roaring, and the grunting of pain. 



" Grunting " is the term apjolied to the abnormal noise made by 

 some horses, when suddenly startled or when suddenly moved or 

 checked (as when landing over a jump) during movement. 



AiS a great rule, a roarer gets gradually worse with age. 



Some horses wihioh are not roarers, are apt to make a noise 

 when pulling hard at their bridle, on account of opening their 

 mouth and drawing back their tongue, by doing which they force 

 back the soft palate, so that it partly blocks up the air passage 

 between the nasal cavities and the larynx. 



My experience is that roaring seldom affects a horse before two 



