^94 ILLCSTRATED STOCK DOCTOB. 



and lower branches of the breathing tubes, whistling from a narrowing 

 or constriction of the windpipe. Roaring, again, is of two kinds, acute 

 and chronic. The first is, in comparison with the chronic and confirmed 

 state, lif'ht and trivial. Fortunately it is comparatively rare in the United 

 States, but quite common in England, and essentially a disease of higk 

 or well-bred horses. 



True high-blowing, as understood by English horsemen, is not consid- 

 ered a disease or impediment. There is no sound made during inspira- 

 tion. The air is expelled during and after hard exertion, with force and 

 a peculiar ^'ib^ation of the nostrils, causing the sound. 



Causes. — -^^7 ^^^ ^^ ^^ these impediments are produced by various 

 affections, and some of them, as thick wind and roaring, are considered 

 by some as hereditary. Laryngitis, distemper, bronchitis, pneumonia, 

 tumors, diseases of the nasal membranes, and tight reining. Roaring and 

 whistling are decided unsoundness. So also should thick wind be conr 

 sidered, if the horse is to be used for any other than slow work. 



How to know It. — One of the means used is to go into the stall, take 

 the horse bv the head, and make a motion as though to strike him across 

 the side with a stick. The animal will probably spring towards the man- 

 ger, and if a roarer, the peculiar grunt accompan^'ing the habit will be 

 made. Yet it must be admitted that some horses, under the impulse of 

 sudden fear, will grunt. The best test is to put him to speed more 

 severe than usual. If the trial is objected to, be sure there is something 

 wrong, and be sure also that there are no straps about the neck to pre- 

 vent or ease the habit. In addition to the ordinary sound made by 

 roarers, they often, indeed usually, have a loud, hard, sharp cough, be- 

 tween a cough and a roar. If occasioned by laryngitis, this cough will 

 be indicative of the chronic stage of that disease. So a thick-winded 

 horse will have a short, hard, dry cough, which he will give upon making 

 any sudden movement, or upon being struck sharply upon the abdomen. 



What to do- — ^Remedies are of but little avail, except as palliations. In 

 slight cases, and during the earlier stages, swabbing the larynx with a 

 solution of nitrate of silver has given relief. It is prepared by dissolving at 

 the rate of ten grains of nitrate of silver to each ounce of distilled water> 

 and is applied by means of a small, soft sponge fixed on the end of a 

 piece of whalebone, the sponge having a cord attached and longer than 

 the handle, so as to be recovered if it comes off. Pads have been at- 

 tached to the nose-band of the bridle, so as to lie on and compress the 

 false membrane of the nose. These have given relief if the horse is not 

 required to make extra exertion. Firing or blisterins: about the region of 

 the larynx has also been successfully used as a means of relief. 



