384 DISEASES OF BREATHING. 



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 pace. At 

 the commencement 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 of 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, bred in a country where roaring is common, and which 

 grunts, either when suddenly startled, or when jumping, should be 

 looked upon with great suspicion as to his being a roarer ; 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, of 

 course, the country in which the animal has been bred, should be 

 taken into consideration, and the cause of the grunting. A horse 

 which is perfectly soimd 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 experience. Also, I confess that I can detect 

 no difference between the grunting of roaring, and the grunting 

 of pain. 



" Grunting " is the term applied 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. 



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



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

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

 mouth and drawing back the 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 

 years old and very rarely attacks him, in the first instance, after 

 he is seven. 



