158 Veterinary Medicine. 



If the horse is, at the time of examination, the subject of a 

 cold, sore throat, or other acute disease of the air passages no 

 importance is to be attached to any noise made in breathing, but 

 he cannot be pronounced a sound horse, until, this malady having 

 passed off, it is found on careful examination that no such sequel 

 has been left. 



Among the most puzzling cases are those in which the roaring 

 occurs with periods of intermission. If the horse has been fed 

 for a short time on vetches this may account for its temporary 

 access, and unless the same feeding is again allowed a recurrence 

 is not to be looked for. If due to the occasional displacement of 

 a pedunculated tumor of the nose or pharynx and its interfer- 

 ence with the action of the larynx its existence may be recognized 

 by careful examination, diminished current of air through one 

 nostril, etc. But there remain some rare cases in which there 

 are no such appreciable causes, and yet the horse would be pro- 

 nounced sound or unsound as examined at certain intervals. On 

 this subject more information is desirable. 



The following varieties of roaring will be distinguished from 

 that of paralysis by the occurrence of the sound in both acts of ' 

 breathing (expiration and inspiration) : — distortions, tumors or 

 foreign bodies in the nose : tumors about the throat, in the wind- 

 pipe or bronchi : — distortion of the windpipe, from tight reining, 

 fracture or congenital deformity : — and the presence of a false 

 membrane stretching across the windpipe. 



Examination by manipulation, auscultation and percussion 

 along the whole length of the air passages alike during rest and 

 after exercise, may enable one in unusual cases to recognize the 

 structural changes that give rise to roaring. 



Treatment. This has long been considered as hopeless, yet 

 preservative and palliative measures are usually accessible, whilst 

 even cures can be effected in certain conditions. 



Preventive treatment. First may be noticed the rejection for 

 breeding purposes of all animals possessing those conformations 

 of head, neck and chest already referred to as conducing to 

 disease of the air passages or distortion of the larynx or windpipe. 

 Equally ought all roarers to be set aside unless the exciting cause 

 is accidental such as fractures of the nasal bones, of the trachea, 

 the existence of polypi, etc. Stallions that make a harsh noise 



