290 The Diseases of Animals 



This trouble may follow a local injury to the throat. 

 It is freqaeatly a sequel to distemper. It is also fre- 

 quently seen among race -horses and others that are 

 subjected to severe work that taxes the respiratory 

 powers. It is often hereditary. Some stallions habit- 

 ually transmit this weakness to their colts. Horses 

 with long slender necks seem to be predisposed to this 

 disease. 



The disease comes on gradually; there is a slight 

 roaring or whistling sound, made when the air is taken 

 in (inspired). As the disease progresses, the breathing 

 becomes more difficult and the sounds louder. The 

 sounds are most distinct when the horse is exercised 

 violently. In severe cases, a horse can travel rapidly 

 only a short distance without "choking down." 



Roaring derives little benefit from treatment. In 

 the early stages, repeated light blisters, applied to the 

 larynx, may be beneficial. In case of valuable animals, 

 an expert surgeon can operate upon the larynx in such 

 a manner as to permanently cure a large majority of 

 the cases. A tracheotomy tube can be inserted in the 

 windpipe of a horse used for speed, though it is a tem- 

 porary measure. It cannot be used permanently, on 

 account of the irritation it causes. 



Roaring is sometimes called "broken -wind," but it 

 must not be confounded with heaves, to which that 

 name is also applied. 



