The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-09

veterinary, who fitted him out with en- arti-
fetal nose In the neck. This apparatus Is
similar 10 the one described in 1HE CALL,
aud its use has enabled Good Day to reappear
upon the track, where he has since left
many sounder horse far in the rear in q
mad scramble To be first under the wire.
Another artificial breaiher" is the trot-
ting stallion Reception. owned by Frank
Best of Marietta, Ohio. AZ least Rece ption
did breathe by artificial means until few
weeks ago. The horse had been sold to
Mr.. Best with the understanding that he
was "a little thick in his wind" the result
OF an attack OF distemper. but he was known
to be game trotter and. anticipating no
difficulty IN treating the trouble, Mr.. Best
bought him, only to discover, when ii was
too late, that tho animal was a confirmed
"roarer."
Roaring Is an affection Of the breathing
in horse, caused from local Inflammation,
followed by thlckenng of the membranes,
causing distractions in the throat, or from
extension OF the iDfismmatory action OF
strangles to the air passages. A tight bear
ing rein will cause il by producing pecu-
liar distortion of the upper part Of the
windpipe, and the fashonably tight over
check" is responsible for the greater number
Of cases OF this disease IN our equine
friends.
When Mr.. Best discovered that bis stallion
was roarer he had q silver breathing-tube
Inserted into his windpipe midway between
the throat and the base OF the neck. This
continuance afforded him complete relief,
and BY its means he was able to acqut him
self with great credit in a race on July
last. These tubes, however, are not always
to be relied upon. Ii they become clOgged,
as they are apt to do. with an accumulation
OF mucus, the horses breathing is i'm
paired There Is danger. too, of the tube
being disl0dged, permitting foreign sub
stances TO enter the trachea through the
aperture left for insertion Of the instrument
ora nra nh III
tons owner, after due consideration, de-
cded 10 sacrifice his horse, if need be, in an
effort 10 ascertain whether some more per-
manent relief might not be afforded animals
thus afflicted. lnflammatory action having
caused wasting OF the muscles holding in
place the left vocal cord and the cartilage
to which Il was attached, these dropped
over into the alr-passage, producing the
roaring, or loud, sonorous breathing. pro-
yoked by eXertion, such as accelerated pace,
or billclimbing, aud peculiar grooming
sound which the animal makes whenever
an effort IL made to hasten his movements.
Reception was anesthetzed and placed
upon the operating table; an incision was
made into the throat, The over-dropping
cord and cartilage drawn down and dis
sected out, after which the wound was
roperly dressed and given time to heal.
Since bis recovery bis owner claims that
the horse has been severely tested 10 prove
his W nd, and gives no evidence of labored
breathing or roaring.
This is really signal triumph of surgery
upon animals, and through such operations
many mighty racer now retired TO obseur-
ity may yet be spared to further achieve
ment. With the knowledge that scientific
research is bringing to the front we may yet
be able to make over all old horses ''amaist
as weeps the new" Who knows but that
we may even produce the two-minute trot-
ter from the mechanical laboratory?
The American world Is just now es-
pecaIly interested in centrivances OF every
sort, looking to the increased comfort of
that most useful servant OF mantle horse.
A reader OF THE CALL has written me all
the way from Philadelphia. Pa. descrip-
tion of humane contrivance for controlling
a FESTIVE horse. | have not tried the sug-
gestion, but 1t impresses me as likely to be
effective, and is certainly simple and mex
pensiye: The continuance is merely short
piece Of elastic material. so connected with
the driving reins that the latter, buckled
into the lower or lowest slots of a good curb
bit, will have some slack. The elastic
lines are then attached to each central
eye of the bit. While the horse travels
quietly and easily. the elastic straps
are sufficient to guide and control him; but
should he become FESTIVE, begin to pull
upon the bit or attempt to run sharp pull
upon the reins stretches the elastic straps
until the slack OF the reins proper is tight
ened, when the leverage OF the curb bit
comes into play, and If the bars are long
enough to give good purchase the horse
must stop and obey. Such an arrangement
of the reins ought to work very satisfacto-
rily. 1t is easily adjusted. and the driver
has the consolation of knowing that his
horses mouth Is comfortable, while at the
same time there is great satisfaction in
knowing that In the event of any insubor-
dination on his part the means OF contrUll-
ing him are at hand. Those electrical and
other con trivanceS that aim to control
horse by shocking his nerves or shutting off
his wind are cowardly and understandable,
and not likely to be regarded with favor by
lovers of the noble animal.
Miss RUSSELL.