56 
BEFORE the operator proceeds to remove 
the skin, he should place the plumage as 
smooth as possible, and carefully clean it 
from any spot of blood or dirt that may appear 
upon it: a little piece of soft linen rag, or pa- 
per, should he placed in the mouth, which 
should then be sewed or tied up, to prevent 
any blood issuing from it. The bird should 
now be laid on its back, and an incision made 
with a knife along the breast bone, (where 
the feathers divide), as far as the vent, taking 
great care not to cut the flesh: an ivory pa- 
per knife, or the fingers, may then be intro- 
duced, to separate the skin from the breast; 
and some absorbent, as chalk or flour, should 
be applied occasionally to the inside of the skin, 
to prevent its adhering to the body. The thighs 
being gently forced up, the flesh should be cut 
off, leaving the bone quite clean. Theskin may 
now be easily separated from the body down 
to the rump, which must be cut off; then draw 
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