ANIMAL CASTRATION. 143 



of the index finger of the right hand into the abdo- 

 men, passing it above the intestinal mass and turn- 

 ing towards the dorsal region near the articulation 

 of the last two ribs, where the testicles are felt, 

 prominent at the sub-lumbar region. Then, with 

 the fingers half flexed, the adhesions of the organ are 

 broken off, and the organ, held in the bend of the 

 finger, is brought outside. The second testicle is 

 removed by the same process. If the testicles should 

 slip from the grasp of the finger, the accident is of 

 little account, as they will graft themselves upon the 

 walls of the abdomen, and in time disappear by res- 

 olution. The operation is concluded by the closing 

 of the wound by stitches of interrupted suture, and 

 the healing usually takes place by first intention. 



The operation is performed in the hen in the same 

 manner as with the male bird, the ovaries being 

 found in the lumbar region, from which they are re- 

 moved by the same manipulations that are employed 

 in caponing. 



Young fowls about in their third month, are usually 

 selected as the victims of this epicurean barbarity. 



