CASTRATION OF THE BIRD 



223 



knife or scalpel should be very sharp and the incision made 

 quickly to minimize pain. The upper point of the incision 

 should be about one-half inch from the center of the backbone 

 or vertebrae. The incision should be about one inch long. As 

 a nerve, artery and vein pass along the posterior border of 

 each rib, it is necessary not to cut close to the posterior border 

 but make the incision close to the anterior border of the 

 last rib. •' i 



A second incision is now made in the same wound, this time 

 cutting through the abdominal muscles. Care must be exer- 

 cised not to cut too deep and injure the internal organs. If 

 the peritoneum is not cut this can be broken through by aid 



ir 



Fig. 79. Top of Barrel As An Operating Table. 



of the hook and insert the spreaders. Now tear through the 

 walls of the air sac and push the intestines to one side and 

 the uppermost testis will be in plain view. The testis will 

 appear bean-shaped, about one-half inch long and yellowish- 

 white in color. It lies close to the body of the vertebrae and 

 large abdominal blood vessels, being attached by connective 

 tissue. If it is the desire to remove both testes through the 

 one opening it is necessary to tear through the mesentery of 

 web-like membrane supporting the viscera, care being taken 

 not to make the opening too close to its attachment to the 

 vertebrae or fatal hemorrhage may take place as a result of 

 runturine these delicate vessels. 



If the opening has been properly made the lower testis will 



