Animal Castration 



149 



3. With knife in right hand make abdominal incision by incis- 

 ing the muscles in last intercostal space (between last two ribs). 

 Since the intercostal artery passes along the posterior (back) bor- 

 der of the ribs, this incision should closely follow the anterior 

 (front) border of the last rib. The first incision includes all layers 

 of the abdominal wall with exception of the peritoneum. 



4. Insert spreaders and spread the ribs apart sufficiently to ad- 

 mit scoop or forceps. 



5. Knick peritoneum. This will open the abdominal cavity. 



6. The testicles are now located and if both are to be removed 

 from one abdominal incision the lowermost one should be removed 

 first, otherwise the hemorrhage incident to removing the upper one 

 would interfere with removal of the lower. There is not serious 

 objection to operating from both sides, in which event the upper- 

 most testicle is removed first. 



Fig. 124 — Diagrammatic Illustration Showing Position of Testicles and the Method of 

 Their Removal. A, Right Testicle; B, Left Testicle; C, Scoop Applied to Spermatic 

 Cord; D, Vertebral Column; E, Incision in Last Intercostal Space; F, Spreader. 



